MINUTES OF MEETING

      ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

      Sixty-seventh Session

      June 15, 1993

 

 

 

The Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services was called to order by Chairman Jan Evans at 2:20 p.m., Tuesday, June 15, 1993, in Room 330 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada.  Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda.

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

      Mrs. Jan Evans, Chairman

      Mrs. Vivian L. Freeman, Vice Chairman

      Ms. Kathy M. Augustine

      Ms. Marcia de Braga

      Mr. James A. Gibbons

      Mr. Dean A. Heller

      Mr. William A. Petrak

      Mrs. Gene W. Segerblom

      Ms. Stephanie Smith

      Mr. Louis A. Toomin

      Mr. Wendell P. Williams

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

      None

 

GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:

 

      None

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

      Kerry Carroll Davis, Research Analyst

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

      Bruce Alder, Division of Child and Family Services; and Steve Wood, LCB Audit Division.

 

 

Mrs. Evans reviewed the status of several measures still pending in the committee.

 

SENATE BILL 411   Allows use of certain benefits paid to child to pay portion of cost of care and support of children in Nevada children's homes.

 

Bruce Alder, former superintendent, Northern Nevada Children's Home, explained SB 411 came out as a result of an audit report which found that the children's home was using social security funds inappropriately.  The intent of the bill was to allow money, which came from social security benefits, to pay for the support of the children.  This would be consistent with policies in other divisions of the Department of Human Resources.

 

Mr. Gibbons noted the bill made a significant change regarding payments to foster parents and asked what if VA benefits were in excess of foster care payments.  Mr. Alder responded any money in excess of what would be required would go into a special trust account maintained by the Division of Child and Family Services and would be given over to the child.

 

Ms. Augustine called attention to page 2, item 4 and asked for a clarification.  Mr. Alder noted this was existing language and would need to be addressed by Mr. Sarb.

 

Mr. Heller inquired as to the status of the Northern and Southern Nevada Children's Homes.  Mrs. Evans replied the Northern Nevada Home would no longer exist and the Southern Nevada Home would be privatized.

 

There was brief discussion regarding whether the provision of SB 411 would still apply.

 

Ms. Augustine asked if this bill applied to St. Jude's Ranch for Children which was a private, non-profit organization.  Mr. Alder said no.

 

Mrs. Evans indicated there would be no action taken on the bill until Mr. Sarb was available to address some of the committee's concerns.

 

Steve Wood, Chief Deputy Legislative Auditor, clarified the discrepancy was identified during the audit of the Children's Home and has since been corrected.  The bill originated from the legislative commission in an effort to change the existing law.

 

Mrs. Evans closed the hearing on SB 411.

 

      WORK SESSION

 

Mrs. Evans asked for a subcommittee report on Senate Bill 60.

 

SB 60Expands requirement for testing persons arrested for certain sexual offenses for exposure to sexually transmitted diseases.

 

Ms. de Braga indicated a second amendment had been proposed.  Mrs. Evans suggested that the new language be brought back to the full committee.

 

There being no further business to come before committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:42 p.m.

 

      RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

                             

      CONNIE CAMPBELL

      Committee Secretary

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Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services

June 15, 1993

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