MINUTES OF THE

SENATE Committee on Human Resources and Facilities

 

Seventy-First Session

March 26, 2001

 

 

The Senate Committee on Human Resources and Facilitieswas called to order by Chairman Raymond D. Rawson, at 2:46 p.m., on Monday, March 26, 2001, in Room 2135 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada.  Exhibit A is the Agenda.  Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.  All exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman

Senator Maurice Washington, Vice Chairman

Senator Mark Amodei

Senator Bernice Mathews

Senator Michael Schneider

Senator Valerie Wiener

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

H. Pepper Sturm, Committee Policy Analyst

Patricia Di Domenico, Committee Secretary

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

Senator Randolph J. Townsend (Excused)

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Howard Haas, President, AH-HA Consulting Corporation

Alex Aitcheson, Director, AH-HA Consulting Corporation

Annie Rees, Lobbyist, Nevada Bail Bonds Association

Valerie Dimick, Student, School of Social Work, University of Nevada Las Vegas

Mark J. Nichols, Lobbyist, National Association of Social Workers

 

Chairman Rawson opened the meeting on Senate Concurrent Resolution     (S.C.R.) 18 and introduced Howard Haas, President, AH-HA Consulting Corporation.

 

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 18:  Urges and encourages various persons, organizations, agencies, governmental entities and educational institutions to take certain actions to promote school safety and reduce juvenile violence. (BDR R-198)

 

Mr. Haas submitted for the committee’s information a brochure titled “Get Connected” (Exhibit C) which highlighted the corporation’s work with children.  He testified about the recent wave of “kids killing kids” in the nation.  Mr. Haas said, as a parent and educator, the reasons people gave for youth violence did not make sense, and then he explained that the purpose for the trip cross-country was to talk to the youth of our nation.  Mr. Haas stressed that they were searching for the causes of youth violence.  He claimed a common thread among the children that committed the violence was “they had fallen through the cracks.”

 

Mr. Haas said most communities feel violence happens in other neighborhoods.  He pointed out that agencies and communities needed to work together so that the youth does not continue to “fall between the cracks.”  Mr. Haas emphasized that schools should not have the total responsibility of handle violence; it needs to be a collaborative undertaking.

  

Alex Aitcheson, Director, AH-HA Consulting Corporation, urged the wide-spread announcement of S.C.R. 18.  He expounded on the advantage of various partnerships such as: law enforcement, community services, and schools working together to help students.  Mr. Aitcheson acknowledged there was federal funding available for after school programs, which have proven very effective.  He insisted that counseling for children at the elementary level was necessary on a nationwide basis.  Mr. Aitcheson explained that by the time children get to middle school the problem is already in existence. 

 

Mr. Aitcheson commented that Nevada’s schools are growing at a rapid rate, and there is an urgent need for additional school counselors for problems other than academics.  He noted that the collaboration with outside resources in the community is most important.

 

Mr. Haas testified that collaboration between schools and community entities could have prevented the past tragedies from happening.  He declared            S.C.R. 18 would create collaboration in every community in Nevada, so there would be less instances of youth violence.

Mr. Aitcheson emphasized his support for gun reduction.  He told the committee that youths related guns and drugs as an inevitable part of life, and that nothing could be done to make a difference. 

 

Mr. Haas maintained the youth in this nation have easy access to guns and can purchase one for $50. 

 

Senator Washington commented on racial profiling or other stigmas that can influence a child throughout their lives.  Mr. Aitcheson outlined ways to overcome such obstacles such as: relationships with adults, job skills and experience, counseling, and community service.  He expounded on involving the youth in the community as part of the solution to raise their self-esteem.  Mr. Aitcheson explained that “labeling” a child is detrimental.

 

Mr. Haas defined leadership as a key component in schools.  He elucidated on the need to look at each child as an individual.  Mr. Haas pointed out one problem was that all children are expected to fit in academically, and when they cannot achieve that level of expectancy they will drop out of school.

 

Senator Washington asserted one school system does not fit the needs of all children, and “labeling” children is harmful.  Mr. Haas agreed, and said the community was the key to changing the situation.

 

Mr. Aitcheson stated “kids to help kids” is a vital part of the solution.

 

Senator Mathews asked if there were data concerning the correlation between school violence and student dropouts.  Mr. Haas responded that it was difficult to follow the statistics of dropouts because of the transient population in Nevada. 

 

Senator Mathews questioned whether it would be beneficial to have both social workers and counselors in schools.  Mr. Haas replied children would not “fall through the cracks” if both are present.  He said there were children who do not have an adult to talk with; therefore, having a social worker and counselor would help that situation.  Mr. Haas remarked that violence was now in the suburbs, whereas in the past, it had always been in the intercity. 

Senator Wiener read her prepared testimony (Exhibit D), stressing that            S.C.R. 18 would promote school safety, and reduce juvenile violence.  She urged the committee’s support for S.C.R. 18.

Chairman Rawson requested Senator Wiener highlight the programs that have been effective with children.  Senator Wiener named programs such as: Visiting Nurses; Blue Prints for Violence Prevention; Safe Schools Project; Hands Are Not For Hurting; Operations Cease-Fire; Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.). 

 

Chairman Rawson suggested the committee be given a list and description of the various programs.  Senator Wiener replied that a list of the programs would be provided to the committee.

 

Furthering the discussion on S.C.R. 18, Chairman Rawson asked the committee about whether they had experienced fear as a student.  All members of the committee responded to the question. 

 

Annie Rees, Lobbyist, Nevada Bail Bonds Association, testified in favor of S.C.R. 18.  She told the committee, as a bail bondswoman, she has witnessed children who have “fallen through the cracks.”  Ms. Rees stressed the need for children to have contact with adults.  She related her children’s experiences of fear and violence in school. 

 

Ms. Rees commented that community involvement and schools that provide additional counseling are valuable tools to help children avoid violence.  Also, she stressed the clergy should take an active role in the prevention and intervention of child violence.  Ms. Rees emphasized listening to children could teach us how to help them.  She pointed out not all children can go to college, but we need to encourage and provide avenues for their particular skills and talents.

 

Chairman Rawson recommended getting a fiscal note for S.C.R. 18 to enable publicizing the full context of the bill in newspapers throughout the state. 

 

Valerie Dimick, Student, School of Social Work, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, stated she works with children who have ”slipped through the cracks.”  She told the committee her experience is with children who are dropouts, indigent, and Hispanic or African American.  Ms. Dimick stressed the children’s need for someone to care about them. 

 

Ms. Dimick testified she has researched many of the programs named in    S.C.R. 18, and has found the programs help to drop the rate of children’s violence and save the taxpayers money.

 

Senator Wiener commented on an existing law permitting the court to order a youthful offender, for a first offense in a nonviolent crime, to a supervised program in recreation or the arts.  In addition, there is a program where children can learn job skills, and make restitution for their offenses; half the money earned goes to the victim, and half is kept as an earned wage.  Ms. Dimick remarked that both programs were good, but were not available due to overcrowding in schools.

 

Mark Nichols, Lobbyist, Association of Social Workers, voiced support of   S.C.R. 18. 

 

Chairman Rawson closed the hearing on S.C.R. 18, and opened a work session on Senate Bill (S.B.) 74.

 

H. Pepper Sturm, Committee Policy Analyst, Research Division, Legislative Council Bureau, told the committee there were eight bills in the “Work Session Document.” (Exhibit E) 

 

SENATE BILL 74:  Clarifies provisions regarding regulation of residential facilities             for groups. (BDR 40-963)

 

Mr. Sturm said S.B. 74 included the term “assisted living facility” for the first time, and there was testimony that S.B. 74 would create problems with the state plan.  He explained the suggested amendment changes the implementation date to July 1, 2003.

 

SENATOR WASHINGTON MOVED TO AMEND AND ADOPT AS AMENDED S.C.R. 18.

 

SENATOR WIENER SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

THE MOTION CARRIED.  (SENATOR TOWNSEND WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)

 

*****

Mr. Sturm said Senate Bill (S.B.) 112 was requested by the Department of Human Resources and there were no proposed amendments.

 

SENATE BILL 112:  Revises certain provisions concerning amelioration of causes    of poverty to conform to changes in federal law. (BDR 38-535)

 

Chairman Rawson asked whether there was a fiscal note for S.B. 112.  Mr. Sturm responded there was no fiscal attached. 

 

Senator Washington requested time to review the concerns of a constituent concerning S.B. 112.  Chairman Rawson suggested that any proposed amendments should be submitted for review, and postponed actions on S.B. 112.

 

Mr. Sturm spoke on Senate Bill (S.B.) 114, and told the committee there had been no opposing testimony and no proposed amendments.

 

SENATE BILL 114:  Revises provisions governing bonding requirements of               certain postsecondary educational institutions. (BDR 34-399)

 

            SENATOR WIENER MOVED TO DO PASS AND PLACE S.B. 114 ON THE    CONSENT CALENDER.

 

            SENATOR AMODEI SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

            THE MOTION CARRIED.  (SENATOR TOWNSEND WAS ABSENT FOR    THE VOTE.)

 

*****

 

Continuing, Mr. Sturm addressed Senate Bill (S.B.) 115 and said, the amendment “Transfers the ‘dangerous weapon’ clause from section 1, subsection 1, to section 1, subsection 2 of the bill making the bill more consistent with the Federal Gun Free Schools Act of 1994.”

SENATE BILL 115:  Provides exception under certain circumstances to             requirement that certain pupils be suspended or expelled. (BDR 34-            381)

 

            SENATOR WASHINGTON MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS AS AMENDED S.B. 115.

 

            SENATOR AMODEI SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

            THE MOTION CARRIED.  (SENATOR TOWNSEND WAS ABSENT FOR    THE VOTE.)

 

*****

 

Mr. Sturm presented Senate Bill (S.B.) 135, and said concerns were raised through testimony, which prompted the amendments proposed.

 

SENATE BILL 135:  Makes various changes concerning veterans’ homes.               (BDR 37-1032)

 

He noted the first amendment clarifies that each veterans’ home in the state will have its own administrator; and the second amendment provides for the designation of funds from property tax and vehicle privilege tax from which veterans’ have the option to designate to the gift account for veterans’ homes.  Chairman Rawson asked whether adopting this amendment would cause a fiscal effect on the state.  Mr. Sturm responded the only effect is the place where the money is kept.

 

            SENATOR WIENER MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS AS AMENDED             S.B.135.

 

            SENATOR WASHINGTON SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

            THE MOTION CARRIED.  (SENATOR TOWNSEND WAS ABSENT FOR    THE VOTE.)

 

*****

 

Mr. Sturm stated there were no amendments proposed for Senate Bill 223.

SENATE BILL 223:  Revises provisions governing private elementary and             secondary educational institutions. (BDR 34-1151)

 

            SENATOR WASHINGTON MOVED TO DO PASS AND PLACE S.B. 223    ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.

 

            SENATOR AMODEI SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

            THE MOTION CARRIED.  (SENATOR TOWNSEND WAS ABSENT FOR    THE VOTE.)

 

*****

 

Mr. Sturm told the committee Senate Bill (S.B.) 300 “technically abolishes the bureau of alcohol and drug abuse of the department of human resources, and transfers the powers and duties of the bureau to the health division of the department of human resources.”  He said attachment D, under tab D of the “Work Session Document” (Exhibit E), was a conflict notice.

 

SENATE BILL 300:  Abolishes bureau of alcohol and drug abuse of department             of human resources and transfers powers and duties of bureau to health             division of department of human resources. (BDR 40-538)

 

            SENATOR WASHINGTON MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS AS             AMENDED S.B. 300.

 

            SENATOR WIENER SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

            THE MOTION CARRIED.  (SENATOR MATHEWS VOTED NO.            SENATOR TOWNSEND WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)

 

*****

 

Concluding, Mr. Sturm presented Senate Concurrent Resolution (S.C.R.) 7 with no proposed amendments.

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 7:  Encourages Family Resource Centers             to work closely with Aging Services Division of Department of Human             Resources to provide information to public regarding services available for             senior citizens. (BDR R-503)

 

            SENATOR WIENER MOVED TO ADOPT S.C.R. 7.

 

            SENATOR MATHEWS SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

            THE MOTION CARRIED.  (SENATOR TOWNSEND WAS ABSENT FOR    THE VOTE.)

 

*****

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m.

 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED

 

 

 

Patricia Vardakis,

Committee Secretary

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

                       

Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman

 

 

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