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HB 319
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Legislative
Information 
May 19, 2008
ASDHA Members,
The Alaska Legislature officially adjourned on Sunday, April 13, 2008. It has been another busy legislative session on bills related to oral healthcare. As many of you are aware, the ASDHA has been lobbying legislators on House Bill 136 (HB 136)—A bill that expands the scope of practice for dental hygienists to include restorative functions, general supervision of local anesthesia, and collaborative practice. It moved rapidly last session and left us with few steps to complete this session. The Senate Finance Committee was the last committee of referral for HB 136, but was unfortunately a large “black hole” where bills seemed to pile up. We lobbied for a hearing without any results for a significant portion of the legislative session.
Along with HB 136 was HB 319, a bill establishing restorative functions and coronal polishing for dental assistants. The ASDHA monitored and provided input that did lead to some improvements in HB 319 as it moved through the House and Senate.
In early April, HB 136 was merged into HB 319 in hopes of a joint effort by the Alaska State Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Alaska Dental Society to get a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee. Not too long after the bills were merged a hearing was scheduled in Senate Finance. It passed through the Senate Finance Committee and was then followed by a Senate vote and a concurrence vote in the House on April 11th. So, it is exciting to announce that HB 319 passed both the House and Senate! Our last stop is the Governor’s desk for a signature.
After Governor Palin’s signature, HB 319 will go to the Alaska Board of Dental Examiners for regulations that will further govern the statute changes. I will try to keep you up to date as things progress. This is a very exciting time in our profession and I am excited to be a part of it! I truly appreciate those of you that were able to participate in the legislative process….it definitely had its twists and turns!
Thank you,
Gail Walden, RDH
ASDHA Legislative Chair
(907) 354-0133
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