A highly controversial bill, which critics say will undermine the fundamental rights of parents, has moved to the Alaska State House Rules Committee, where it could soon be scheduled for a final vote on the floor.

On March 9, the Democrat-controlled Health & Social Services Committee advanced House Bill 232 along a partisan line vote.

The legislation would give mental health counselors access to minors without parental knowledge or consent. This would include sessions that deal with gender-identity and sexual orientation. Introduced by vocal LGBTQ activist, Rep. Andrew Gray (D-Anchorage), the legislation mirrors wording contained in House Bill 36 and Senate Bill 90.

Proponents of such measures include numerous LGBTQ activist organizations that believe states should lower age-of-consent laws to give counselors access to minors without informing parents who might otherwise object.

If these bills pass, parental rights advocates are concerned that school-based counselors and gender clinics, such as Anchorage’s Identity Health Clinic, would be empowered to facilitate a minor’s gender transition while keeping parents in the dark.

With HB 232 now advanced to the Rules Committee, it is poised for a floor vote, as this committee serves as the final gatekeeper with authority to schedule legislation for consideration by the full body. Not all bills that reach the Rules Committee make it to the floor, however, as many remain there indefinitely. Additionally, the Rules Committee can hold its own hearings, propose amendments, or even create a rewritten substitute version of the bill.

If the bill is scheduled for a full vote, it will be read on the House floor, where members can then debate and offer amendments.

TAKING ACTION

— Read the proposed Alaska bills: HB 232 and SB 90 and HB 36.

— All members of the House Rules Committee, where HB 232 is currently sitting, can be contacted at this email: House.Rules@akleg.gov.

— Click here to contact the House Rules Chair Louise Stutes.

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