Legislative Assembly of Alberta

September 24, 2007

Public hearings held on Bills 31 and 41

Edmonton—The Standing Committee on Community Services invites Albertans to speak during an October 1, 2007 public hearing on issues surrounding Bill 31: Mental Health Amendment Act, 2007 and Bill 41: Health Professions Statutes Amendment Act, 2007.

“Many of these issues affect a lot of people in this province,” said Richard Marz, MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills and Acting Chair of the Standing Committee on Community Services. “We have already received a significant response from people about these issues and value what Albertans have to say as we work through this process.”

The public hearing in Edmonton is scheduled to take place at the Legislature Annex (4th Floor, 9718 – 107 Street) on October 1 beginning at 9:30 a.m.

People are asked to contact the Committee Clerk before the end of the day on September 26 if they wish to make a presentation. The length of the hearings will be determined by the number of scheduled presentations.

The Standing Committee on Community Services is one of four all-party committees established by the Assembly this spring. Among other responsibilities this 11-Member committee is holding a public hearing into issues surrounding Bill 31: Mental Health Amendment Act, 2007 and Bill 41: Health Professions Statutes Amendment Act, 2007.

Bill 31: Mental Health Amendment Act, 2007

This Bill amends the Mental Health Act to provide for: the introduction of community treatment orders, changes to the criteria for involuntary admission to facilities and a new requirement for treatment recommendations when patients are discharged.

Bill 41: Health Professions Statutes Amendment Act, 2007

This Bill includes amendments to the Health Professions Act that will require the reporting of public health issues and will provide for increased governance support for small professional colleges.

The Bill also includes amendments to both the Health Professions Act and the Medical Profession Act that will authorize the Minister to give direction to a council on matters related to health, safety or quality assurance.

Copies of the Bills as well as information about the Committee can be found at www.assembly.ab.ca/communityservices

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Richard Marz, MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills
Acting Chair of the Standing Committee on Community Services

Legislature Office
#319 Legislature Building, 10800 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 415-0994 Fax: (780) 422-5628

For general information about the Committee

Corinne Dacyshyn, Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Committee Clerk, Standing Committee on Community Services
Phone: (780) 427-1348

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