Criminal Justice in Alaska

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 2, 2025

HB 118: An Act establishing the Council on Human and Sex Trafficking; and providing for an effective date.

HB 118 establishes the Council on Human and Sex Trafficking within Alaska's Department of Public Safety. The council will standardize data collection on trafficking incidents, distribute state and federal grants to local service providers, and coordinate efforts across 7 state agencies (including Health, Corrections, and Education) to improve victim services and public awareness. It directly affects victims of trafficking, local service organizations receiving grants, and state agencies working on trafficking prevention. Key provisions include creating a unified data system, requiring annual reports to the governor and legislature, and mandating collaboration with advocacy groups and survivors. The bill focuses on structural coordination rather than new funding or penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 89: An Act relating to gun violence protective orders; relating to the crime of violating a protective order; relating to a central registry for protective orders; relating to the powers of district judges and magistrates; amending Rules 4 and 65, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 9, Alaska Rules of Administration; and providing for an effective date.

HB 89 creates a new type of protective order specifically targeting gun violence risks, allowing peace officers or household members to petition courts for orders preventing individuals deemed a danger from possessing firearms. It establishes a mandatory central registry for all protective orders (including domestic violence and gun-related orders), requiring law enforcement to enter orders into the system within 24 hours and maintaining records even after expiration. The bill clarifies that violating protective orders - especially those restricting firearm access - constitutes a criminal offense, with specific provisions detailing when violations occur. It directly affects individuals subject to such orders, law enforcement officers, and courts handling these petitions. The law amends Alaska’s civil procedure rules to implement these changes, effective upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms

passed · Alaska · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 62: An Act relating to sexual assault examination kits; establishing the sexual assault examination kit tracking system; and providing for an effective date.

HB 62 establishes a state-wide tracking system for sexual assault examination kits (also called "rape kits") to ensure they are properly collected, stored, and handled throughout the criminal justice process. The bill requires law enforcement and healthcare providers to log each kit's status - such as collection, testing, and storage - into a centralized digital system, preventing loss or delays. This directly affects sexual assault victims (who receive more reliable evidence handling), law enforcement agencies, and prosecutors, ensuring kits are available for investigation and court use. The tracking system aims to improve case resolution by reducing administrative errors and ensuring evidence is not misplaced or overlooked. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Finance Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

signed · Alaska · House Aug 19, 2025

HB 35: An Act relating to the use and possession of electronic devices by prisoners; and relating to identification cards.

HB 35 restricts electronic device use for prisoners in Alaska state correctional facilities. It prohibits most personal devices like computers, tablets, and VCRs, allowing only approved uses for rehabilitation, education, legal research, or health care. The bill also limits access to certain media (e.g., R-rated movies), specific equipment (like free weights), and restricts food spending comparisons to military personnel. It directly affects incarcerated individuals in state facilities and aims to enhance security by controlling prohibited items and activities. The law became effective November 5, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

in committee · Alaska · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 62: An Act relating to the board of parole; and providing for an effective date.

SB 62 amends Alaska's parole board structure to require seven members with specific expertise: a healthcare professional, a crime victim advocate, an addiction recovery specialist, and a tribal representative. It mandates an annual public report detailing parole hearing outcomes, including demographic data, reasons for denials, and individual board members' voting records. The report must be submitted to the legislature, shared with the Alaska Criminal Justice Data Analysis Commission, and published online. This bill directly affects parole board operations and increases transparency in parole decision-making for inmates. The changes apply to all parole hearings conducted under Alaska law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 69: An Act relating to sexual assault examination kits; establishing the sexual assault examination kit tracking system; and providing for an effective date.

SB 69 requires law enforcement and prosecutors to provide victims of felonies and specific class A misdemeanors (including domestic violence or crimes against a person) with written information about the Office of Victims' Rights, including its address, phone number, and website. For unemancipated minor victims, this notice must also be given to their parent or guardian. The bill's title mentions a sexual assault examination kit tracking system, but the provided text only describes this victims' notification amendment - no tracking system provisions are included in the excerpt. The amendment directly affects crime victims and their families by ensuring access to support resources.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Victims' Rights Violent Crime

in committee · Alaska · House Jan 24, 2025

HB 66: An Act relating to pretrial services supervision agreements.

HB 66 updates Alaska's pretrial services program to standardize risk assessments for defendants awaiting trial. It requires the commissioner to use objective, data-driven tools to evaluate the risk of failing to appear in court or rearrest, and mandates recommendations to courts about release decisions. The bill also allows municipalities to contract with the state for pretrial supervision services (for local ordinance violations) and establishes fee regulations for these agreements, directly affecting defendants, pretrial officers, and local governments.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

in committee · Alaska · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 7: An Act prohibiting the use of chokeholds by peace officers; and relating to justification of use of force by peace officers.

SB 7 prohibits Alaska peace officers from using any restraint that blocks breathing or blood circulation (like carotid restraints or tracheal chokes) unless deadly force is legally authorized. It directly affects police officers by restricting specific chokehold techniques during arrests. The bill adds this restriction to existing use-of-force laws, clarifying that such restraints are only permitted when deadly force is already justified under the law. This change aims to prevent injuries or deaths caused by breathing-impaired restraints during police encounters.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 71: An Act relating to pretrial services supervision agreements.

SB 71 requires Alaska's commissioner to establish a standardized pretrial services program that conducts risk assessments for defendants detained after arrest and provides court recommendations on pretrial release. The bill allows the commissioner to contract with municipalities to provide pretrial supervision specifically for defendants charged only with municipal violations (e.g., local ordinance offenses), with fees set by regulation. Pretrial services officers will handle release violations, make diversion recommendations, and refer defendants to substance abuse treatment programs. This bill directly affects defendants awaiting trial, courts, and local municipalities that may use these services.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 81: An Act restricting the release of certain records of convictions; and providing for an effective date.

HB 81 restricts the release of conviction records for specific drug possession cases in Alaska. It prohibits criminal justice agencies from sharing records of convictions under Alaska Statute 11.71.060 (possession of less than one ounce of a schedule VIA controlled substance) if the person was 21 or older at the time, had no other convictions in that case, and requested non-disclosure. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and will expire January 1, 2028. This directly affects individuals meeting these criteria by allowing them to prevent their records from being publicly released.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

All criminal justice bills