HB 55 is an appropriations bill that allocates funding for Alaska's integrated comprehensive mental health program for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides specific funding amounts for services including the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, community residential centers, substance abuse treatment, and children's mental health programs under the Department of Health, Department of Family and Community Services, and Department of Corrections. The bill directly affects state mental health service providers by covering their operating and capital expenses through designated budget line items. The funding becomes effective July 1, 2025, supporting existing mental health care delivery across the state.
SB 172 establishes Alaska’s participation in the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, allowing licensed occupational therapists and assistants from participating states to practice in Alaska without obtaining a separate Alaska license. The bill amends existing licensure laws to clarify who may provide occupational therapy services (e.g., students, federal employees, or those with compact privileges) and requires the licensing board to implement the compact. Key provisions enable cross-state practice while preserving each state’s regulatory authority to protect public health and safety. This affects occupational therapy professionals seeking to work across state lines and patients accessing services in multiple jurisdictions.
HB 147 allows licensed naturopaths in Alaska to prescribe prescription drugs under a temporary endorsement while supervised by a physician. To qualify, naturopaths must pass a pharmacology exam and meet department requirements, with supervision from a physician who has prescribed drugs for at least five years. After one year of supervised practice, the supervising physician can recommend full endorsement to the department, enabling the naturopath to prescribe without supervision. The bill also requires naturopaths to complete 60 hours of continuing education (including 20 hours on pharmacotherapy) every two years to renew their license.
SB 178 expands eligibility for early intervention services under Alaska's medical assistance program to include children under age 3 who are at risk of developmental delays or disabilities, not just those already diagnosed. It adds "early intervention services for children eligible under AS 47.20.080" to the list of optional medical assistance services and requires the department to develop a state plan for these services. The bill also mandates training programs for paraprofessionals serving these children and establishes requirements for monitoring service effectiveness. This directly affects infants and toddlers with developmental concerns, their families, and providers of early intervention services in Alaska.
HB 49 raises Alaska's minimum age for purchasing, possessing, or exchanging tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, and nicotine products from 19 to 21 years old. It prohibits individuals under 21 from possessing these items, with exceptions for FDA-approved nicotine cessation products prescribed by a healthcare provider or provided through state-approved programs. The bill also updates vending machine rules, allowing them only in specific licensed venues with strict supervision or in controlled workplace areas requiring clear warning signs. These changes aim to reduce youth access to nicotine products while maintaining medical use pathways.
SB 84 is a budget bill that modifies existing state funding allocations for fiscal year 2025 (July 2024-June 2025). It adjusts specific line items across multiple state agencies, including $4.1 million for Corrections' Population Management, $228.6 million for Medicaid Services, and $30,000 for the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. The bill reallocates money within current budget structures without creating new programs or changing tax policies. It affects how state departments distribute existing funds during the upcoming fiscal year.
HB 161 requires most Alaska employers to provide paid sick leave: businesses with 50+ employees must offer 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked (capped at 56 hours yearly), while smaller businesses (fewer than 15 employees) must offer 1 hour per 30 hours (capped at 40 hours yearly). Employees can use this leave for their own medical care, family health needs, or domestic violence situations, with accrual starting at hire or July 1, 2025. Unused leave carries over annually but cannot exceed the yearly caps. The law applies to private sector workers and allows cashing out accrued leave upon request.
HB 85 is a budget bill that adjusts funding allocations for Alaska state agencies during the 2025 fiscal year (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025). It specifies exact dollar amounts for departments like the Department of Commerce ($30,000 for Oil and Gas Conservation), Corrections ($4.1 million for Population Management), Health ($3.1 million for Behavioral Health), and Medicaid ($228.6 million). The bill reassigns, adds, or removes funds within existing budgets but does not create new programs or change laws. It directly affects state agencies by determining their available operating funds for the upcoming fiscal year.
SB 189 requires employers with 50 or more employees in Alaska to provide paid sick leave, mandating 1 hour of leave for every 30 hours worked (capped at 56 hours annually). Smaller employers (fewer than 15 employees) must offer 1 hour per 30 hours worked but are capped at 40 hours annually. The leave can be used for personal illness, family care, preventative health, or safety-related needs like domestic violence, and accrues from hire or July 1, 2025, carrying over yearly. Employers with existing paid leave policies meeting these standards are exempt from providing additional leave.
HB 138 creates a $0.98 monthly surcharge on all wireless phone numbers and landline telephone access lines in Alaska. Phone companies must collect this fee separately from regular bills and send the funds to a new "behavioral health crisis services fund" within 60 days. The money in this fund will be used to support Alaska's 988 mental health crisis hotline system, including staffing, technology, and infrastructure improvements. This surcharge applies to every residential and business phone service in the state, with specific rules to prevent double-charging for multiple lines.
