Criminal Justice in Alaska

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 384: An Act relating to the definition of 'victim counseling center' for disclosure of certain communications concerning sexual assault or domestic violence.

This bill updates the legal definition of a "victim counseling center" in Alaska to include private organizations, military-operated groups, and local or tribal agencies that primarily help victims of sexual assault or domestic violence. The law ensures these centers remain independent by explicitly excluding any organization affiliated with law enforcement, prosecutors, or the state government. By clarifying which entities qualify as independent counseling centers, the bill affects how communications made to these groups are handled regarding sexual assault and domestic violence cases. The changes apply to offenses and communications occurring on or after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Violent Crime

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 270: An Act relating to grand juries; amending Rules 5(e), 6, and 6.1, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; repealing Rules 6.1(b)(2) and (3), Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

SB 270 amends Alaska's Rules of Criminal Procedure to clarify and strengthen grand jury operations. It requires at least two alternate jurors for each grand jury (Section 1), mandates courts to provide written instructions on grand jury laws (Section 2), and explicitly states grand juries may investigate matters affecting public safety - excluding private civil claims (Sections 3-4). The bill also requires jurors who know of a crime to disclose it to fellow jurors and prosecutors (Section 5), and allows hearsay evidence in grand jury proceedings with proper notice to the jury (Section 10). These changes apply to all Alaska grand juries handling criminal investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 236: An Act creating a veteran sentencing program; relating to release procedures; amending Rules 35 and 43, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

SB 236 creates a veteran sentencing program in Alaska for eligible veterans charged with certain misdemeanors or class C felonies. It requires police to ask about veteran status at arrest and courts to inform defendants about the program at their first court appearance. Veterans with military-related mental or physical health issues that contributed to their offense may qualify for this program, allowing courts to substitute probation, treatment, or community service for standard sentencing. The bill amends criminal procedure rules to implement these changes, directly affecting veterans in the state's justice system who meet the eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Sentencing Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

in committee · Alaska · House May 1, 2026

HB 299: An Act creating a veteran sentencing program; relating to release procedures; amending Rules 35 and 43, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

HB 299 creates a veteran sentencing program in Alaska for eligible veterans facing misdemeanor charges. It requires law enforcement to ask arrested individuals about veteran status and mandates courts to inform defendants about the program at their first court appearance. Eligible veterans - those with military-related mental or physical conditions contributing to their offense - may have their convictions set aside or misdemeanor charges reduced under court-approved terms. The bill amends Alaska's criminal procedure rules to establish this pathway, directly affecting veterans who qualify under these criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Sentencing Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

in committee · Alaska · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 231: An Act making supplemental appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; amending appropriations; capitalizing funds; and providing for an effective date.

SB 231 is a funding bill that allocates supplemental appropriations to specific state agencies for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides additional funds for programs like the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission ($40,900), Corrections' Population Management ($20 million), and Education's Alaska State Council on the Arts ($12,900). The bill does not create new policies or programs but adjusts existing budget allocations within the state's general fund. It directly affects state agencies by authorizing them to use these specific funds for their designated purposes during the 2025-2026 budget period.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 349: An Act relating to civil liability for depriving a person of a right, privilege, or immunity secured by the United States Constitution.

HB 349 creates a new civil remedy in Alaska for individuals whose constitutional rights (under federal or state law) were violated or interfered with by a federal official acting under official authority. It allows these individuals to sue for damages and court orders (like injunctions) in Alaska’s superior court within two years of the violation. The bill directly affects Alaskans who experience such constitutional violations and sets the procedural rules for these lawsuits, including the two-year filing deadline.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Tags Civil Liberties

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 250: An Act establishing the crime of wearing a mask in public while acting as a peace officer; and providing for an effective date.

HB 250 makes it a class B misdemeanor for peace officers in Alaska to wear masks covering their face during public interactions while performing official duties, unless specific exceptions apply. These exceptions include undercover assignments, wearing face shields designed for protection, medical masks with a physician's certification, or masks for smoke exposure. The law directly affects police officers, sheriffs, and other peace officers who interact with the public in their official roles. It takes effect immediately upon enactment and does not apply to the exceptions listed in the bill text.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 242: An Act relating to sexual assault.

HB 242 amends Alaska's criminal statutes to clarify and strengthen definitions of sexual assault. It updates first-degree sexual assault (Section 1) to explicitly include offenses involving victims who are mentally incapable, incapacitated, or unaware of the act - particularly when the victim is under the offender's care (e.g., in licensed facilities) or when a health care worker exploits a patient during treatment. Second-degree sexual assault (Section 2) similarly expands definitions to cover assaults involving mentally incapable victims in care settings, incapacitation, or health care worker misconduct. The bill directly affects vulnerable individuals in care environments and health care settings by tightening legal standards for prosecuting these specific offenses. The bill is currently pending in the Health & Social Services committee and has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 64: An Act relating to the surrender of infants; and providing for an effective date.

HB 64 in Alaska creates a legal process for parents to safely surrender newborns without facing criminal charges or future parental obligations. It allows parents to hand infants to authorized personnel (like hospital staff, police, or emergency medical workers) or place them in designated infant safety devices at approved locations (such as hospitals, fire stations, or clinics). Facilities receiving surrendered infants must immediately notify child welfare services, and parents lose all legal duty to support the child after a safe surrender. The bill also protects facilities from liability if they follow these procedures, and requires safety devices to be visible, climate-controlled, and clearly marked.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

signed · Alaska · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 167: An Act relating to eligibility of criminal offenders for certain benefits, including the permanent fund dividend; relating to a permanent fund dividend for an individual whose conviction has been vacated, reversed, or dismissed; and relating to the calculation of the value of the permanent fund dividend by including payment to individuals eligible for a permanent fund dividend because of a conviction that has been vacated, reversed, or dismissed.

SB 167 allows Alaskans denied a permanent fund dividend due to a criminal conviction to receive back payments if their conviction is overturned (set aside or reversed) and either the charges are dismissed or they are retried and found not guilty. To qualify, individuals must apply within one year of the dismissal or not guilty verdict, with a special one-year window after the bill's effective date for those who had these events before the law passed. The bill also updates the dividend calculation method to include payments for these individuals in annual computations, ensuring they receive the dividends they were previously denied due to their conviction status.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

All criminal justice bills