Healthcare in Alaska | MyRepTracker

signed · Alaska · House Jul 3, 2026

HB 110: An Act relating to the rural health transformation program; relating to the interstate medical licensure compact; relating to the PA licensure compact; relating to the psychology interjurisdictional compact; relating to the practice of respiratory care; relating to the duties of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; relating to telehealth provided by respiratory care practitioners; relating to a social work licensure compact; relating to the practice of social work; relating to medical malpractice liability of respiratory care practitioners; relating to immunity from civil liability for a respiratory care practitioner providing free health care services; relating to national criminal history record checks; relating to respiratory care practitioners providing documentation and treatment plans for public school students with asthma or anaphylaxis; relating to the recognition of EMS personnel licensure interstate compact; prohibiting unfair discrimination under group health insurance against respiratory care practitioners; establishing the Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council; and providing for an effective date.

HB 110 enables Alaska to join a multi-state social work licensure compact, allowing licensed social workers from participating states to practice in Alaska without obtaining a separate license. The bill updates Alaska's licensing regulations to align with the compact, requiring continuing education, professional ethics standards, and practice guidelines for all licensees. It also clarifies penalties for practicing social work without a valid license or using restricted titles (like "LCSW") while holding a suspended or expired license. This directly affects social workers seeking to practice across state lines and the Alaska Board of Social Work, which must implement the compact's requirements. The changes take effect upon the bill's approval, streamlining licensure for mobile social work professionals.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing Telehealth

passed · Alaska · House May 7, 2026

HB 210: An Act relating to workers' compensation coverage for disability from diseases for certain firefighters; relating to occupational disability benefits and medical benefits available under the public employees' retirement system; and providing for an effective date.

HB 210 increases disability benefits for peace officers and firefighters who become disabled in the line of duty. After the first 12 months of eligibility, their monthly benefit rises from 40% to 75% of their gross monthly compensation at the time of disability. The bill also requires employers to continue making retirement contributions to the officer's or firefighter's account during disability, without deducting from their benefits. This directly affects Alaska peace officers and firefighters receiving occupational disability benefits under state law. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Alaska · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 283: An Act relating to staffing standards for registered nurses; and providing for an effective date.

Senate Bill 283 establishes minimum staffing standards for registered nurses in Alaska hospitals by limiting the maximum number of patients each nurse can be assigned during a shift in various units, such as intensive care, emergency departments, and labor and delivery. The bill requires hospitals to create written staffing plans and mandates that nurses be physically present in the care area, explicitly prohibiting the use of remote workers, care coordinators, or artificial intelligence to meet staffing requirements. Additionally, the legislation ensures that every nurse assigned to a patient care unit must have completed sufficient orientation to demonstrate current competence in that specific clinical area.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 376: An Act relating to early intervention services for certain children; relating to optional services under the medical assistance program; and providing for an effective date.

This bill updates Alaska's early intervention program to expand optional services available through the medical assistance program for children and adults, including case management, therapy, dental care, and specialized support for vulnerable populations. It also modifies the state's early intervention system to allow services for children under three who are at risk of developmental delays, not just those with confirmed delays, while requiring the state to develop a plan for implementing these expanded services. The legislation mandates that the department create educational programs, establish training for service providers, and monitor service effectiveness to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. These changes aim to improve access to support services for young children with developmental needs and their families, with an effective date to be specified in the final version of the bill.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Alaska · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 281: An Act relating to the rural health transformation program; relating to physician assistants; relating to collaborative agreements between physicians and physician assistants; relating to the interstate medical licensure compact; relating to the PA licensure compact; relating to the practice of medicine; relating to the psychology interjurisdictional compact; relating to health care providers; relating to the recognition of EMS personnel licensure interstate compact; relating to provisions regarding physician assistants in contracts between certain health care providers and health care insurers; and establishing the Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council.

This bill establishes the Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council and expands the scope of practice for physician assistants in Alaska to include tasks like limited sonography and comprehensive patient management. It also implements several interstate medical licensure compacts to facilitate easier practice across state lines for physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, and emergency medical services personnel. The legislation updates the State Medical Board's composition to include a physician assistant member and requires the board to develop guidelines for telehealth practice and substance abuse programs. Additionally, the bill modifies contract requirements between health care providers and insurers regarding physician assistant services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Substance Abuse

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 276: An Act relating to insurance coverage for contraceptives and related services; relating to medical assistance coverage for contraceptives and related services; and providing for an effective date.

This bill requires health insurance plans in Alaska to cover prescription contraceptives and related medical services without imposing copayments or deductibles on most insured individuals. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage if a person switches contraceptive methods within a year and prevents restrictions like prior authorization that could limit access to these products. Religious employers who oppose contraceptive coverage are exempt from these requirements but must inform enrollees about the available options. The law applies to both individual and group market plans while allowing some flexibility for high-deductible health plans.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 293: An Act relating to the practice of genetic counseling; relating to the licensure of genetic counselors; establishing the Genetic Counseling Advisory Council; relating to the duties of the State Medical Board; relating to telehealth by licensed genetic counselors; relating to medical malpractice liability of licensed genetic counselors; relating to immunity from civil liability for a licensed genetic counselor providing free health care services; and prohibiting unfair discrimination under group health insurance against genetic counselors.

HB 293 establishes a licensing system for genetic counselors in Alaska, requiring them to be licensed under new Chapter 53 of the state code. The bill creates a Genetic Counseling Advisory Council to advise the State Medical Board, sets telehealth practice standards for licensed counselors, and clarifies their medical malpractice liability protections. It also prohibits group health insurance plans from discriminating against genetic counselors. This legislation directly affects genetic counselors by defining their professional standards, practice scope, and legal protections within Alaska's healthcare system.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing Telehealth

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 340: An Act relating to the dietitian licensure compact; and providing for an effective date.

HB 340 creates a "Dietitian Licensure Compact" that would allow licensed dietitians from Alaska to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. If enacted, it would directly affect licensed dietitians (especially those relocating for military service or family reasons) by enabling interstate practice through a "Compact Privilege" equivalent to a state license. The bill establishes uniform requirements for licensure portability, eliminates duplicate licensing fees, and requires states to share disciplinary information. Key provisions include preserving each state's regulatory authority over practice laws and ensuring accountability for care provided in the patient's state. This would streamline practice for dietitians while expanding public access to services across participating states.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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 Mar 18, 2026

HB 352: An Act relating to the interstate medical licensure compact; relating to the PA licensure compact; relating to the psychology interjurisdictional compact; and relating to the recognition of EMS personnel licensure interstate compact.

HB 352 allows Alaska to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the Physician Assistant (PA) Licensure Compact, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, and the EMS Personnel Licensure Compact. This creates a streamlined process for healthcare professionals - including physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, and EMS personnel - to obtain licenses in multiple states without separate applications for each state. The bill requires background checks for applicants and mandates that providers must be licensed in the state where the patient is located during care. It does not change existing state medical practice laws but integrates these compacts into Alaska’s licensing framework.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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