Healthcare (Medical Licensing)

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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access by enabling multi-state licensure compacts for social workers and respiratory care practitioners, improving workforce availability and patient access to care.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing Telehealth

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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands PA scope of practice and establishes advisory council to improve rural healthcare access and facilitate interstate medical practice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Substance Abuse

Track

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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing for genetic counselors, prohibits insurance discrimination, and sets telehealth standards to improve access and protect healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing Telehealth

Track

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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables interstate practice for dietitians, improving provider access and reducing licensing barriers in healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill enables dietitians relocating for military service to practice across states, supporting veteran employment through licensure portability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines multi-state licensure for healthcare providers (physicians, PAs, psychologists, EMS), improving access to care without separate state applications, directly advancing patient access to services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 256: An Act relating to the recognition of EMS personnel licensure interstate compact; and providing for an effective date.

SB 256 would allow Alaska to join an interstate agreement (the EMS Licensure Compact) that recognizes emergency medical services (EMS) licenses across state lines. This means EMTs, paramedics, and other licensed EMS personnel could work in participating states without needing a new license, streamlining their ability to provide care during emergencies or routine operations. The compact requires states to share information about license status and any disciplinary actions to ensure patient safety and maintain consistent standards. By joining this agreement, Alaska would align with other states to make EMS workforce mobility easier while protecting public health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines EMS provider mobility across states, improving emergency care access without new licensing barriers, directly enhancing healthcare service delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Public Health Tags Licensing

Track

in committee · Alaska · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 342: An Act relating to physician liability for sex-reassignment treatments or procedures performed on minors; relating to standardized informed consent forms for sex-reassignment treatments or procedures; relating to the duties of the State Medical Board; relating to informed consent for sex-reassignment treatments or procedures performed on minors; establishing the crime of criminal sex-reassignment treatment or procedure; and providing for an effective date.

HB 342 requires Alaska's State Medical Board to create a standardized informed consent form for minors receiving sex-reassignment treatments or procedures. The form must include specific disclaimers, such as that the FDA hasn't approved puberty blockers or hormones for gender dysphoria, that other countries recommend psychotherapy first, and that these treatments carry risks like sterility, heart disease, and unknown brain development effects. It directly affects minors seeking gender-affirming care, their physicians, and the State Medical Board. The bill modifies medical licensing regulations to mandate this form before any such treatment, requiring it to be provided at every visit for at least one year. The bill is currently under review by the Health & Social Services committee.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill mandates disclaimers discouraging gender-affirming care for minors, citing unapproved treatments and risks, directly restricting access to healthcare services for this population.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · Alaska · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 248: 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.

SB 248 establishes a licensing requirement for genetic counselors in Alaska, meaning they must obtain a license to practice. The bill creates a Genetic Counseling Advisory Council to guide licensing standards, sets rules for telehealth services provided by licensed counselors, and clarifies medical malpractice liability. It also provides immunity from civil claims when counselors offer free health care services and prohibits group health insurance plans from discriminating against genetic counselors. This legislation directly affects genetic counselors, the State Medical Board (which will oversee licensing), and health insurers in Alaska.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing for genetic counselors, ensures qualified care, expands telehealth access, prohibits insurance discrimination, and clarifies malpractice protections to improve healthcare access and patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing Telehealth

Track

in committee · Alaska · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 347: An Act relating to occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants; relating to the practice of physical therapy; and relating to the practice of occupational therapy.

HB 347 clarifies and expands the scope of practice for occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Alaska. It allows OTs to provide services directly to patients without requiring a referral from another healthcare provider and defines specific services OTs may offer, including pain management, rehabilitation for daily activities, adaptive equipment training, and preventive care. The bill directly affects OTs, OTAs, and patients seeking these services by enabling more direct access to care. Key provisions (Section 08.84.095) detail how OTs can evaluate, treat, and support patients’ functional abilities across daily living, work, and community participation. The bill does not alter licensing or fees but streamlines service delivery within existing regulatory frameworks.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves referral requirement for OT services, enabling direct patient access to pain management, rehab, and preventive care, improving healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Primary Care

Track

in committee · Alaska · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 241: An Act relating to a psychology interjurisdictional compact; and relating to the practice of psychology.

HB 241 adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PIC) into Alaska law, allowing psychologists licensed in other participating states to practice in Alaska more easily. It amends licensing rules (AS 08.86.070, AS 08.86.150) to establish "license by credentials" for out-of-state psychologists who meet Alaska's standards, such as holding a doctoral degree in psychology and demonstrating comparable qualifications. This directly affects licensed psychologists seeking to practice across state lines without retaking exams or completing full Alaska licensure. The bill streamlines cross-state practice while maintaining Alaska's licensing requirements for safety and competency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for psychologists, improving access to mental health services by reducing licensing barriers for qualified professionals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track