This bill seeks to improve the treatment foster home system and the placement of foster children in psychiatric care facilities in Alaska. It introduces new provisions for the licensure and certification of treatment foster homes, which cater to children with specific mental health needs. Key amendments include the establishment of ongoing training requirements in trauma-informed care for foster parents and the introduction of new definitions for terms related to psychiatric treatment. The bill also emphasizes the necessity of involving the court in decisions regarding the placement of children in psychiatric hospitals and mandates regular court reviews of such placements to ensure less restrictive treatment alternatives are prioritized.

Additionally, the bill updates existing laws by removing outdated terminology and expanding the definition of "child placement agency" to include treatment foster homes. It specifies the conditions under which attorneys must be appointed for children in need of aid, particularly when a child is placed in a hospital. The Department of Health is tasked with submitting amendments to the state plan for medical assistance to align with federal requirements. The provisions of the bill are set to take effect on July 1, 2028, or upon federal approval of necessary waivers, with notification requirements established for the commissioner of health.

Statutes affected:
HB0036A, AM HB 36, introduced 01/10/2025: 47.10.087, 47.30.915, 47.10.080, 47.10.142, 47.14.112, 18.05.020
HB0036B, AM SCS HB 36(HSS), introduced 05/14/2025: 47.10.087, 47.10.080, 47.10.142, 47.30.915, 47.32.900, 47.14.112, 18.05.020, 47.10.990
HB0036C, AM SCS HB 36(JUD), introduced 05/16/2025: 12.62.400, 47.05.310, 47.32.010, 25.20.025, 18.16.010, 14.30.174, 47.30.915, 47.07.020, 47.32.900, U.S.C, 25.23.190, 25.23.210, 47.10.084, 25.20.028, 47.10.087, 47.10.080, 47.10.142, 47.10.990, 47.12.150, 47.14.010, 47.14.110, 47.14.112, 18.05.020, 47.14.115, 47.14.900, 47.32.032, 47.10.141, 47.10.105
HB0036D, AM SCS HB 36(FIN), introduced 05/13/2026: 12.62.400, 47.05.310, 47.32.010, 47.07.020, 47.32.900, U.S.C, 25.23.190, 25.23.210, 47.10.087, 47.10.080, 47.10.142, 47.30.915, 47.10.990, 47.14.010, 47.14.110, 47.14.112, 18.05.020, 47.14.115, 47.14.900, 47.32.032, 47.10.141, 47.10.105