This bill aims to improve the treatment and care of minors in foster homes and psychiatric facilities in Alaska by allowing minors aged 16 and older to consent to their own medical, behavioral, and mental health services, including outpatient appointments with mental health providers. It specifies that unaccompanied and homeless minors can give consent if they have the necessary documentation, and it emphasizes that parental consent may not be required if it would harm the minor's well-being. Additionally, the bill relieves parents of financial obligations for services provided under these new provisions. It also introduces "treatment foster homes" into the context of medical assistance eligibility for minors under state custody and clarifies the definition of "residential psychiatric treatment center."

Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws to allow the Department of Family and Community Services to seek short-term psychiatric care for children in hospitals that are not residential treatment centers, contingent upon a mental health professional's assessment of risk. It mandates timely notification to relevant parties and court reviews of placements to ensure children are not kept in hospitals longer than necessary. The legislation also includes provisions for ongoing training in trauma-informed care for treatment foster parents and requires the Department of Health to seek federal approval for necessary amendments to the state Medicaid plan, with certain sections taking effect on January 1, 2026, and others dependent on federal approval.

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