This bill amends various sections of Alaska's laws regarding the placement of children in need of aid, adoption processes, and foster care licensing. Key provisions include the requirement for the Department of Family and Community Services to provide advance notice to relevant parties when transferring a child from one placement to another, allowing foster parents who have cared for a child for at least 18 months to request a hearing to oppose such transfers. The bill also mandates that the department conduct a diligent search for suitable adult family members or friends for child placement and provides foster parents with the right to obtain medical records of the child they care for.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section outlining the procedures for conducting a diligent search for potential placements, including interviewing family members and utilizing available databases. It emphasizes the importance of placing children with adult family members or friends whenever possible, while also detailing the rights of adult family members in the adoption process. The bill specifies that poverty or inadequate housing cannot be used as prima facie evidence against placing a child with a family member or friend. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB0088A, AM SB 88, introduced 02/05/2025: 47.10.080, 47.10.145, 47.10.084, 47.10.088, 47.10.142, 47.14.100, 47.32.030, 47.32.032
SB0088B, AM CSSB 88(HSS), introduced 04/09/2025: 47.10.080, 47.10.145, 47.10.084, 47.10.088, 47.10.142, 47.14.100, 47.32.030, 47.32.032