The proposed bill establishes a Citizens' Review Panel for Permanency Planning in Alaska, aimed at enhancing the oversight of children in state custody. It amends existing laws to incorporate local citizen out-of-home care review panels, mandating the Department of Family and Community Services to notify these panels within 60 days following a child's removal from their home or a court's commitment order. Key amendments include the addition of a new paragraph to AS 44.66.010(a) that establishes the Citizens' Review Panel and new subsections in AS 47.10.080 that require timely notifications to local review panels. The bill also details the structure, duties, and operational framework of both state and local panels, including member appointments, terms, and annual reporting requirements to the legislature.

Additionally, the bill outlines the confidentiality of communications with local panel members and mandates the destruction of records after reports are completed. It provides indemnification for panel members against civil liability for negligent acts performed in their official capacity, with certain exceptions. The bill also defines key terms such as "local panel," "out-of-home care provider," and "state panel," and establishes staggered terms for initial members of the panels to ensure a diverse range of experience. The effective date for certain provisions is set for January 1, 2026, while others will take effect on June 30, 2032.

Statutes affected:
SB0123A, AM SB 123, introduced 03/06/2025: 44.66.010, 47.10.401, 47.10.080, 47.10.421, 47.10.093, 47.10.010, 47.14.300, 47.17.020, 25.27.010, 47.05.360, 47.14.400, 47.10.142, 11.51.130, 18.85.030, 39.20.180, 47.10.411, 24.60.990, 47.10.431, 47.10.441, 47.14.100, U.S.C, 47.10.451, 47.10.461, 44.62.310, 47.10.491, 47.10.471, 47.10.481