This bill aims to classify emergency medical dispatchers as peace officers under the public employees' retirement system in Alaska. It amends the definition of "emergency medical dispatcher" to specify that they are "an initial first responder" with the necessary training for managing emergency medical communications. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "peace officer" to include dispatchers working in police or fire departments and state trooper offices, while also clarifying that village public safety officers and their dispatchers are excluded from this classification.

The bill includes several amendments to existing statutes, specifically AS 18.08.200(7), AS 39.35.680(30), and AS 39.35.990(20), to incorporate these changes. The effective date for the implementation of this act is set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
HB0234A, AM HB 234, introduced 01/09/2026: 18.08.200
HB0234B, AM SSHB 234, introduced 02/23/2026: 18.08.200, 39.35.680, 18.65.670, 39.35.990