[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6265785,"mediaKeyId","3088787-57502c9fc72341895f578ed106273018","parentId",3088787,"title","Committee adopts substitute for HB52 to increase inspections and reporting for minors in psychiatric hospitals","audioSeconds",1764,"startMs",3329000,"endMs",5093000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088787-57502c9fc72341895f578ed106273018&start=3329&end=5093","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088787-57502c9fc72341895f578ed106273018/thumbnail_3329000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6265785/Alaska/Committee-adopts-substitute-for-HB52-to-increase-inspections-and-reporting-for-minors-in-psychiatric-hospitals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265785-51b30a253809fdd92c2f8f6a17d0fcd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448437&Signature=gLUFs7UwDxQL~Hon-KVDH-Q8ZzNKXGGdvyICaWf1Q6i5HoSPxJMaabefZooNb9V80qPDF7ZJVq53J~DYLyp~6tYO1kxUp-SuR~-AHoKAtD1EdbvPtmKl8ZxXvObRXA~AD1XFfCgZcS7SjvBdLpn9b4rOaLQc1nufVqQo7leK0dyM3eK54zJZ~aiqQKT-k2ByqcIxLxmiOD05T9Pt7BmT1V2uHRmXadkUcc70q58DP0v8kNE8lQNzLgRraLmlv~xMMZevkLLqzKGvBUGEb2~nMe7e0rv1N08AZ-u84RNUslqVbzykNW9jSPWVtq8qIxjjKiUjlBS2wZvBu6BVD1SSZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska Legislature","date","2025-04-22T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Maxine Deibert (Divert) returned to the committee on April 20 with a draft committee substitute to revise oversight of psychiatric hospitals that provide care to minors. After discussion, the committee adopted the CS by voice vote and set a timetable for amendments.

Major changes in the CS included: requiring at least two unannounced inspections annually of psychiatric hospitals that treat minors; permitting an inspector to request staff presence for safety during inspections; defining “chemical restraint” consistent with Alaska statute; requiring facilities to notify the Department of Health and the parent or guardian within 72 hours after initiation of a physical or chemical restraint on a minor patient; changing the effective date to July 1, 2026; and creating reporting provisions for incidents to inform an annual public report.

Representative Grama moved to adopt the draft committee substitute. The motion was objected to for the purpose of discussion; after questions and clarifications from sponsor staff and Department of Health representatives, Chair Mina removed the objection and the CS was adopted without a roll call vote. Chair Mina announced an amendment deadline for HB52 (and HB151) for April 23 at 12:00 p.m., filed by Representative Galvin.

Committee members sought clarifications on several points: Representative Grama and others asked why the CS explicitly adds wording limiting use of medication “not required to treat a medical symptom,” and whether that language might create a loophole; sponsor staff and legal counsel said the committees sought to balance reporting and clinical discretion and would consult legislative legal for precise drafting. Representatives asked about the basis for a 72‑hour reporting window; Department of Health operations manager Bobby Nadeau said the division currently receives restraint reports for similar facilities and would triage and, if warranted, conduct unannounced inspections. Members also discussed the CS’s minimum “at least one hour per week” cumulative parent/guardian contact requirement and whether that floor should be higher or lower; sponsor staff said the number was intended as a floor to ensure a baseline level of contact.

Sponsor offices and Department of Health staff cited prior reviews and a 2022 U.S. Department of Justice remedial plan as background for increased transparency and oversight.

The committee adopted the CS and set the amendment deadline; the measure will move forward for further work and possible amendment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/22/2025 03:15 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Maxine Deibert returned with a committee substitute for House Bill 52 to increase oversight of psychiatric hospitals caring for minors and the committee adopted the substitute on April 20.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Alaska, Alaska","taxId",78559,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":44,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6265790,"Committee hears testimony on HB147 to allow limited prescriptive authority for naturopathic doctors",2953,376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088787-57502c9fc72341895f578ed106273018&start=376&end=3329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088787-57502c9fc72341895f578ed106273018/thumbnail_376000.jpg","/articles/6265790/Alaska/Committee-hears-testimony-on-HB147-to-allow-limited-prescriptive-authority-for-naturopathic-doctors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265790-a1a699c692403d16c38f92eb335c66e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448437&Signature=knosudAMOgnT5KJEf2vlviyFFE2Vaq3OYxFyVmhjegTqigNLCucqxKhS2ErT4UjOi1vANvJF~pweoueTgMSaxKynUtyN09J1lv8IxyAo2pRNxVTYdXWs2qoCsD~VrCoLqufNjDxrMbQaRsxwNGJM2KbuKActSEuXoe~R5AT5R6htV2enZE6N3v42mzw22S1-jnp18A9XfYZNAr0JAFTJKq9YvzvoIA9m0Z-x9qxHVbcAG19V~mk5TrBISG1fxGWNp7qIUojrSq5gMGF5SoUovB4iJXUXqrE4gvIMohGx3mQGAcLrfyUHPCDVeMdTpeZ9bfijI1tkNxDnMDHFFtk-Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Mike Prox introduced House Bill 147 on April 20, asking the committee to update Alaska law so licensed naturopathic doctors could prescribe a limited range of medications after a supervised probationary period.

The bill would create a temporary prescriptive endorsement, require a written collaborative agreement with a supervising physician for at least 12 months, mandate 60 hours of division‑approved continuing education every two years (including at least 20 hours in pharmacotherapy), and expand existing disciplinary and criminal penalties for prescribing without a valid endorsement. The bill text specifically excludes poisons, chemotherapy drugs, antipsychotic drugs and radioactive substances from what the endorsement would permit.

Prox said the measure would let naturopaths “serve those who wish to avail themselves of their care to the full extent of their education and training,” and argued it would reduce delays and extra cost for patients who now must see another provider to get prescriptions.

Witnesses for the bill included Laura Culberson Farr, executive director of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians; Dr. Clyde Jensen, a pharmacology educator; Shannon Braden of the Federation of Naturopathic Medicine Regulatory Authorities; and Dr. Natalie Wiggins of Vita Integrative Medical Center. Farr and Braden cited multi‑state experience and disciplinary data to argue that expanded prescriptive authority has been implemented safely elsewhere. Jensen testified that pharmacology classroom hours and continuing education for naturopathic students are comparable to MDs and DOs but noted fewer opportunities for postgraduate supervised clinical observation; he described HB147’s one‑year collaboration as a mitigation for that difference. Wiggins said requiring a collaborative year and limiting the formulary made the bill “a cautious and reasonable step.”

Glenn Saviors, deputy director for the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, told the committee the division would assess complaints and could require additional supervised hours, deny an endorsement, or take disciplinary action on a case‑by‑case basis.

Committee members asked about the bill’s explicit exclusions for chemotherapy and antipsychotic drugs, whether the one‑year collaborative period could become a barrier, and how the continuing education requirements compare with other prescribers. Supporters said the exclusions and the staged oversight were designed to minimize disputes and to mirror approaches used in other states such as Vermont.

The committee did not vote on HB147. Chair Mina announced that House Bill 147 would be set aside for a future hearing.","Supporters told the House Health and Social Services Committee that House Bill 147 would allow licensed naturopathic doctors in Alaska to obtain a time‑limited prescriptive endorsement, require supervised practice for one year, and add continuing education and disciplinary provisions; the committee set the bill aside for a future hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee adopts substitute for HB52 to increase inspections and reporting for minors in psychiatric hospitals

Committee hears testimony on HB147 to allow limited prescriptive authority for naturopathic doctors