Senate panel advances bill creating complex care residential-home license for long-term behavioral health needs

The Senate Health and Social Services Committee moved Senate Bill 76 from committee on Feb. 18 after a brief presentation by the Department of Health describing the policy goal and no objections from members.

Dr. Robert Lawrence, chief medical officer for the Department of Health, told the committee that SB 76 would establish a new residential license category for “complex care residential homes.” The homes are intended to provide long-term, supportive residential care for individuals with complex behavioral health needs and co-occurring medical or disability-related needs in a home-like setting, Lawrence said. “These complex care residential homes are designed to improve Alaska's system of care for individuals with complex behavioral health needs,” he said.

After the department’s remarks, Senator Giesel moved that the committee report the bill out with an individual recommendation and attached fiscal notes. The motion was adopted with no objections recorded. The committee chair asked members to remain after the hearing to sign paperwork.

The committee record shows the department participated in prior briefings and that the bill had received invited and public testimony and an amendment deadline; the chair noted there were no amendments to consider. The motion that carried the bill from committee referenced a specific draft (version 3 4 g s 1 4 9 3 backslash a) and an attached fiscal note, per the committee clerk’s instructions.

With the committee’s action, SB 76 will proceed in the Senate process with the committee’s individual recommendation and fiscal materials attached for further consideration.