Alaska HB 285: An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date.

Bill Text

HB0285b -1- CSHB 285(L&C)
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CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 285(L&C)

IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION

BY THE HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE

Offered: 4/24/26
Referred: Rules

Sponsor(s): HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
A BILL

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED

"An Act relating to the electronic health information exchange system; and providing 1
for an effective date." 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 3
* Section 1. AS 18.23.300(a) is amended to read: 4
(a) The department shall establish and implement a statewide electronic health 5
information exchange system and ensure the interoperability and compliance of the 6
system with state and federal specifications and protocols for exchanging health 7
records and related data. 8
* Sec. 2. AS 18.23.300(b) is repealed and reenacted to read: 9
(b) The commissioner shall designate a qualified entity or combination of 10
qualified entities in the state to perform the tasks described in this subsection. The 11
designee must have an advisory or governing body made up of health system 12
stakeholders that include members identified under (d) of this section. The designee 13
shall 14

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CSHB 285(L&C) -2- HB0285b
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(1) develop a statewide program to support the system connecting 1
electronic health records to the health information exchange infrastructure, including 2
(A) support for installation and training on the use of the 3
system; 4
(B) a plan to encourage eligible participants to use electronic 5
exchange of records over a sustained period; 6
(C) support to system participants for workflow redesign and 7
quality improvement; 8
(D) a plan to provide for participation by all identified 9
stakeholders in the planning and implementation of the system; 10
(E) measures for periodic evaluation and improvement of the 11
system; 12
(F) oversight and technical assistance needed for planning and 13
implementing the system; 14
(2) submit an annual budget for the program described in (1) of this 15
subsection for approval by the designee's governing body; 16
(3) comply with state nondiscrimination and conflict of interest 17
policies; 18
(4) comply with federal and state health information privacy laws, 19
policies, and standards applicable to the exchange of individually identifiable 20
information to ensure the privacy and security of the information that is part of the 21
system; 22
(5) provide an estimate of costs of the hardware, software, services, 23
and support needed to implement and maintain the technical infrastructure of the 24
system; and 25
(6) provide cost and cost saving data associated with the development 26
and use of the system to the department. 27
* Sec. 3. AS 18.23.300(c) is amended to read: 28
(c) The department and the designee may [ENTER INTO CONTRACTS,] 29
seek and accept available public [FEDERAL] and private funds and equipment. The 30
department may enter into contracts [,] and adopt regulations necessary to carry out 31

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HB0285b -3- CSHB 285(L&C)
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the purposes of this section. 1
* Sec. 4. AS 18.23.300(d) is amended to read: 2
(d) The designee [UNDER (b)(1)(A) OF THIS SECTION] may be a private 3
for-profit or nonprofit entity or entities under contract with the state. The advisory or 4
governing body of the designee must include 5
(1) the commissioner; 6
(2) nine [EIGHT] other individuals, each of whom represents one of 7
the following interests: 8
(A) hospitals and nursing home facilities; 9
(B) private medical care providers; 10
(C) community-based primary care providers; 11
(D) federal health care providers; 12
(E) Alaska tribal health organizations; 13
(F) health insurers; 14
(G) health care consumers; 15
(H) employers or businesses; 16
(I) behavioral health providers; and 17
(3) a [TWO] nonvoting liaison member [MEMBERS] who shall serve 18
to enhance communication and collaboration between the designee and [BOTH] the 19
Board of Regents of the University of Alaska; and 20
(4) at least one nonvoting liaison member chosen by the governing 21
body to represent other stakeholders and community interest related to the 22
system [THE COMMISSION ESTABLISHED IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO 23
REVIEW HEALTH CARE POLICY]. 24
* Sec. 5. AS 18.23.305 is amended to read: 25
Sec. 18.23.305. Department; duties. In carrying out its duties under 26
AS 18.23.300, the department shall 27
(1) in accordance with federal recommendations and in consultation 28
with the designee, determine the manner in which the system is developed and 29
operated; 30
(2) [PROVIDE OVERSIGHT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 31

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CSHB 285(L&C) -4- HB0285b
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NEEDED FOR PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING THE SYSTEM; 1
(3) AUTHORIZE AND] facilitate applications for any [AVAILABLE 2
FEDERAL] funding available for planni