Alaska House Passes Bill for Kids' Psychiatric Facility Oversight

0:00Alaska's house just pushed forward a bill to fix oversight gaps for kids in psychiatric facilities. It calls for yearly reports from the health department on conditions and treatments plus surprise inspections twice a year. The measure passed with 37 yes votes and no no's, now heading to the Senate. On top of that, the bill ensures kids get two hours a week of private phone or video calls with parents or guardians. It also requires the departments to alert families within 72 hours if seclusion or restraints are used. Lawmakers like sponsor Maxine Deber from Fairbanks stressed this, brings basic transparency for vulnerable youth. Chair Genevieve Mina highlighted how Alaska underfunds community services, forcing more kids into long-term institutional care as flagged in a 20. 22 Justice Department report that DOJ-Pro found Alaskan minors end up in psych hospitals at higher rates and for longer stays than elsewhere, breaking disability laws due to missing home-based options like family therapy and crisis help.

1:03A 2004 investigation tallyed 261 restraint episodes in just three months. Groups like the Alaska Federation of Natives and Lives in the Balance back its strong. Though the health department pegs annual costs around two, $122,800 for staff and training. This could mark real change for Alaska's kids if the Senate follows suit. That's the story for today, Anchorage News. Today, driven by AI, I'm Corey with The Story.