Alaska Lawmakers Push Bill for Kids' Psych Facility Reform

0:00It's April 24th. Welcome in. This is Anchorage News Today, where local news meets AI. I'm Cory with the story. Alaska lawmakers are pushing a bill to protect kids in psychiatric facilities, sparked by a U.S. Department of Justice report from 2000. 22. That slammed the system for unnecessary lockups. Sponsored by Representative Maxine DeBird, it sailed through the House unanimously this week and now heads to the Senate Finance Committee. The bill locks in key rights like confidential calls between minors, and their parents, or guardians. It demands annual reports from the health department on seclusion and restraints, plus unannounced inspections by state staff. Facilities must notify the department and guardians within 72 hours of any chemical, mechanical, or physical restraints on kids. This hits hard after the Justice Department found Alaska kids stuck in these places due to slim options elsewhere, with Alaska Native Youth Way. Former Representative and often isolated far from family. The main target is North Star Behavioral Health in Anchorage, the state's biggest youth

1:03psych center. A Senate companion bill from Senator Matt Klam and backs it up, an implementation will cost about $223,000 a year for, a new inspector, and training. Meanwhile, another bill by Representative Andrew Gray sets time limits on court hearings for foster kids in these facilities, and it's also before the Senate Finance Group. Lawmakers, like Representative Genevieve Mina, stress this as a start, but real change means pumping money into home and community care to keep kids out of institutions altogether. Watch for Senate action as Alaska steps up for its vulnerable youth.