AlaskaAlaska would revise early intervention services for young children
If signed, Alaska would set early intervention eligibility and service rules for children under three with developmental delays or disabilities, subject to funding and federal approval for one provision.
What it does
Children under three with developmental delays or disabilities would be eligible for early intervention services, subject to available funding and the act's other rules.
After the required federal approval or determination, Alaska's medical assistance program could offer listed optional services, including early intervention care.
By July 1, 2029, the Department of Health would report to lawmakers on early intervention needs, services, costs, federal funds, and possible legal changes.
Argument forA clear list of early intervention services could help families and providers understand available developmental, therapy, transportation, and family-support services.
Argument againstChildren who are only considered at risk, rather than already delayed or disabled, might not qualify under the listed eligibility standard.
More detail
If enacted, Alaska would provide early intervention services for children under three who have developmental delays or disabilities. The provisions cover children younger than three and their families. Services would be subject to available funding. The supplied eligibility language covers developmental delays or disabilities, not children described only as at risk of such delays or disabilities. Except for the medical assistance provision in section 1, the act would take effect July 1, 2026.
If enacted and federally approved, or if approval is not needed, the medical assistance program could offer the listed optional services, including early intervention services. The provision applies to optional services under Alaska's medical assistance program, including services for eligible children and other listed recipients. The Department of Health must submit any needed state-plan amendment for federal approval. Section 1 would take effect only if federal approval occurs by July 1, 2028, or the federal government decides approval is unnecessary. If the condition is met, section 1 would take effect the day after federal approval or the determination that approval is unnecessary.
The Department of Health would have to report early intervention needs, services, costs, federal funding, and recommended legal changes to the legislature. The report would cover children under three who have developmental delays or disabilities and early intervention services provided statewide. The report must include the number of children needing services, the number served, service types, costs, federal funding, and recommendations for additional statutory changes. The department would have to submit the report by July 1, 2029.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30(H) FN4: (DOH)Latest
- Sep 30(H) FN3: (DOH)
- Sep 30(H) FN(S) ATTACHED TO APPROP. BILL HB 265
- Sep 30(H) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE 9/8/26
- Sep 30(S) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE 9/8/26
- Jun 19(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW SEE CHAPTERMajor
- Jun 19(S) LAW W/O GOVERNOR SIGNATURE 6/18 CHAPTER 16 SLA 26Major
- Jun 4(S) 10:14 A.M. 6/1/26 Transmitted to GovernorTo Governor
- Jun 4(S) MANIFEST ERROR(S)
- May 17(H) VERSION: CSSB 178(FIN)
- Vote recorded (H) PASSED Y39 N1 #2728. Result: pass.Lower
- May 17(H) RETURN TO (S), TRANSMIT TO GOVERNOR NEXT
- May 17(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
- May 17(H) PASSED Y39 N1Major
- May 17(H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB 178(FIN)Minor
- May 16(H) -- DISCHARGED-RULE 48(D) --
- May 16(H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519
- May 16(H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/17 CALENDARMinor
- May 16(H) READ THE SECOND TIMEMinor
- May 16(H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/16/2026
- May 15(H) Moved CSSB 178(FIN) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time & Location Change --
- May 15(H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 08:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
- May 15(H) DISCHARGE FROM FIN, RULE 48(D) UC
- May 15(H) FN4: (DOH)
- May 15(H) FN3: (DOH)
- May 15(H) DP: RUFFRIDGE, MEARS, PRAX, FIELDS, GRAY, MINA
- May 15(H) HSS RPT 6DP
- May 14(H) -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- MEETING CANCELED --
- May 14(H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:15 PM DAVIS 106
- May 14(H) HSS, FIN
- May 14(H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALSMinor
- May 13(S) VERSION: CSSB 178(FIN)
- Vote recorded (S) PASSED Y20 N- #2624. Result: pass.Upper
- May 13(S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)Passed House
- May 13(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
- May 13(S) PASSED Y20 N-Passed Senate
- May 13(S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB 178(FIN)Minor
- May 12(S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/13 CALMinor
- May 12(S) FIN CS ADOPTED UC
- May 12(S) READ THE SECOND TIMEMinor
- May 12(S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/12/2026
- May 11(S) FN4: (DOH)
- May 11(S) FN3: (DOH)
- May 11(S) NR: STEDMAN, KAUFMAN, CRONK, MERRICK
- May 11(S) DP: OLSON, HOFFMAN, KIEHL
- May 11(S) FIN RPT CS 3DP 4NR SAME TITLE
- May 7(S) Minutes (SFIN)
- May 7(S) Moved CSSB 178(FIN) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --
- May 7(S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Mar 4(S) Heard & Held
- Mar 4(S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
- 2025
- May 7(S) FN2: (DOH)
- May 7(S) FN1: (DOH)
- May 7(S) NR: HUGHES
- May 7(S) DP: DUNBAR, CLAMAN, TOBIN, GIESSEL
- May 7(S) HSS RPT 4DP 1NR
- May 6(S) Minutes (SHSS)
- May 6(S) Moved SB 178 Out of Committee
- May 6(S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
- May 1(S) Minutes (SHSS)
- May 1(S) Heard & Held
- May 1(S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
- Apr 29(S) Minutes (SHSS)
- Apr 29(S) Heard & Held
- Apr 29(S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
- Apr 22(S) HSS, FIN
- Apr 22(S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALSIntroduced
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