Alaska would join interstate practice agreements for health care workers

Alaska would join interstate practice agreements for doctors, physician assistants, psychologists, and emergency medical workers. The agreements would cover eligible workers in participating states. Psychologists' temporary visits in person would be limited to 30 days per calendar year, with state oversight. Workers would need to meet their agreement's education, license, background, and discipline rules. Applicable fees would still apply. Doctors would obtain separate state licenses through a faster process. Physician assistants would follow the rules where their patients are located. Psychologists would need certificates approving remote or temporary practice. Emergency medical workers would need to be at least 18 and work under a medical director on assigned duties. Applicants for medical, psychology, and emergency medical licenses covered by these sections would submit fingerprints and pay for national criminal history checks. The doctor, physician assistant, and psychology agreements require enactment by at least seven states; the emergency medical agreement requires ten. Psychology and emergency medical practice also depend on rules to carry out their agreements.

Genetic counselors would need a state license to practice or use protected professional titles, unless an exception applies. The State Medical Board would oversee counselors who help people understand genetic risks and test results, with advice from a genetic counseling council. Applicants would generally need approved training, a certification exam, fees, and acceptable disciplinary records. A separate route would require at least 10 years of prior work, a relevant graduate degree, recommendations, and other qualifications. Exceptions would cover official military and federal duties, certain teaching visits, and Indian health program services for eligible patients. Supervised students and other licensed health workers could provide services within stated limits. Renewal would generally require 50 continuing education units in the preceding two years. The board could grant relief for illness, hardship, or unavailable courses. Violations without another specified penalty would be class B misdemeanors, a category of criminal offense. The grace period would end July 1, 2027. The text gives no calendar date for the genetic counseling licensing section to take effect.

Respiratory care practitioners would need state licenses to practice or use protected professional titles, unless an exception applies. Alaska's Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development would license workers who treat breathing and related heart and lung problems. Applicants would generally need approved training, a registered respiratory therapist exam, and fees. Those employed in Alaska under a doctor's direction on or before January 1, 2027, could use a separate route by applying before January 1, 2028. Licensed practitioners would work under a qualified medical director and a medically approved protocol or an authorized provider's order. Renewal would require 20 hours of continuing education per licensing period. Exceptions would cover other licensed professionals within their allowed work, eligible students, family care, emergencies, official military and federal work, and certain workers treating patients under a doctor's direction. Equipment company workers would be exempt only when delivering, calibrating, or maintaining equipment without assessing or evaluating patients. Violations could lead to a class B misdemeanor charge. The respiratory care licensing section would take effect January 1, 2027. Its transition rule would allow qualified current workers to practice without that license for no more than one year.

The Alaska Department of Health would publish rural health program records and receive advice from an eight-member council. The rules would cover Alaska's Rural Health Transformation Program grants and state projects. Public records would include scoring criteria, awards, spending, and progress. The department could award grants using money Alaska receives through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. Awards would need to address work in Alaska's federally approved application. The council would include health organizations, local government, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, and lawmakers. Its members would receive no pay, daily expense allowance, or travel reimbursement. Grant and state project updates would be annual. Federal reports would go to lawmakers by the first day of each regular session. The council and oversight sections would end December 31, 2031.

Covered group health plans would be barred from unfair discrimination against licensed genetic counselors and respiratory care practitioners. The provision would cover specified group health insurance policies and group contracts offered by health maintenance organizations or nonprofit insurers. The rule would apply only to services the plan covers and that the provider's license allows. Exceptions would allow actions needed to comply with two other insurance laws. Their requirements are not included. The section listing respiratory care practitioners would take effect January 1, 2027.