An Act relating to treatment foster homes; relating to the placement of foster children in hospitals and residential psychiatric treatment centers for psychiatric care; relating to the duties of the Department of Family and Community Services; relating to the care of children in state custody placed in psychiatric residential treatment facilities outside the state; amending Rule 12.1(b), Alaska Child in Need of Aid Rules of Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

Summary

HB 36 expands consent authority so minors 16 years or older – including homeless unaccompanied youth – can give written consent for behavioral and mental‑health services when parental consent would be harmful. It creates a definition for "treatment foster home" and authorizes the Department of Family and Community Services to place children in secure residential psychiatric centers or short‑term hospital psychiatric care when no less restrictive option exists. The bill also adds reporting, procedural, and Medicaid‑waiver requirements tied to federal approval.

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