Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy signed several bills into law on Friday, addressing homeschool regulations, healthcare, and opioid overdose prevention. The state awaits a final court decision on its homeschool correspondence program.
First, Dunleavy signed a bill directing the Alaska Board of Education to establish temporary regulations for homeschooling. It comes after the Alaska Supreme Court ruled in June that the state’s correspondence laws are constitutional. However, the lower court must still decide whether state funds can reimburse parents for private school tuition and other expenses.
Next, Dunleavy signed a bill requiring schools to carry opioid overdose-reversing drugs. This move aims to combat the growing fentanyl crisis. Sandy Snodgrass, who lost her son to a fentanyl overdose in 2021, expressed mixed emotions about the bill. She emphasized the need for a stronger response to the fentanyl scourge.
In addition, Dunleavy signed a healthcare bill allowing patients and providers to establish direct healthcare agreements. This approach enables patients to pay providers a monthly fee for routine visits, bypassing insurance bureaucracy. Wade Erickson, owner of Capstone Clinic, praised the move, saying it simplifies healthcare relationships and reduces costs.
Other signed bills included Senate Bills 74 and 75, which expand access to physical therapists, audiologists, and speech-language pathologists in remote areas. House Bill 126 streamlines the process for mental health services, allowing Associate Counselor licensure.
Rep. Stanley Wright, the sponsor of House Bill 126, believes this move will attract and retain talented professionals in Alaska. He sees it as a pathway toward full accreditation as Licensed Professional Counselors.
Governor Dunleavy’s signed bills address pressing issues in Alaska, from homeschool regulations to healthcare and opioid prevention. These moves aim to improve access to education, healthcare, and mental health services across the state.
This news story was originally published by Alaska News Source.
