Alaska 34th Alaska State Legislature Status: Enacted

SB 178 — An Act relating to early intervention services for certain children; relating to optional services under the medical assistance program; and providing for an effective date.

Last action — (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW SEE CHAPTER

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced April 22, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Mike Dunleavy (Republican) on June 19, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

This bill relates to early intervention services for specific children and optional medical assistance services.

The bill focuses on early intervention services for certain children and outlines optional services under a medical assistance program. It aims to improve access to necessary support for eligible children.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means families with children needing early intervention services may find expanded support options through medical assistance.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

86 added · 94 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill SB 178 clarify specific criteria for early intervention services meant for certain children. Notably, the language has been updated to more clearly define how children's developmental needs will be assessed based on comparisons to age-appropriate norms. This change matters because it helps ensure that eligible children receive necessary support at the right time, thereby improving their developmental outcomes.

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34-LS0918\A SENATE BILL NO.
LAWS OF ALASKA Source Chapter No.
178 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY THE SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE Introduced:
CSSB 178(FIN) _______ AN ACT Relating to early intervention services for certain children;
4/22/25 Referred:
Health and Social Services, Finance A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to early intervention services for certain children;
and providing for an effective date." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
and providing for an effective date.
* Section 1.
_______________ BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
THE ACT FOLLOWS ON PAGE 1 Enrolled SB 178 AN ACT Relating to early intervention services for certain children;
relating to optional services under the medical assistance program;
and providing for an effective date.
_______________ * Section 1.
inpatient psychiatric facility services for individuals 65 years of age or older and individuals SB0178A -1- SB 178 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0918\A under 21 years of age;
inpatient psychiatric facility services for individuals 65 years of age or older and individuals -1- Enrolled SB 178 under 21 years of age;
(2) develop and implement an educational program concerning the SB 178 -2- SB0178A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0918\A nature and effects of developmental delays and disabilities;
(2) develop and implement an educational program concerning the Enrolled SB 178 -2- nature and effects of developmental delays and disabilities;
OR (2) AT RISK OF EXPERIENCING DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY OR DISABILITY IF EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE NOT SB0178A -3- SB 178 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0918\A PROVIDED].
OR (2) AT RISK OF EXPERIENCING DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY OR DISABILITY IF EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE NOT -3- Enrolled SB 178 PROVIDED].
1431 - 1445 SB 178 -4- SB0178A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0918\A (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act), as amended, functioning at least 15 percent below a chronological or corrected age or the equivalent [1.5] standard deviation [DEVIATIONS] below age appropriate norms in one or more of the following areas:
1431 - 1445 Enrolled SB 178 -4- (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), as amended, functioning at least 15 percent below a chronological or corrected age or the equivalent [1.5] standard deviation [DEVIATIONS] below age appropriate norms in one or more of the following areas:
1431 - 1445 (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act), as amended, functioning at least 25 percent below a chronological or corrected age or the equivalent standard deviation below age appropriate norms in one of the areas listed in (A) of this paragraph, or at least 20 percent below a chronological or corrected age or the equivalent standard deviation below age appropriate norms in two or more of the areas listed in (A) of this paragraph;
1431 - 1445 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), as amended, functioning at least 25 percent below a chronological or corrected age or the equivalent standard deviation below age appropriate norms in one of the areas listed in (A) of this paragraph or at least 20 percent below a chronological or corrected age or the equivalent standard deviation below age appropriate norms in two or more of the areas listed in (A) of this paragraph;
SB0178A -5- SB 178 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0918\A (J) sign language and cued language services;
(J) sign language and cued language services;
(K) special instruction (developmental therapy);
-5- Enrolled SB 178 (K) special instruction (developmental therapy);
The report must include the number of children in the state who need early intervention services, the number of children in the state being provided early intervention services, the types of early intervention services provided in the state, the cost of early intervention services provided in the state, the amount of federal funding received by the state for early intervention services, and recommendations for any additional statutory changes that may be needed to improve and expand early intervention services to eligible children under the age of three who have developmental delays or disabilities.
The report must include the number of children in the state who need early intervention services, the number of children in the state being provided early intervention services, the types of early intervention services provided in the state, the cost of early intervention services provided in the state, the amount of federal funding received by the state for early intervention services, and recommendations for any additional statutory changes that may be needed to improve and expand early intervention services for eligible children under the age of three who have developmental delays or disabilities.
(a) Section 1 of this Act takes effect only if, on or before July 1, 2026, the United States Department of Health and Human Services SB 178 -6- SB0178A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0918\A (1) approves the amendments to the state plan for medical assistance coverage under AS 47.07.030;
(a) Section 1 of this Act takes effect only if, on or before July 1, 2028, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (1) approves the amendments to the state plan for medical assistance coverage Enrolled SB 178 -6- under AS 47.07.030;
1 of this Act takes effect, it takes effect July 1, 2026.
1 of this Act takes effect, it takes effect on the day after the United States Department of Health and Human Services approves the amendments to the state plan for medical assistance coverage submitted under sec.
10 of this Act or determines that approval of the amendments is not necessary.
SB0178A -7- SB 178 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
-7- Enrolled SB 178
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Action History

  1. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW SEE CHAPTER

  2. (S) LAW W/O GOV SIGNATURE 6/18 CH 16 SLA 26

  3. (S) 10:14 A.M. 6/1/26 Transmitted to Governor

  4. (S) MANIFEST ERROR(S)

  5. (H) VERSION: CSSB 178(FIN)

  6. (H) RETURN TO (S), TRANSMIT TO GOV NEXT

  7. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

  8. (H) PASSED Y39 N1

  9. (H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB 178(FIN)

  10. (H) -- DISCHARGED-RULE 48(D) --

  11. (H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519

  12. (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/17 CALENDAR

  13. (H) READ THE SECOND TIME

  14. (H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/16/2026

  15. (H) Moved CSSB 178(FIN) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time & Location Change --

  16. (H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 08:00 AM GRUENBERG 120

  17. (H) DISCHARGE FROM FIN, RULE 48(D) UC

  18. (H) FN4: (DOH)

  19. (H) FN3: (DOH)

  20. (H) DP: RUFFRIDGE, MEARS, PRAX, FIELDS, GRAY, MINA

  21. (H) HSS RPT 6DP

  22. (H) -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- MEETING CANCELED --

  23. (H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:15 PM DAVIS 106

  24. (H) HSS, FIN

  25. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  26. (S) VERSION: CSSB 178(FIN)

  27. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)

  28. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

  29. (S) PASSED Y20 N-

  30. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB 178(FIN)

  31. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/13 CAL

  32. (S) FIN CS ADOPTED UC

  33. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME

  34. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/12/2026

  35. (S) FN4: (DOH)

  36. (S) FN3: (DOH)

  37. (S) NR: STEDMAN, KAUFMAN, CRONK, MERRICK

  38. (S) DP: OLSON, HOFFMAN, KIEHL

  39. (S) FIN RPT CS 3DP 4NR SAME TITLE

  40. (S) Minutes (SFIN)

  41. (S) Moved CSSB 178(FIN) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --

  42. (S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532

  43. (S) Heard & Held

  44. (S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532

  45. (S) FN2: (DOH)

  46. (S) FN1: (DOH)

  47. (S) NR: HUGHES

  48. (S) DP: DUNBAR, CLAMAN, TOBIN, GIESSEL

  49. (S) HSS RPT 4DP 1NR

  50. (S) Minutes (SHSS)

  51. (S) Moved SB 178 Out of Committee

  52. (S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  53. (S) Minutes (SHSS)

  54. (S) Heard & Held

  55. (S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  56. (S) Minutes (SHSS)

  57. (S) Heard & Held

  58. (S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  59. (S) HSS, FIN

  60. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

Sponsors

  • Senate Health & Social Services · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 64 not signed on · 1 voted No

Sponsors (1)

  • Senate Health & Social Services

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (64)

64 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 64 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Third Reading — Final Passage

Passed 39 Yea · 1 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
R 19100
D 14000
N 5000
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 39100
% of votes cast 98%3%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Steve St. Clair — Yea
Andi Story D Yea
Andrew Gray D Yea
Andy Josephson D Yea
Ashley Carrick D Yea
Carolyn Hall D Yea
Donna Mears D Yea
Genevieve Mina D Yea
Maxine Dibert D Yea
Neal Foster D Yea
Nellie Unangiq Jimmie D Yea
Robyn Niayuq Frier D Yea
Sara Hannan D Yea
Ted Eischeid D Yea
Zack Fields D Yea
Alyse Galvin N Yea
Bryce Edgmon N Yea
Calvin Schrage N Yea
Ky Holland N Yea
Rebecca Himschoot N Yea
Bill Elam R Yea
Chuck Kopp R Yea
Dan Saddler R Yea
David Nelson R Yea
David Nelson R Yea
DeLena Johnson R Yea
Elexie Moore R Yea
Frank Tomaszewski R Yea
Jamie Allard R Yea
Jeremy Bynum R Yea
Jubilee Underwood R Yea
Julie Coulombe R Yea
Justin Ruffridge R Yea
Kevin McCabe R Yea
Louise Stutes R Yea
Mia Costello R Yea
Mike Prax R Yea
Rebecca Schwanke R Yea
Sarah Vance R Nay
Will Stapp R Yea

Official roll call →

Third Reading - Final Passage — Effective Date(s)

Passed 20 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
R 11000
D 9000
Total 20000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (20)
Member Party Vote
Bill Wielechowski D Yea
Donald Olson D Yea
Elvi Gray-Jackson D Yea
Forrest Dunbar D Yea
Jesse Kiehl D Yea
Lyman Hoffman D Yea
Löki Tobin D Yea
Matt Claman D Yea
Scott Kawasaki D Yea
Bert Stedman R Yea
Cathy Giessel R Yea
Cathy Tilton R Yea
Gary Stevens R Yea
George Rauscher R Yea
James Kaufman R Yea
Jesse Bjorkman R Yea
Kelly Merrick R Yea
Mike Cronk R Yea
Robert Myers R Yea
Robert Yundt R Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

healthcare education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 178?
SB 178 is sponsored by Senate Health & Social Services.
What is the current status of SB 178?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced April 22, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 178?
Track SB 178 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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