Alaska2026Passed Legislature
HB242
HB 242: Sexual Assault Laws for Health Care Workers
Last scannedSep 10, 2026, 12:32 AM
In one sentence
This bill changes Alaska law to make it a crime when health care workers have sexual contact or penetration with patients during professional treatment, regardless of whether the patient is aware.
What it does
- Removes the rule that said victims must be unaware of the act in cases involving health care workers.
- Makes first-degree sexual assault include any sexual penetration by a health care worker during patient treatment.
- Makes second-degree sexual assault include any sexual contact by a health care worker during patient treatment.
- Applies these new rules to crimes committed on or after the date this law takes effect.
Who it affects
- Health care workers who treat patients in Alaska
- Patients receiving professional medical treatment
Limits and unknowns
- The bill does not state when it will officially become law.
- The text only describes changes to criminal laws and does not mention civil penalties or reporting rules.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
SEXUAL ASSAULT BY HEALTH CARE WORKER An Act relating to sexual assault.
Official activity
Bill history
- (H) REFERRED TO RULES2049
- (H) FN3: ZERO(DPS)2049
- (H) FN2: ZERO(LAW)2049
- (H) FN1: ZERO(ADM)2049
- (H) DP: MINA, COSTELLO, UNDERWOOD, EISCHEID, VANCE, KOPP, GRAY2049
- (H) JUD RPT 7DP2049
- (H) Moved HB 242 Out of Committee -- Delayed to 1:15 pm --Text
- (H) JUDICIARY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
- (H) COSPONSOR(S): VANCE2006
- (H) Heard & HeldText
- (H) JUDICIARY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
- (H) FN3: ZERO(DPS)1952
- (H) FN2: ZERO(LAW)1952
- (H) FN1: ZERO(ADM)1952
- (H) AM: PRAX1952
- (H) NR: SCHWANKE1952
- (H) DP: FIELDS, GRAY, RUFFRIDGE, MEARS, MINA1952
- (H) HSS RPT 5DP 1NR 1AM1952
- (H) Moved HB 242 Out of CommitteeText
- (H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:15 PM DAVIS 106Text