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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB357

Alaska Heartbeat Act

Last scannedSep 22, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill changes Alaska law to allow any licensed health care provider, not just physicians or surgeons, to perform abortions, while prohibiting the procedure after a fetal heartbeat is detected.

What it does

  • Changes the law so that abortions may be performed by any licensed health care provider instead of only physicians or surgeons.
  • Prohibits performing an abortion in Alaska if a fetal heartbeat has been detected.
  • Updates rules for notifying parents, legal guardians, or custodians when a minor under 18 seeks an abortion.
  • Requires specific steps to verify the identity and relationship of the person being notified about a minor's abortion.
  • Allows constructive notice by mail if actual notice cannot be reached after multiple attempts over 24 hours.
  • Sets penalties for knowingly violating these rules, including fines up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to five years.

Who it affects

  • Health care providers who perform abortions
  • Pregnant women and minors seeking abortion services
  • Parents, legal guardians, or custodians of pregnant minors under age 18

Limits and unknowns

  • The provided text does not state the specific date when these new rules will take effect.
  • The excerpt ends before fully explaining all details of how constructive notice must be written or delivered by mail beyond the definition and timing.

Plain language

Terms to know

Fetal heartbeat
Cardiac activity that begins when the fetal heart is formed in the gestational sac.
Health care provider
A licensed professional who can perform an abortion under this law, which now includes more than just physicians or surgeons.
Constructive notice
Legal notification considered given 48 hours after a certified letter is mailed if direct contact fails.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text
Read the official summary

FETAL HEARTBEAT ACT An Act relating to abortion; relating to who may perform an abortion; relating to civil enforcement of abortion laws; relating to abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat; amending Rules 3 and 82, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 508, Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) COSPONSOR REMOVED: ALLARD2380
  2. (H) REFERRED TO HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES1691
  3. (H) HSS, JUD1691
  4. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1691