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HB376

HB376: Changes to Early Intervention Services Eligibility

Last scannedSep 12, 2026, 4:46 AM

In one sentence

This bill changes Alaska law so that early intervention services are only available to children under three who have a confirmed developmental delay or disability, removing the option for at-risk children.

What it does

  • Removes eligibility for optional early intervention services for children under age three who are merely at risk of having delays but do not yet meet criteria.
  • Limits core and additional early intervention services strictly to children with verified developmental delays or disabilities.
  • Updates medical assistance rules to list early intervention as an optional service only for eligible children defined in AS 47.20.080.
  • Requires the state department to review disability definitions every five years and report findings to lawmakers.
  • Removes a specific requirement for establishing training programs designed specifically for paraprofessionals serving these families.

Who it affects

  • Children under three years of age in Alaska who have developmental delays or disabilities.
  • Families with young children previously eligible because they were considered at risk but do not yet meet delay criteria.
  • The state department responsible for health and social services planning.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill states that services are provided subject to the availability of funding.
  • The text does not specify an effective date when these changes will begin.
  • The official source text cuts off before completing the definition for 'developmentally delayed' under federal education laws.

Plain language

Terms to know

Early Intervention Services
Support programs like therapy, case management, and family education designed to help young children with developmental needs.
Developmental Delay
A condition where a child is functioning significantly below the expected level for their age in areas like speech, movement, or thinking skills.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

EXPAND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES 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.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE2194
  2. (H) FN2: (DOH)2194
  3. (H) FN1: (DOH)2194
  4. (H) AM: SCHWANKE2194
  5. (H) NR: PRAX, RUFFRIDGE2194
  6. (H) DP: GRAY, MEARS, MINA2194
  7. (H) HSS RPT CS(EDC) 3DP 2NR 1AM2194
  8. (H) Moved CSHB 376(EDC) Out of CommitteeText
  9. (H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:15 PM DAVIS 106Text
  10. (H) Heard & Held -- Delayed to 3:40 PM --Text
  11. (H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:15 PM DAVIS 106Text
  12. (H) Heard & HeldText
  13. (H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:15 PM DAVIS 106Text
  14. (H) FN2: (DOH)1990
  15. (H) FN1: (DOH)1990
  16. (H) NR: ELAM, SCHWANKE, UNDERWOOD1990
  17. (H) DP: EISCHEID, DIBERT, HIMSCHOOT, STORY1990
  18. (H) EDC RPT CS(EDC) 4DP 3NR1990
  19. (H) Moved CSHB 376(EDC) Out of CommitteeText
  20. (H) EDUCATION at 08:00 AM DAVIS 106Text