Keeping Law SimpleLegislation, clearly explained
Back to Alaska
Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB52

HB52: Rights and Safety Rules for Minors in Psychiatric Hospitals

Last scannedSep 21, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law sets rules to protect minors receiving mental health care by guaranteeing communication with family, requiring hospitals to report the use of restraints or seclusion, increasing inspections, and mandating an annual public report.

What it does

  • Requires psychiatric hospitals to allow minors at least two cumulative hours per week of confidential phone or video calls with parents, legal guardians, or approved adults.
  • Mandates that hospitals notify the Department of Health and a minor's parent within 72 hours if seclusion or restraint is used on the child.
  • Orders the Department of Health to publish an annual report online about how often restraints are used and data from hospital inspections.
  • Requires unannounced inspections at least twice a year for hospitals where minors stay more than three nights in a year.
  • Directs inspectors to interview at least half of the minor patients during these checks without staff present unless safety is a concern.

Who it affects

  • Minors receiving evaluation or treatment at psychiatric hospitals
  • Psychiatric hospital operators and their staff
  • The Department of Health
  • The Department of Family and Community Services

Limits and unknowns

  • The law does not take effect until July 1, 2027.
  • Hospitals may deny communication rights if a court order prohibits it or if the doctor says it is unsafe for treatment.
  • Staff can be present during patient interviews only if the Department of Health requests their presence to ensure safety.

Plain language

Terms to know

Seclusion
Placing a patient alone in a room to restrict movement.
Restraint
Using physical force, devices, or medication to limit a patient's freedom of movement.
Chemical restraint
Medication used specifically to control behavior rather than treat an illness.

Official record

Sources

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

MINORS & PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS An Act relating to the rights of minors undergoing evaluation or inpatient treatment at psychiatric hospitals; relating to the use of seclusion or restraint of minors at psychiatric hospitals; relating to a report published by the Department of Health; relating to inspections by the Department of Health of certain psychiatric hospitals; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) VETOED BY GOVERNOR 6/18/263115
  2. (S) JOINT SESSION at 01:00 PM HOUSE CHAMBERText
  3. (H) GOVERNOR VETO SUSTAINED Y36 N243101
  4. (H) 12:55 P.M. 6/5/26 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR3058
  5. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) ADOPTED Y32 N82748
  6. (H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y26 N142748
  7. (H) CONCUR MESSAGE TAKEN UP2747
  8. (H) CONCUR MESSAGE RECEIVED2747
  9. (S) VERSION: SCS CSHB 52(FIN)2739
  10. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDED2739
  11. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE2718
  12. (S) PASSED Y20 N-2718
  13. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SCS CSHB 52(FIN)2718
  14. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC2718
  15. (S) FIN SCS ADOPTED UC2717
  16. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME2717
  17. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/17/20262717
  18. (S) FN6: (DOH)2685
  19. (S) FN5: ZERO(DFC)2685
  20. (S) FN4: ZERO(DFC)2685

Changes

Amendments

1 stored

AM 1

AM NO 1 ADOPTED UC 2258