Alaska2026Passed Legislature
SB220
Alaska Community Health Worker Certification Bill
Last scannedSep 22, 2026, 12:32 AM
In one sentence
This bill creates a new certification system for community health workers in Alaska and adds their services as an optional benefit under medical assistance programs, pending federal approval.
What it does
- Creates a new state chapter requiring the Department of Health to set rules for certifying community health workers.
- Requires regulations covering training, education, experience, fees, renewal standards, and how certificates can be denied or revoked.
- Allows applicants with at least 960 hours of recent paid or volunteer work in a licensed facility to skip minimum education requirements.
- Adds certified community health worker services as an optional benefit that medical assistance programs may offer.
- Requires the Department of Health to seek recommendations from recognized organizations before writing certification rules.
Who it affects
- Individuals who want to become or are already working as community health workers in Alaska.
- The Alaska Department of Health, which must create and manage the new certification system.
- People enrolled in medical assistance programs if their services begin covering these workers.
Limits and unknowns
- The rules for covering these services under medical assistance only start if the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approves them by July 1, 2031.
- Specific training hours, exam details, and fee amounts are not set in this bill because they will be decided later through regulations.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Certified Community Health Worker
- A person who holds a valid state certificate to provide nonmedical health support and connect people with care providers.
- Medical Assistance Coverage
- State programs that help pay for medical services, often known as Medicaid.
- Reciprocity Agreement
- A deal between states to accept each other's professional certificates so workers do not need new ones when moving.
Official record
Sources
Read the official summary
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER CERTIFICATION An Act establishing a community health worker certification; relating to medical assistance coverage for certified community health worker services; and providing for an effective date.
Official activity
Bill history
- (S) REFERRED TO HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES1489
- (S) HSS, FIN1489
- (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1489