Alaska2026Passed Legislature
SB220
Alaska Community Health Worker Certification Bill
Last scannedSep 10, 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
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