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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

SB236

Alaska Veteran Sentencing Program

Last scannedSep 10, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill creates a special court program that allows eligible veterans with service-related health issues to receive treatment instead of prison for certain crimes.

What it does

  • Requires police officers to ask arrested people if they are military veterans immediately after arrest.
  • Mandates courts to tell defendants about the veteran sentencing program during their first court appearance.
  • Allows judges to place eligible veterans in a treatment and supervision plan instead of standard prison sentences for misdemeanors or Class C felonies.
  • Permits courts to set aside convictions, reduce felonies to misdemeanors, or remove records from public view if a veteran successfully finishes the program.
  • Adds veteran status as a factor judges may consider when deciding on sentencing options.

Who it affects

  • Veterans who are arrested and charged with eligible crimes in Alaska
  • Police officers who arrest people
  • Judges and court staff handling criminal cases

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill does not say when the law will officially start taking effect.
  • Courts can deny participation if they decide it would not keep the public safe.
  • Veterans are only eligible for this program if their crime is a misdemeanor or a Class C felony.

Plain language

Terms to know

Condition from military service
A health issue like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or substance use disorder that is linked to a person's time in the armed forces.
Veteran sentencing program
A court-supervised plan offering treatment and probation instead of prison for eligible veterans.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

VETERANS; SENTENCE PROG; CRIM PROCEDURE An Act creating a veteran sentencing program; relating to release procedures; amending Rules 35 and 43, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (S) Minutes (SSTA)Min
  2. (S) Heard & HeldText
  3. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  4. (S) COSPONSOR(S): KAWASAKI1646
  5. (S) REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS1643
  6. (S) STA, JUD1643
  7. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1643