2021-09-11                     House Journal                      Page 1500
HB 3009                                                                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 3009 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act relating to utilization review requirements; making                                                                 
    temporary changes to state law in response to the novel                                                                     
    coronavirus disease (COVID-19); relating to telemedicine and                                                                
    telehealth; relating to background checks; and providing for an                                                             
    effective date."                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services                                                            
Committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                  
2.  Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                  
3.  Zero, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated September 2 follows:                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Stutes:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to utilization review                                                           
requirements, making temporary changes to state law in response to                                                              
the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19); relating to telemedicine,                                                             
telehealth, and background checks.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
This bill adds a new subsection to AS 21.06.080 to allow the Director                                                           
of the Division of Insurance to waive certain utilization review                                                                
requirements for placements. The bill also provides for the use of                                                              
telemedicine and telehealth until July 1, 2022. Finally, the bill allows                                                        
for the temporary suspension of certain background check                                                                        
requirements by the Department of Health and Social Services,                                                                   
provided the facility can attest to conducting said background check                                                            
requirements as part of its hiring process. There is an immediate                                                               
effective date.                                                                                                                 

2021-09-11                     House Journal                      Page 1501
Passage of this legislation will enhance workforce and healthcare                                                               
facility capacity, as well as accelerate the State’s ongoing response to                                                        
the transmission of COVID-19.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
**The presence of Representative Kreiss-Tomkins was noted.