2023-02-03                     House Journal                      Page 0128
HB 58                                                                                                                         
HOUSE BILL NO. 58 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                    
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act relating to medical assistance for recipients of Medicaid                                                           
    waivers; establishing an adult care home license and procedures;                                                            
    providing for the transition of individuals from foster care to adult                                                       
    home care settings; and providing for an effective date."                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services,                                                           
Labor & Commerce, and Finance Committees.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Health                                                                                                     
2.  Fiscal, Dept. of Health                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 2 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Tilton:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to allow individuals to be                                                               
licensed to operate an adult care home and receive payment under                                                                
Medicaid for the provision of assisted living services for elderly adults                                                       
and adult foster children in a home-like environment.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under this bill, an adult care home would be limited to a non-business                                                          
site where the head of household lives and provides 24-hour care for                                                            
no more than two individuals. The Department of Health (DOH)                                                                    

2023-02-03                     House Journal                      Page 0129
would be able to adopt regulations that allow for care of up to three                                                           
individuals based on certain circumstances.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The bill would authorize DOH to pay for services under the state's                                                              
Medicaid program associated with a licensed adult care home. DOH                                                                
would also be authorized to license and develop rules for the operation                                                         
of an adult care home.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
This bill will allow Alaskans to continue to care for family members in                                                         
their homes while providing access to financial support to offset the                                                           
cost of the care. This bill will encourage foster families to remain                                                            
together when special needs recipients age out of foster care and desire                                                        
to remain with their foster family.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"