HB 61 Summary

• Establishes a statewide registry for advance health care directives maintained by the department or a contracted registry organization, containing names of individuals and scanned copies of their written directives.

• Allows individuals to voluntarily file their written advance health care directives with the registry and permits removal of directives upon written request.

• Provides 24-hour Internet access to Alaska hospitals to check if a patient has a filed directive and obtain copies, while restricting access to authorized individuals and facilities.

• Grants health care facilities and hospitals immunity from civil or criminal liability for acting on directives obtained from the registry or for failing to check the registry.

• Permits the department to charge fees for filing and copying directives (not to exceed administrative costs) but prohibits fees for removals or facility inquiries; requires regulations for security procedures, access requirements, and directive management.