AK HB44

Establishes a statewide registry for advance health care directives to be maintained by the Department of Health or a contracted organization, containing names of individuals who have filed directives and scanned copies of those directives.

Allows individuals to voluntarily file their written advance health care directives with the registry, with removal available upon written request.

Requires the department to make the registry accessible 24 hours a day on the Internet to Alaska hospitals to check if patients have filed directives and obtain copies.

Protects health care facilities and hospitals from civil or criminal liability for acting on directives obtained from the registry or for not checking the registry before treating patients.

Authorizes the department to charge fees for filing and copying directives that do not exceed administrative costs, but prohibits fees for removing directives or answering facility inquiries about whether a patient has a directive on file.