AK SB112

Establishes procedures for petitions and proxies for adoption or guardianship of Indian children in state custody, preserving placement preferences under the Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C. 1915).

Allows adoption and guardianship proceedings to be heard as part of child-in-need-of-aid proceedings or in the petitioner's judicial district with notice to parties and no objections.

Permits filing of adoption or guardianship petitions to be held in abeyance until the court approves adoption or guardianship as the permanent plan for the child.

Creates a "proxy for a formal petition" mechanism allowing extended family members, tribe members, or other Indian family members to file a proxy to preserve placement preferences while seeking immediate permanent placement of an Indian child.

Requires courts to make written findings regarding whether petitioners are entitled to placement preferences under state law or federal Indian Child Welfare Act provisions, and whether current placements comply with or deviate from those preferences.

Effective January 1, 2017, contingent on sections 14-17 receiving a two-thirds majority vote in both houses as required by the Alaska Constitution.