AK HB187

Prohibits the Department of Corrections from entering into agreements with private agencies to operate correctional facilities, whether located in or outside Alaska.

Requires correctional facilities provided through public agency agreements to be located in Alaska unless the commissioner finds in writing that an out-of-state agreement is necessary for specific reasons: locating a prisoner closer to family, health or security considerations, or reducing costs for non-resident prisoners or those sentenced to 99+ years.

Eliminates the commissioner's authority to consider out-of-state facility locations based solely on general cost reduction or prisoner overcrowding emergencies.

For prisoners sentenced to 99 or more years who are parents, allows out-of-state placement only if they have no children under 18 residing in Alaska or if parental rights to any Alaska-resident children have been terminated.

The amended provisions apply only to contracts entered into on or after the effective date, which is immediately upon enactment.