HB 228 Summary

• Establishes the Alaska Task Force for the Regulation of Psychedelic Medicines Approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration within the legislature to prepare for potential federal approval of psychedelic medicines.

• Task force duties include assessing potential use of psychedelic medicines for the state's mental health crisis, considering implementation barriers and equitable access, and recommending licensing and insurance requirements for practitioners.

• Task force composition includes three state commissioners (health, military/veterans, commerce), representatives from mental health organizations, Alaska Native health boards, domestic violence survivors' groups, medical professionals (physicians, psychiatrists, pharmacists, nurses, therapists), and one each from the Alaska Senate and House.

• Senate president and House speaker each appoint one member to serve as co-chairs, and the task force may optionally appoint one additional member once assembled.

• Task force must meet at least four times and submit recommendations to the legislature by January 31, 2025, then automatically terminates at the end of the First Regular Session of the Thirty-Fourth Alaska State Legislature.