AK HB188

Establishes the Welcoming Alaska Office within the Department of Labor to provide employment information, job placement referrals, and assistance with workplace discrimination claims for new immigrants and newcomers to Alaska

Creates a nine-member Welcoming Alaska Advisory Committee with seven governor-appointed voting members and two non-voting legislative members to develop policy recommendations and monitor state agency services for immigrants

Requires each executive branch department to designate a staff liaison to coordinate with the office on immigrant services and assist with professional license applications

Establishes Welcoming Alaska Centers to provide English and Alaska Native language instruction, employment training, and assistance accessing government programs, prioritizing locations at existing state facilities or University of Alaska campuses

Defines "newcomer" as someone who moved from another state within 36 months and "new immigrant" as a person or child arriving as an immigrant or refugee; repeals the existing office of citizenship assistance; takes effect July 1, 2026