EXPAND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES
Sponsored By: SENATE HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
Became Law
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Medicaid can cover early intervention for toddlers
The law lets Alaska Medicaid cover early intervention services for eligible children under age 3, plus reasonable rides to care. This coverage starts only after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approves the state plan or says approval is not needed by July 1, 2028. The Department must submit any needed Medicaid plan changes. If approved, coverage begins the day after the federal decision.
New early intervention rules for infants
Starting July 1, 2026, services only cover children under 3 who are actually experiencing a developmental delay or disability. Kids described only as “at risk” are no longer eligible. Eligibility uses clear percent rules: 15% below age norms for non‑IDEA services, or 25% in one area or 20% in two areas for IDEA services. The law lists covered services like therapy, medical and diagnostic care, family training, sign language, vision care, and transportation. Every family plan must spell out case management, the child’s current levels, family concerns, services with frequency and dates, goals, and transition steps. The law also ends a state paraprofessional training program.
State review and report on toddler services
The Department of Health reviews qualifying disability conditions at least every five years with medical experts and the state council. By July 1, 2029, it must report how many children need and get services, service types and costs, federal funding, and ideas to improve and expand help.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
SENATE HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
(H) <Pending Referral>
5/16/2026House(H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519
5/16/2026House(H) -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Please Note Time & Location Change --
5/15/2026House(H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 08:00 AM GRUENBERG 120
5/15/2026House(H) -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- MEETING CANCELED --
5/14/2026House(H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:15 PM DAVIS 106
5/14/2026House(H) REFERRED TO HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
5/14/2026House(H) HSS, FIN
5/14/2026House(H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
5/14/2026House(S) VERSION: CSSB 178(FIN)
5/13/2026Senate(S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
5/13/2026Senate(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
5/13/2026Senate(S) PASSED Y20 N-
5/13/2026Senate(S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB 178(FIN)
5/13/2026Senate(S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/13 CAL
5/12/2026Senate(S) FIN CS ADOPTED UC
5/12/2026Senate(S) READ THE SECOND TIME
5/12/2026Senate(S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/12/2026
5/12/2026Senate(S) FN4: (DOH)
5/11/2026Senate(S) FN3: (DOH)
5/11/2026Senate(S) NR: STEDMAN, KAUFMAN, CRONK, MERRICK
5/11/2026Senate(S) DP: OLSON, HOFFMAN, KIEHL
5/11/2026Senate(S) FIN RPT CS 3DP 4NR SAME TITLE
5/11/2026Senate(S) Moved CSSB 178(FIN) Out of Committee -- Please Note Time Change --
5/7/2026Senate(S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
5/7/2026Senate
Bill Text
CSSB 178(FIN)
5/11/2026
SB 178
4/22/2025