NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF EMERGENCY REGULATIONS
ON THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN SUBJECT TO THE INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to make permanent changes to regulations made by emergency regulation adopted on April 15, 2015, related to the adoption of children in state custody and to improve compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act. |
On April 15, 2015, the Department of Health & Social Services adopted, as emergency regulations, changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code. Specifically, 7 AAC 54 was amended to add a new section, 7 AAC 54.600, relating to the adoption of children in state custody and to improve compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act.
The emergency regulations took effect April 15, 2015, and will expire August 12, 2015. The Department of Health & Social Services intends to make the emergency regulations permanent.
You may comment on the regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the changes, by submitting written comments to Tracy Spartz Campbell at the Office of Children's Services, P.O. Box 110630, Juneau, AK 99811-0630.
Additionally, the Department of Health & Social Services will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 465-3397 or by electronic mail at tracy.spartz-campbell@alaska.gov . The comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 15, 2015.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Tracy Spartz Campbell by e-mail at tracy.spartz-campbell@alaska.gov or at 130 Seward Street, Juneau, AK 99801. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Health & Social Services will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and response available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System. The Department of Health & Social Services may, but is not required to, answer written questions received after the 10-day cut-off date and before the end of the comment period.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Tracy Spartz Campbell at (907) 465-4894 no later than May 15, 2015, to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
For a copy of the emergency regulations, contact Tracy Spartz Campbell at the Office of Children's Services, P.O. Box 110630, Juneau, AK 99811-0630; or by telephone at (907) 465-4894; or go to the Alaska Online Public Notice System at https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/default.aspx. The language of the permanent regulations may be different from that of the original emergency regulations and may include other provisions dealing with the same subject. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.
Statutory Authority: AS 47.05.065; AS 47.10.080; AS 47.10.088; AS 47.14.010
Statutes Being Implemented, Interpreted, or Made Specific: AS 47.05.065; AS 47.10.080; AS 47.10.088; AS 47.14.010
Fiscal Information: The regulations are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
DATE: April 16, 2015.
/s/Valerie “Nurr’araaluk” Davidson, Commissioner
Department of Health & Social Services