Solicitation for Public Input – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Regulatory Revisions

Notice of Public Scoping Under Administrative Order 360 for possible Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Regulation Changes

8 AAC 98 (Vocational Rehabilitation)

Article 1 Plans of Service

Article 2 Business Enterprise Program

Article 3 Confidentiality of Personal Information

Article 4 Hearings and Appeals

Article 5 Order of Selection for Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Article 6 General Provisions

Background. In response to Administrative Order 360, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is soliciting written and oral comments from affected industries, community organizations, and the general public regarding regulations and materials incorporated by reference in 8 AAC 98.010 - 8 AAC 98.990.

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is undertaking this solicitation process to ask the public for ideas, suggestions, and input before the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation drafts or proposes any specific regulation amendments or repeals for public review.

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is particularly interested in specific ideas for regulatory change that may:

• clarify existing regulatory obligations;
• reduce costs for the public, industry, or government;
• improve or streamline procedures, application requirements, and review processes, for example reducing the time required to apply for a license, permit, or benefit;
• reduce administrative burdens;
• streamline permitting procedures;
• improve communication procedures;
• provide greater transparency with respect to standards, decision-making, and rationales for application processing; or
• clarify interagency roles.

Written comments. Written comments must be received by October 30, 2025, 5:00pm Alaska time. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will consider comments filed after this date to the extent practicable.

Written comments may be emailed to dol.dvr.info@alaska.gov (Reference “2025 DVR Reg Reform” in the subject line), or mailed to DVR, PO Box 115516, Juneau, AK, 99811.  Include your name, organization (if applicable), contact information, and any supporting documentation.

Comments provided should relate to, and specifically cite, the portion of regulation under 8 AAC 98.

Public meeting. Oral comments may be submitted during a stakeholder meeting to be held via Zoom on October 20, 2025.

https://zoom.us/j/3284932828?pwd=QWMvY2p4dUgvaVEzNDUxMFNDUWFnZz09&omn=94963929462

• Meeting ID: 328 493 2828
• Passcode: 001155

Phone / Audio Only: 888 475 4499 US Toll-free

There will not be in-person attendance provided at the hearing site, so please prepare to share your oral comments by telephone or video only.  The hearing is scheduled from 1:00 to 3:00 and priority will be given to commenters on the line before the beginning of the hearing. The hearing may be extended to accommodate those on the line before 3:00 who did not have an opportunity to comment. Before the start of the hearing, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation may limit the time allotted for each person providing oral testimony, as reasonably necessary to conclude the hearing in the time provided.

If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Jason Caputo at Jason.caputo@alaska.gov  or 907-465-6933 no later than October 10, 2025, to ensure that any necessary accommodation can be provided.

Please note that input provided in response to this solicitation will be subject to inspection, copying, and distribution as public records under AS 40.25.110 – 40.25.220.  Please do not include any confidential information in written or oral comments.

Questions. For questions or more information, contact our Agency Regulatory Liaison, Kim Kolvig, Special Assistant to the Commissioner at Kimberly.kolvig@alaska.gov or 907-465-5870.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is not currently proposing any specific regulation change and there are no draft regulations prepared for public comment under the Administrative Procedure Act at this time. If the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation undertakes revisions to these regulations, there will be an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed regulation changes that are released for public review and comment under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Individuals can sign up to receive automated notifications of all State of Alaska notices, including public notice for regulation changes, by subscribing to the Alaska Online Public Notices System: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Default.aspx.

8 AAC 98 (article and section reference links)

Article 1 Plans of Service

8 AAC 98.010. Alaska plan.  

Article 2 Business Enterprise Program

8 AAC 98.300. Scope of regulations.  

8 AAC 98.310. Prerequisites for training of vending facility managers.  

8 AAC 98.320. Training of vending facility managers.  

8 AAC 98.330. Certification of trained vending facility managers.  

8 AAC 98.340. Licensing of certified vending facility managers.  

8 AAC 98.350. Reimbursement.  

8 AAC 98.360. Continuing education.  

8 AAC 98.370. Responsibilities of a licensee.  

8 AAC 98.380. Vending facility staffing.  

8 AAC 98.390. Establishment of vending facility locations.  

8 AAC 98.400. Equipment, fixtures, and initial stock.  

8 AAC 98.410. Repair and replacement of equipment and fixtures.  

8 AAC 98.420. Termination of business.  

8 AAC 98.430. Distribution and use of vending machine income.  

8 AAC 98.440. Income and set-aside fund.  

8 AAC 98.450. Access to program and financial information.  

8 AAC 98.455. Active participation by vendors.  

8 AAC 98.460. Revocation of licenses.  

8 AAC 98.470. Administrative review.  

8 AAC 98.480. Evidentiary hearing.  

Article 3 Confidentiality of Personal Information

8 AAC 98.510. Purpose.

8 AAC 98.520. Collection, use, and confidentiality of information.  

8 AAC 98.530. Release of information to client.  

8 AAC 98.540. Release of information with client consent.  

8 AAC 98.550. Release of information without client consent.  

Article 4 Hearings and Appeals

8 AAC 98.600. Scope.

8 AAC 98.610. Procedures for administrative review.  

8 AAC 98.620. Change to the individualized written rehabilitation program; procedures for expedited administrative review.  

8 AAC 98.630. Procedures for fair hearing.  

Article 5 Order of Selection for Vocational Rehabilitation Services

8 AAC 98.700. Order of selection for vocational rehabilitation services.  

Article 6 General Provisions

8 AAC 98.990. Definitions.