Alaska Statutes
Alaska Stat. § 47.30.655 (2026)
Purpose and principles of major revision
✓ current as of July 2026
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Sec. 47.30.655. Purpose and principles of major revision.
The purpose of the 1981 major revision of Alaska civil commitment statutes (AS 47.30.660 and 47.30.670 — 47.30.915) is to more adequately protect the legal rights of persons suffering from mental illness. The legislature has attempted to balance the individual's constitutional right to physical liberty and the state's interest in protecting society from persons who are dangerous to others and protecting persons who are dangerous to themselves by providing due process safeguards at all stages of commitment proceedings. In addition, the following principles of modern mental health care have guided this revision:
(1) that persons be given every reasonable opportunity to accept voluntary treatment before involvement with the judicial system;
(2) that persons be treated in the least restrictive alternative environment consistent with their treatment needs;
(3) that treatment occur as promptly as possible and as close to the individual's home as possible;
(4) that a system of mental health community facilities and supports be available;
(5) that patients be informed of their rights and be informed of and allowed to participate in their treatment program as much as possible;
(6) that persons who are mentally ill but not dangerous to others be committed only if there is a reasonable expectation of improving their mental condition.
The purpose of the 1981 major revision of Alaska civil commitment statutes (AS 47.30.660 and 47.30.670 — 47.30.915) is to more adequately protect the legal rights of persons suffering from mental illness. The legislature has attempted to balance the individual's constitutional right to physical liberty and the state's interest in protecting society from persons who are dangerous to others and protecting persons who are dangerous to themselves by providing due process safeguards at all stages of commitment proceedings. In addition, the following principles of modern mental health care have guided this revision:
(1) that persons be given every reasonable opportunity to accept voluntary treatment before involvement with the judicial system;
(2) that persons be treated in the least restrictive alternative environment consistent with their treatment needs;
(3) that treatment occur as promptly as possible and as close to the individual's home as possible;
(4) that a system of mental health community facilities and supports be available;
(5) that patients be informed of their rights and be informed of and allowed to participate in their treatment program as much as possible;
(6) that persons who are mentally ill but not dangerous to others be committed only if there is a reasonable expectation of improving their mental condition.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16
cases (9 in the last 5 years), 2006–2025 · leading case: In Re the Necessity for the Hospitalization of Joan K., 273 P.3d 594 (Alaska 2012).
In Re the Necessity for the Hospitalization of Joan K., 273 P.3d 594 (Alaska 2012). “[21] See AS 47.30.655(2) (noting principle of modern mental health care "that persons be treated in the least restrictive alternative environment consistent with their treatment needs"); AS 47.”
E.P. v. Alaska Psychiatric Inst., 205 P.3d 1101 (Alaska 2009). “AS 47.30.655. 19 . Id. 20 . AS 47.30.655(6).”
In Re Darren M., 426 P.3d 1021 (Alaska 2018). “As expressed in AS 47.30.655(6), one of the principles underlying the revision was "that persons who are mentally ill but not dangerous to others be committed only if there is a reasonable expectation of improving their mental condition.”
Wetherhorn v. Alaska Psychiatric Inst., 156 P.3d 371 (Alaska 2007). “Shapiro, Dir. of Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities, Dep't of Health & Soc.”
In Re the Necessity for the Hospitalization of Mark V., 375 P.3d 51 (Alaska 2016). “1804 ), 20 , AS 47.30.655(2). 21 . AS 47.30.730(a)(2).”
In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of Vern H., 486 P.3d 1123 (Alaska 2021). “25 AS 47.30.655 (explaining purpose of 1981 revisions was “to more adequately protect the legal rights of persons suffering from mental illness” and noting principles that guided revision).”
Myers v. Alaska Psychiatric Inst., 138 P.3d 238 (Alaska 2006). “590, AS 47.30.655, AS 47.30.660, AS 47.30.690, AS 47.”
In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of Mabel B., In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of: Sarah D., 485 P.3d 1018 (Alaska 2021). “53 AS 47.30.655(3). 54 AS 47.30.730-.740. 55 Cty.”
In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of: Tonja P., 524 P.3d 795 (Alaska 2023). “11 AS 47.30.655 (describing “purpose and principles” of revision to civil commitment statutes).”
In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of: Mark V., In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of: Mark V., 501 P.3d 228 (Alaska 2021). “4 See AS 47.30.655(2) (requiring that mentally ill “persons be treated in the least restrictive alternative environment consistent with their treatment needs”); AS 47.”
In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of: Sergio F., 529 P.3d 74 (Alaska 2023). “”16 We have explained that “the trial court’s deliberate consideration of [whether less restrictive alternatives exist] is critical to the protection of the respondent’s liberty interests.”
In the Matter of the Necessity of the Hospitalization of Declan P., 538 P.3d 318 (Alaska 2023). “’ ” (quoting AS 47.30.655(2))); In re Hospitalization of Naomi B.”
— Alaska Stat. § 47.30.655(2) — 8 cases
In Re the Necessity for the Hospitalization of Joan K., 273 P.3d 594 (Alaska 2012). “[21] See AS 47.30.655(2) (noting principle of modern mental health care "that persons be treated in the least restrictive alternative environment consistent with their treatment needs"); AS 47.”
In Re the Necessity for the Hospitalization of Mark V., 375 P.3d 51 (Alaska 2016). “1804 ), 20 , AS 47.30.655(2). 21 . AS 47.30.730(a)(2).”
In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of: Mark V., In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of: Mark V., 501 P.3d 228 (Alaska 2021). “4 See AS 47.30.655(2) (requiring that mentally ill “persons be treated in the least restrictive alternative environment consistent with their treatment needs”); AS 47.”
In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of: Sergio F., 529 P.3d 74 (Alaska 2023). “”16 We have explained that “the trial court’s deliberate consideration of [whether less restrictive alternatives exist] is critical to the protection of the respondent’s liberty interests.”
In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of Vern H., 486 P.3d 1123 (Alaska 2021). “25 AS 47.30.655 (explaining purpose of 1981 revisions was “to more adequately protect the legal rights of persons suffering from mental illness” and noting principles that guided revision).”
— Alaska Stat. § 47.30.655(3) — 1 case
In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of Mabel B., In the Matter of the Necessity for the Hospitalization of: Sarah D., 485 P.3d 1018 (Alaska 2021). “53 AS 47.30.655(3). 54 AS 47.30.730-.740. 55 Cty.”
— Alaska Stat. § 47.30.655(6) — 3 cases
E.P. v. Alaska Psychiatric Inst., 205 P.3d 1101 (Alaska 2009). “AS 47.30.655. 19 . Id. 20 . AS 47.30.655(6).”
In Re Darren M., 426 P.3d 1021 (Alaska 2018). “As expressed in AS 47.30.655(6), one of the principles underlying the revision was "that persons who are mentally ill but not dangerous to others be committed only if there is a reasonable expectation of improving their mental condition.”
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