Friend –

The 32nd Legislative Session is underway, and as always, there's a lot to pay attention to.

Here's a quick look at our legislative priorities:

Ensuring the rights and safety of prisoners.

We need oversight of how the Department of Corrections (DOC) has severely restricted access to rehabilitation and visitation during COVID-19, and proactive efforts to support people in prison and the community upon release. We support:

• HB 118, which would expand the ability for incarcerated people to use technology for rehabilitation and assisting re-entry.
• Investments in community-based and culturally responsive services like mental health and substance misuse treatment, housing, and employment services.
• SB 114, a bill to provide more meaningful opportunities for parole for minors sentenced as adults.

Strengthening Alaskans' voting rights.

Alaskans must be free to exercise their fundamental voting rights, which is why we support HB 66, a bill that expands voting rights by allowing voters to register within 30 days of an election, elect to vote by absentee ballot in future elections, and fix mistakes with their absentee ballots.

Police accountability and transparency.

We support a package of police reform bills that would standardize how police use force in Alaska and require greater transparency on the use of force.

Non-discrimination.

ACLU of Alaska supports the passage of legislation to protect all our LGBTQ+ neighbors from discrimination. HB 17/SB 149 would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression – including in employment, housing, and access to public accommodations.

Playing defense.

We know we will need to defend against attacks on transgender people, people seeking abortion care, and freedom of expression. Our goal is to make sure these don't gain traction and to stop them if they do.

Learn more about our 2022 legislative priorities.

Thanks for sticking with us,

Michael Garvey
Advocacy Director, ACLU of Alaska