This is a big step for Alaska, and we are grateful to Governor Mike Dunleavy for signing HB66 into law. This legislation marks a significant step forward in protecting public safety and supporting victims of sex crimes in Alaska.
We appreciate the hard work of everyone involved, especially the dedication of Assistant Attorney General Kate Tallmadge, Angie Kemp, Director of the Criminal Division, and Assistant Attorney General Kaci Schroeder. Their efforts were instrumental in the passing of this bill, and we are grateful for their commitment to this cause.
HB66 brings numerous positive changes, including:
- Allowing officers to summarize statements of victims and other witnesses at the grand jury phase reduces the need for victims to be traumatized.
- Increasing penalties for those who deliver the most serious controlled substances when a person dies as a result.
- Strengthening the laws surrounding commercial sexual acts.
- Renaming the crime of possession or distribution of child pornography to child sexual abuse material.
- Requiring sex offenders registered in other states to register in Alaska.
- Enacting a new crime of assault in the presence of a child.
These improvements will better protect victims, hold offenders accountable, and enhance the safety of our communities and families.
Scott Slone
Founder, Mighty AK
Growth, Gratitude, and the First Year of Mighty AK
A personal reflection on April milestones, the Phoenix Award, STAR keynote, Ryan Gray’s story, and one year of Mighty AK and looking ahead to growth.
Mighty AK Podcast: Survivor Stories & Solutions for a Safer Alaska
What if the stories we’ve been too afraid to tell are actually the key to ending violence and exploitation in Alaska? In this opening episode, I talk about why Mighty AK exists, how my own journey revealed a deeper need for survivor-led insight, and why our lived experience is the clearest roadmap for prevention and real accountability.