Alaska Administrative Code Title 21 - Ombudsman
Here’s a detailed overview of Alaska Administrative Code – Title 21: Ombudsman:
📚 Structure of Title 21
According to LII and Justia, Title 21 is organized into the following chapters and articles:
Chapter 05 – Organization and Procedure
Note: This chapter has been repealed (law.cornell.edu).
Chapter 10 – Office Management
Contains Articles 1–4, covering aspects like internal administration, staffing, confidentiality, and public outreach (law.cornell.edu).
Chapter 20 – Investigations
Comprises Articles 1–4, detailing authority, scope, and methodology for investigative work (law.cornell.edu).
Chapter 25 – Complaint Intake and Ombudsman Investigations
Encompasses Articles 1 through 6, addressing processes for receiving, evaluating, investigating, reporting, confidentiality, publication, and general rules (law.cornell.edu).
🔍 Highlights from Key Sections
Chapter 25 – Complaint Process Flow
Article 1: Receiving & Evaluating Complaints
21 AAC 25.010 explains complaint form requirements: most can be filed verbally or in writing, but complaints against agency employees must be written and signed. The ombudsman can assist in drafting and must accommodate disabilities or language barriers (regulations.justia.com).
21 AAC 25.050 states that if the ombudsman declines to investigate, they must notify the complainant with reasons and may extend the typical 30-day evaluation period (casetext.com).
Articles 2–3: Investigation Procedures & Reporting
Outline standards for investigating, consulting agencies, producing reports, and issuing recommendations.
Article 4: Confidential Records
Includes provisions like 21 AAC 25.350, which governs confidentiality disputes—empowering the ombudsman to challenge agency interpretations if deemed incorrect (casetext.com, akleg.gov).
Article 5: Publication by the Ombudsman
Defines how and when reports, summaries, or findings may be released to the public (sections § 25.400–25.430).
Article 6: General Provisions
Covers broad regulatory elements like definitions, timeframes, and compliance mechanisms (§ 25.510–25.530).
📌 Other Noteworthy Points
Office Management Rules (Chapter 10) also set policies for staff confidentiality, handling of records, and internal governance (regulations.justia.com, law.cornell.edu, law.cornell.edu).
Investigation Rules (Chapter 20) guide the Ombudsman’s powers—such as access to information, subpoena abilities, and coordination with other agencies .
✅ At-a-Glance
| Title 21 – Ombudsman | Content |
|---|---|
| Structure | Chapters 05 (repealed), 10, 20, 25 |
| Complaint Flow | Intake → Evaluation → Investigation → Reporting → Publication |
| Key Rules | 21 AAC 25.010 (intake form), 25.050 (initial evaluation), 25.350 (confidentiality), 25.400–430 (publication) |
| Scope | Internal office rules, investigative authority, data confidentiality |
🧭 Next Steps
Want the full text from a specific article (e.g., data confidentiality or published reports)?
Interested in how Title 21 aligns with Title 44 statutes or comparisons to other states?
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