Alaska Employment Law

Sedwick on Social Security Disability:  U. S. District Judge John Sedwick has affirmed an ALJ’s denial of disability benefits, based on independent findings of malingering and (using clear and convincing evidence) of unreliable testimony.  Bass v. Astrue, 2008 WL 4600772 (D.Alaska Oct. 15, 2008).  Paul Eaglin of Fairbanks represented the claimant; Nancy Mishalanie of the Seattle office of SSA represented the agency.

Barrier crimes:  Alaskans who want to work with vulnerable people (for instance, children, and adults with disabilities) are out of luck if they’ve committed so-called “barrier crimes.”   Here’s a chart of such crimes.   Some non-criminal activity (most importantly, domestic violence) may also bar such employment.  There’s a process for requesting a variance from the State.  I’ll post an article on this subject when I learn more. 

Alaska’s Public Records Act:  In an article for The Anchorage Press, Brendan Joel Kelley covers the State’s fees for document requests under the state’s Little FOIA law, and possible legislative responses to the unprecedented demand for state records during the current Presidential campaign.