Alaska — Hiring & Onboarding

Alaska has no statewide ban-the-box law restricting criminal history inquiries during the hiring process. Private employers may ask about an applicant's criminal history at any stage, including on the initial employment application. Under AS 12.62.160, "any person" may request Alaska criminal justice information for employment screening purposes, and state law does not require employers to delay criminal history questions until after a conditional offer or interview. Employers must still comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) when using a consumer reporting agency and with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on protected characteristics.

Source: Alaska Department of Public Safety – Background Checks

Alaska requires all employers doing business in the state to report newly hired employees, rehired employees, and employees returning to work to the Alaska Child Support Services Division (CSSD) within 20 days of the date of hire. The requirement is codified at AS 25.27.075 and implements the federal mandate under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. § 653a). The state uses these reports to locate noncustodial parents and establish or enforce child support orders.

Covered employers. AS 25.27.075(a) states that "an employer doing business in the state shall report to the agency the hiring, rehiring, or return to work of each employee," subject to an exception described in subsection (g). The statute does not exempt small employers or define a minimum-employee threshold. The CSSD employer guidance confirms that "all employers doing business in the state" must report, though the text of the subsection (g) exception is not reproduced in that guidance.

Required information. The statute at AS 25.27.075(a) specifies that the report must include the employee's name, address, and Social Security number, plus the employer's name, address, and federal employer identification number (FEIN). CSSD forms and the online portal also request the employee's date of hire, though this field is not listed in the statutory language.

Reporting timeline. AS 25.27.075(b) sets the deadline. The CSSD guidance materials state the report is due "within 20 days of the date of hire," which corresponds to the statute's reference to "the time limits set out in (b) of this section." Employers must count from the employee's actual start date (for new hires) or return-to-work date (for rehires and recalls).

Reporting methods. The CSSD accepts reports electronically through the myAlaska portal (https://my.alaska.gov/), by paper form (state form 04-1050), by fax to 907-787-3197, or by electronic file upload using the CSSD data format. The myAlaska portal is accessible under "Services for Businesses" → "CSSD Business Services Portal." Employers must register a business account; personal myAlaska accounts may not be used for employer reporting.

Multistate employers. Federal law permits a multistate employer to report all new hires to a single designated state in lieu of reporting to each state where employees work, provided the employer notifies the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and transmits data by magnetic media or electronic transfer. 42 U.S.C. § 653a(b)(2). CSSD guidance recognizes this option. An employer not making the designated-state election must report each employee to the state in which that employee works.

Penalties. AS 25.27.075(f) authorizes civil penalties for noncompliance. The CSSD materials state that penalties may be "not more than $10 for each employee" not reported and "$100 if the failure is the result of a conspiracy between the employee and the employer not to supply the required report or to supply a false or incomplete report." The statute does not define "conspiracy" or detail enforcement procedures; the CSSD has not published penalty regulations clarifying when or how it imposes these sanctions.

Data retention. According to CSSD guidance interpreting AS 25.27.075(f), the agency retains new-hire information only for employees who owe a support obligation or are parties to a paternity proceeding. For employees who do not owe support and are not involved in paternity cases, the statute directs the agency not to create a record, and reported information "shall be promptly destroyed."

Contact. The CSSD Employer Assistance line is available at 907-269-6089 (within Anchorage) or toll-free 1-877-269-6685 (outside Anchorage). Email inquiries may be sent to dor.css.newhire@alaska.gov.

Source: Alaska Child Support Services Division – Employer Information