Two southwest Alaska tribal governments are fighting to prevent foster children from being held at Anchorage, Alaska-based North Star Behavioral Health Center for indefinite periods of time, according to Alaska Dispatch News.
The tribes, represented by Alaska Legal Services, allege that North Star officials have discovered loopholes in the legal system allowing them to improperly hold foster children at the facility for indefinite periods of time, according to the article.
The tribes filed a lawsuit against North Star and the director of the Alaska office of children's services in 2014 and are now asking the judge to issue a summary judgment in the case before trial.
During a hearing on Tuesday, a lawyer with Alaska Legal Services argued the state and North Star are skirting the law by failing to quickly notify the court when a minor has been placed at the psychiatric facility so a hearing can be scheduled within 72 hours to determine if the minor should stay at North Star.
Alaska Assistant Attorney General Steven Bookman argued the two tribes lack standing to bring the case and the has immunity from the lawsuit, according to the article.