(a) For work therapy, as defined in Alaska Stat. § 47.37.270, a participant in a residential drug abuse or alcoholism treatment program designed to extend more than 120 days may be paid less than the minimum wage prescribed in Alaska Stat. § 23.10.050 – 23.10.150 if the rate has been approved by the commissioner under this section and is in compliance with federal law.
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(b) The commissioner shall adopt regulations regarding the payment of wages for work therapy. In adopting the regulations, the commissioner shall consider whether the work performed by the patient
(1) is solely for the benefit of the patient and is that which is ordinarily carried on by patients in a residential treatment program;(2) would ordinarily be performed by full-time employees of the program;(3) is work that may produce income to the patient, other than wages;(4) produces goods or services the proceeds of which will economically or otherwise benefit the owners, operators, or businesses of the rehabilitation program; and(5) creates an unfair competition with private enterprise because of lower wage standards.
