IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

                       ORDER NO.   1337   

                                   Amending Evidence Rule 504 to
include changes made by chapter 75 SLA 1998.

IT IS ORDERED:

     1.   Paragraph (a) of Evidence Rule 504 is amended to read:


          (a)  Definitions. As used in this rule:


               * * * *


               (3)  [Effective March 1, 1999.] A
psychotherapist is (A) a person authorized to practice medicine in
any state or nation, or reasonably believed by the patient to be
so, while engaged in the diagnosis or treatment of a mental or
emotional condition, including alcohol or drug addiction, (B) a
person licensed or certified as a psychologist or psychological
examiner under the laws of any state or nation or reasonably
believed by the patient so to be, while similarly engaged, [OR] (C)
a person licensed as a marital or family therapist under the laws
of a state or nation or reasonably believed by the patient so to
be, while similarly engaged, or (D) a person licensed as a
professional counselor under the laws of a state or nation, or
reasonably believed by the patient so to be, while similarly
engaged.
          

               * * * *


     2.   The following note is added at the end of Evidence Rule
504:

               Note to SCO 1337: Evidence Rule 504(a)(3)
          was amended by sec. 5 ch. 75 SLA 1998 to
          expand the definition of "psychotherapist" to
          include licensed professional counselors. 
          Section 1 of this order is adopted for the
          sole reason that the legislature has mandated
          the amendment.

DATED:          August 13, 1998    

EFFECTIVE DATE:   March 1, 1999    



                                   ______________________________
                                   Chief Justice Matthews


                                   ______________________________
                                   Justice Compton


                                   ______________________________
                                   Justice Eastaugh


                                   ______________________________
                                   Justice Fabe
     

                                   ______________________________
                                   Justice Bryner