Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB64

Safe Surrender of Infants and Safety Device Rules

Last scannedSep 21, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill updates Alaska law to allow parents to safely leave infants with specific workers or in special safety devices without fear of prosecution, while setting new rules for how those devices must work.

Allows a parent to give up an infant by leaving them with certain trusted people like police officers, community health aides, doctors, hospital employees, firefighters, or emergency medical service volunteers acting within their duties.
Permits parents to leave infants in special safety boxes located at hospitals, fire stations, police posts, and other approved places designated by the commissioner.
States that if these rules are followed, the parent is not charged for abandonment and no longer has a legal duty to support the child financially.
Requires any person who receives an infant this way to care for the baby and immediately notify state officials.
Sets strict safety standards for infant safety devices, including climate control, video cameras that allow 24-hour monitoring, automatic 911 alerts when opened, and automated locks.

Parents of infants in Alaska who choose to surrender their child safely
Police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, hospital employees, community health aides, and emergency medical service volunteers
Hospitals, fire departments, police stations, rural health clinics, birth centers, private physician offices, and other facilities that install safety devices
The state department responsible for health and social services

This protection only applies if there is no evidence that the infant was physically hurt before being left.
The bill requires parents to leave without expressing an intent to return for the infant.
Some locations of safety devices depend on future decisions by state officials and regulations.

Plain language

Infant Safety Device: A special box located at a designated facility where an infant can be left safely.
Designated Facility: Any hospital, fire station, police post, or other approved place that has an infant safety device installed.
Extinguished Duty to Support: The legal rule stating the parent no longer owes money for food, shelter, or care once the baby is surrendered safely under this law.

Official record

Validated

SURRENDER OF INFANTS; INF. SAFETY DEVICE An Act relating to the surrender of infants; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity