Alaska2026Enacted

SB9

Safe Infant Surrender Rules and Civil History Checks

Last scannedSep 20, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law updates rules for parents who safely surrender newborn babies under 21 days old without fear of prosecution or child support, while also changing how the state checks background records to decide on licenses.

Allows a parent to legally give up an infant younger than 21 days by leaving them with specific workers like police officers, doctors, or firefighters, or in a special safety device at approved locations.
States that parents who follow these surrender rules are not required to pay child support and cannot be prosecuted for abandonment if the baby was not injured before being left.
Requires infant safety devices to be climate-controlled, clearly marked with specific signs, equipped with video surveillance, an automated lock, and a system that calls 911 when opened.
Mandates that state departments check specific databases regarding abuse, neglect, or prior license issues when reviewing background history for people applying for licenses or certifications.
Excludes parents who safely surrender a newborn from being flagged in civil history checks just because their child was involved in a court petition based solely on the safe surrender.

Parents of infants younger than 21 days old
Hospitals, fire departments, police stations, and other authorized facilities that may receive surrendered babies or install safety devices
The Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services
Individuals or businesses applying for state licenses or certifications

The official text provided ends abruptly while listing requirements for the automated lock on safety devices.
The bill mentions an effective date in its title but does not list the specific start date in the provided excerpt.
The final document notes a 'manifest error' was corrected, but the exact nature of that correction is not detailed in this text.

Plain language

Infant safety device: A climate-controlled box attached to a building wall where parents can leave a newborn safely, which automatically calls emergency services when opened.
Civil history check: A review of records by the state to see if someone has past issues like abuse or neglect before giving them a license.
Authorized facility: A place approved by law, such as a hospital, fire station, police department, or rural health clinic, that can receive a surrendered infant.

Official record

Validated

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

Official activity