The Alaska Legislature overwhelmingly passed a bill to establish safety devices – also known as “baby boxes” – that can provide an additional option for struggling parents who want to safely surrender infants in times of crisis.

On May 18, the State House voted 35-5 to approve the legislation. The only “nay” votes came from Anchorage Democrats Zack Fields (Anchorage), Carolyn Hall, Donna Meirs, Genevieve Mina and non-affiliated Calvin Schrage.

In March, the State Senate approved its version of the bill 18-2 with Senators Bert Stedman (R-Sitka) and Loki Tobin (D-Anchorage) opposed.

The safety devices would allow parents to anonymously relinquish an infant (21 days old or younger), to avoid possible abandonment and death of the child. The boxes hold the baby in a climate-controlled environment with an automatic lock and constant video surveillance while immediately alerting emergency services. Devices may be located in fire stations, hospitals, birth centers, municipal police departments, rural health clinics, state trooper posts, or other emergency facilities.

Sponsored by Senator Robb Myers (R-North Pole) the bill was strongly supported by pro-life advocates in Fairbanks.

In the past decade and a half, two abandoned babies have tragically died in Alaska.

“Safe surrender laws are a tool to help save lives,” Senate Minority Whip Robb Myers, said. “SB 9 puts another tool in the kit to help parents in crisis and keep babies in safe environments instead of the side of the road.”

Rep. Frank Tomaszewski (R-Fairbanks) agreed.

“Safe surrender laws are all about love, safety, and protecting lives,” he said. “SB 9/HB 64 is compassionate legislation that ensures every infant is kept safe and every mother in crisis has a secure, judgment-free option. If this bill provides comfort and safety to even one mother and her baby, then every ounce of effort to pass it was worth it.”

The bill will now go to Gov. Mike Dunleavy. If he signs the legislation, Alaska will join 22 other states that utilize infant safety devices.

Current Alaska law requires parents to surrender a newborn (21 days old or younger) to another individual – in-person – which can be a barrier for those who cannot bring themselves to relinquish their baby in this manner.

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