Alaska House Passes Baby Box Bill 35-5

The Alaska House of Representatives passed SB 9 on May 19, 2026, in a 35-to-5 vote, authorizing the use of infant safety devices known as baby boxes. The Senate Republican Caucus's press release announcing the bill's passage did not name the five representatives who voted against the measure.

SB 9 authorizes the use of infant safety devices at designated locations within the state. Baby boxes allow parents to anonymously and safely surrender an infant 21 days or younger. The devices are climate controlled and equipped with 24-hour video surveillance. Designated facilities include hospitals, fire and police stations, birth centers, rural health clinics, and state trooper posts.

Senator Forrest Dunbar sponsored the bill, with co-sponsors including Senators Giessel, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Merrick, and Tobin. Senator Robb Myers, a Republican from North Pole and Senate Minority Whip, supported the legislation. Representative Frank Tomaszewski, a Republican from Fairbanks, carried the bill in the House.

Myers said safe surrender laws are a tool to help save lives. He 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.

Tomaszewski said safe surrender laws are about love, safety, and protecting lives. He said SB 9 is compassionate legislation that ensures every infant is kept safe and every mother in crisis has a secure, judgment-free option. He said if the bill provides comfort and safety to even one mother and her baby, then every ounce of effort to pass it was worth it.

The Senate Republican Caucus stated that two abandoned babies have died in Alaska in the past 15 years.

Under the bill, a parent or surrendering person who relinquishes an unharmed infant at a designated safe surrender site or newborn safety device within the specified age limit is shielded from prosecution for abandonment or endangerment, provided there is no evidence of abuse.

The Senate Republican Caucus said it was proud to work with the Minority Whip and the Executive Branch on the legislation. The caucus encouraged Governor Mike Dunleavy to sign the bill. Alaska would join 22 other states that utilize infant safety devices.