Alaska lawmakers are weighing a proposal that would let parents anonymously surrender newborns in secure "baby boxes," expanding the state's current safe surrender law as the bill moves through the Legislature.
The Alaska Senate approved Senate Bill 9 on March 31 with an 18-2 vote, clearing a major hurdle and sending the measure to the House for further debate.
The bill would authorize temperature-controlled infant safety devices at selected sites, allowing parents to give up a baby without face-to-face contact with a person. Supporters say the devices could prevent deaths of abandoned infants by offering a legal, anonymous option in emergencies, according to Newsweek.
Under current Alaska law, parents may legally surrender an infant 21 days old or younger to a doctor, nurse, firefighter, peace officer, or similar professional without facing criminal charges.
That handoff must happen in person, which some lawmakers and advocates say can be a barrier for parents who fear being recognized or judged. SB 9 would keep the existing in-person option but add baby boxes as another legal way to surrender an infant within the same 21-day window.
The devices would be installed at locations such as hospitals, fire stations, birth centers, municipal police departments, rural health clinics, and state trooper posts, subject to state approval.
When a baby is placed inside, the box automatically locks, maintains a stable temperature, and triggers an alert to nearby staff or emergency services. Video monitoring of the exterior and strict design rules are meant to ensure that infants are reached quickly and cared for safely.
Bill sponsor Sen. Robb Myers, a Republican from North Pole, says recent cases of abandoned infants in Alaska helped drive the push for the new law, the Juneau Independent reported.
In less than 15 years, two babies have died after being abandoned, and another was found alive in extreme cold, according to lawmakers. Myers argues that "no child should die because a parent is afraid," and that baby boxes give struggling parents a last-resort option.
The proposal has also drawn criticism. Some adoptee-rights groups and advocacy organizations outside Alaska warn that anonymous surrenders can limit access to medical history and identity for children later in life.
Anchorage Sen. Loki Tobin voted against the bill, saying the lack of direct contact could weaken informed consent and leave non-surrendering parents unaware if a child is given up.
If the House passes SB 9 and the governor signs it, Alaska would join 22 other states that authorize baby boxes as part of their safe haven systems. The Alaska legislative session runs through May, giving lawmakers several weeks to refine or advance the measure, as per Alaska Watchman.
