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AlaskaSB 934th Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

SURRENDER OF INFANTS; INF. SAFETY DEVICE

Sponsored By: Robert Myers (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

More safe surrender options for parents

Beginning July 1, 2026, parents who qualify for prosecution protection can surrender infants through approved safety devices. Devices accept only infants under 21 days old. Approved locations include hospitals, health facilities, physician offices, clinics, police and trooper facilities, and fire departments. Parents can also surrender infants to police officers, community health aides, physicians, hospital employees, and on-duty fire or emergency medical workers. The parent must not express an intent to return, and the device must meet the law's safety standards. When there is no evidence of injury before abandonment, the qualifying surrender ends the parent's legal duty to support the infant.

Immediate agency and tribal surrender notices

Beginning July 1, 2026, facilities must immediately report device surrenders to the nearest Alaska Department of Family and Community Services office. If the department determines that the infant is an Indian child, it must immediately contact the child's tribe. These rules require prompt agency and tribal notice after a device surrender.

Limits on claims against surrender recipients

Beginning July 1, 2026, safe-surrender recipients are not liable for civil damages for failing to perform listed recipient duties. This protection covers individuals, agencies, approved facilities, and other entities receiving infants through lawful safe surrender. The listed duties include notifying the department, offering identity and medical-history discussion when the parent is willing, and discussing adoption choices. The limit applies only to damages based on failure to perform those duties, not every possible claim.

Broader license checks protect surrendering parents

Beginning July 1, 2026, Alaska's health and family services departments must set civil-history standards and identify databases for license checks. The standards cover adult abuse or exploitation, specified legal violations, child abuse or neglect, and child welfare petitions. They also cover state job terminations, substantiated workplace misconduct, professional discipline, and similar records from other jurisdictions. These records can affect license or certification approval and renewal. Agencies cannot use a child welfare petition against a parent, guardian, custodian, or Indian custodian who had custody when the petition was filed if safe surrender was its only basis. That protection also applies to the specified database identification process; other grounds remain open for review.

Safer infant devices require facility checks

Beginning July 1, 2026, approved infant safety devices must be clearly visible to staff and temperature-controlled. They must send a 911 request when opened, allow 24-hour staff video monitoring, and lock after placement. Signs must state the under-21-days age limit and list in-person surrender, 911 emergency help, and 211 support resources. A QR barcode must link to department information. Installation and maintenance must follow manufacturer guidelines and department rules, with manufacturer or representative inspections at installation and annually. Facilities must conduct and log monthly checks that test alarms, cameras, temperature controls, and locks.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Robert Myers

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Mike Cronk

    Republican • Senate

  • David Nelson

    Republican • House

  • Cathy Giessel

    Republican • Senate

  • Elvi Gray-Jackson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Hughes

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Andy Josephson

    Democratic • House

  • Frank Tomaszewski

    Republican • House

  • Jubilee Underwood

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 53 • No: 7

House vote • 5/18/2026

PASSED Y35 N5

Yes: 35 • No: 5

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

PASSED Y18 N2

Yes: 18 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW 9/10/26

    9/30/2026Senate

  2. (S) SIGNED INTO LAW 9/9 CHAPTER 61 SLA 26

    9/30/2026Senate

  3. (S) 12:30 P.M. 8/24/26 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR

    8/24/2026Senate

  4. (S) MANIFEST ERROR(S)

    8/24/2026Senate

  5. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

    5/19/2026Senate

  6. (S) CONCUR AM OF (H) Y20 N-

    5/19/2026Senate

  7. (S) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND TAKEN UP

    5/19/2026Senate

  8. (H) VERSION: HCS CSSB 9(JUD)

    5/18/2026House

  9. (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) AS AMENDED

    5/18/2026House

  10. (H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): JOSEPHSON, D.NELSON, UNDERWOOD

    5/18/2026House

  11. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

    5/18/2026House

  12. (H) PASSED Y35 N5

    5/18/2026House

  13. (H) READ THE THIRD TIME HCS CSSB 9(JUD)

    5/18/2026House

  14. (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC

    5/18/2026House

  15. (H) TITLE CHANGE: HCR 14

    5/18/2026House

  16. (H) JUD HCS ADOPTED UC

    5/18/2026House

  17. (H) READ THE SECOND TIME

    5/18/2026House

  18. (H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/18/2026

    5/18/2026House

  19. (H) FN7: ZERO(DFC)

    4/27/2026House

  20. (H) FN6: ZERO(DPS)

    4/27/2026House

  21. (H) FN5: ZERO(DOH)

    4/27/2026House

  22. (H) NR: EISCHEID, MINA, GRAY

    4/27/2026House

  23. (H) DP: VANCE, UNDERWOOD, COSTELLO

    4/27/2026House

  24. (H) TITLE CHANGE: HCR 14

    4/27/2026House

  25. (H) JUD RPT HCS(JUD) NEW TITLE 3DP 3NR

    4/27/2026House

Bill Text

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