The bill amends existing laws regarding the surrender of infants in Alaska, specifically addressing the conditions under which a parent can safely abandon an infant without facing legal repercussions. It clarifies that a parent can surrender an infant to a person they believe will care for the child, including peace officers, health care providers, or emergency service personnel, or place the infant in an infant safety device located in designated facilities such as hospitals or clinics. The amendments also specify that the parent’s legal duty to support the infant is extinguished upon safe surrender, provided there is no evidence of prior physical injury to the infant.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of individuals and designated facilities receiving surrendered infants, including the requirement to notify the relevant department immediately. It introduces new standards for infant safety devices, mandating features such as climate control, surveillance, and emergency communication systems. The bill also allows for training of emergency personnel on the surrender process and requires the department to contact the tribe if the surrendered infant is identified as an Indian child. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB0009A, AM SB 9, introduced 01/10/2025: 47.10.013, 11.81.500, 25.20.030, 47.10.120, 47.32.900
SB0009B, AM CSSB 9(HSS), introduced 03/14/2025: 47.10.013, 11.81.500, 25.20.030, 47.10.120, 47.32.900, 47.07.900, 17.30.200
SB0009C, AM CSSB 9(JUD), introduced 05/13/2025: 47.10.013, 11.81.500, 25.20.030, 47.10.120, 47.32.900, 47.07.900, 17.30.200