Alaska 34th Alaska State Legislature Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 6 R · 2 D cosponsors

SB9 — SURRENDER OF INFANTS; INF. SAFETY DEVICE

Last action — CHAPTER 61 SLA 26

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 22, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 9 sponsors

    1 primary, 8 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (6 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill addresses the safe surrender of infants using a safety device.

This bill establishes a process for parents to safely surrender their infants through designated safety devices. It aims to promote infant safety and welfare by providing an alternative for parents in crisis.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

163 added · 99 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill SB 9 includes a clarification that specifies the standards for civil history that the Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services must establish regarding licenses or certifications for individuals involved in child custody cases. This change is important because it helps ensure that parents or guardians who have previously surrendered a child safely are not unfairly denied licenses or certifications due to unrelated past issues. By refining these regulations, the bill aims to promote better support and care for children in need.

→
Previous
Latest
34-LS0085\I SENATE BILL NO.
LAWS OF ALASKA Source Chapter No.
9 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY SENATORS MYERS, Giessel, Hughes, Cronk, Gray-Jackson Introduced:
HCS CSSB 9(JUD) _______ AN ACT Relating to the surrender of infants;
1/22/25 Referred:
relating to civil history;
Health and Social Services, Judiciary A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to the surrender of infants;
and providing for an effective date.
and providing for an effective date." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
_______________ BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
* Section 1.
THE ACT FOLLOWS ON PAGE 1 Enrolled SB 9 AN ACT Relating to the surrender of infants;
relating to civil history;
and providing for an effective date.
_______________ * Section 1.
AS 47.05.325(a) is amended to read:
(a) The Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services shall establish by regulation civil history standards for denial of issuance or renewal of a license or certification for an individual or for an entity within that department's licensing or certification authority if the individual who is applying for a license, license renewal, certification, or certification renewal is (1) a biological or adoptive parent, guardian, custodian, or Indian custodian of a child who is or was the subject of a child-in-need-of-aid petition under AS 47.10 and the individual had custody ofthechild at thetimethechild was thesubject of a petition, unless the only basis in the petition for alleging that the child was a child in need of aid under AS 47.10.011 was that the child was surrendered in the manner described in AS 47.10.013(c);
or -1- Enrolled SB 9 (2) the subject of a finding or circumstance described in AS 47.05.330(a).
* Sec.
2.
AS 47.05.330(a) is amended to read:
(a) The Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services shall by regulation identify each database that department will review when conducting a civil history check under AS 47.05.325 to identify each individual (1) whom a court or the applicable department has found (A) to have committed abuse, neglect, undue influence, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult;
(B) under AS 47.32 or regulations adopted under AS 47.32, to have significantly adversely affected the health, safety, or welfare of an individual who is receiving a service from an entity licensed under AS 47.32;
a finding described in this subparagraph includes a decision to revoke, suspend, or deny a license or license renewal, or the relinquishment of a license as part of a settlement agreement;
(2) who has been subject to criminal or civil penalties for a violation of AS 09.58, AS 47.05, AS 47.06, AS 47.07, AS 47.08, or regulations adopted under AS 09.58, AS 47.05, AS 47.06, AS 47.07, or AS 47.08;
(3) about whom the applicable department or a court has made a substantiated finding of child abuse or neglect under AS 47.10 or AS 47.14;
(4) who was a biological or adoptive parent, guardian, custodian, or Indian custodian of a child at the time the child was the subject of a child-in-need-of- aid petition under AS 47.10, unless the only basis in the petition for alleging that the child was a child in need of aid under AS 47.10.011 was that the child was surrendered in the manner described in AS 47.10.013(c);
(5) who, inthe course of employment with thestate, has been terminated from employment or has had an allegation of assaultive, abusive, neglectful, or exploitive behavior or actions substantiated;
(6) who, in this state or another jurisdiction, for reasons related to abuse, neglect, undue influence, exploitation, or other reasons that are inconsistent with standards for the protection of public health, safety, or welfare, has had a professional Enrolled SB 9 -2- license, certification, or similar professional designation revoked, suspended, or denied, or has had a request for renewal of a professional license, certification, or similar professional designation denied;
(7) whom another state or jurisdiction has identified on a civil registry ordatabasesubstantially similartothedatabasesidentifiedunderthissection forreasons substantially similar to the reasons identified in (1) - (6) of this subsection.
* Sec.
3.
An infant's parent is considered to have abandoned the infant safely, and, notwithstanding AS 25.20.030 and AS 47.10.120, the parent's legal duty to support the infant is extinguished if (1) the parent, without expressing an intent to return for the infant, leaves the infant (A) in the physical custody of a person who (i) [IS A (A) PERSON] the parent reasonably believes would provide for the health and safety of the infant and who would act appropriately to care for the infant;
An infant's parent is considered to have abandoned the infant safely, and, notwithstanding AS 25.20.030 and AS 47.10.120, the parent's legal duty to support the infant is extinguished if (1) theparent,withoutexpressinganintenttoreturnfortheinfant,leaves the infant (A) in the physical custody of a person who (i) [IS A (A) PERSON] the parent reasonably believes would provide for the health and safety of the infant and who would act appropriately to care for the infant;
SB0009A -1- SB 9 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0085\I (ii) is a [(B)] peace officer, community health aide, physician, or hospital employee;
(ii) is a [(B)] peace officer, community health aide, physician, or hospital employee;
or (iii) [(C) PERSON WHO] is employed by or is a volunteer for a fire department or emergency medical service, if the person is acting within the scope of the person's fire department or emergency medical service duties;
or (iii) [(C)PERSON WHO] is employed by or is a volunteer for a fire department or emergency medical service, if the person is acting within the scope of the person's fire department or emergency medical service duties;
or (B) in an infant safety device that (i) is physically affixed to an exterior wall or located inside of a hospital, emergency department, freestanding birth center as defined in AS 47.32.900, office of a private physician whether in individual or group practice, rural health clinic as defined in AS 47.32.900, municipal police department, state trooper post, fire department, or other facility designated by the commissioner as an appropriate location for an infant safety device under regulations adopted by the commissioner;
or (B) in an infant safety device that (i) is physically affixed to an exterior wall or located inside of a hospital, emergency department, freestanding birth center as defined in AS 47.32.900, health facility as defined in AS 47.07.900 that is owned or managed by a tribal health organization as defined in AS 17.30.200(d), office of a private -3- Enrolled SB 9 physician, whether in individual or group practice, rural health clinic as defined in AS 47.32.900, municipal police department, state trooper post, or fire department;
2.
4.
(4) immediately notify the nearest office of the department that the SB 9 -2- SB0009A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0085\I infant has been surrendered in the manner described in (c)(1)(A)(ii) or (iii) [(c)] of this section.
(4) immediatelynotifythenearestofficeofthedepartmentthattheinfant has been surrendered inthemannerdescribed in(c)(1)(A)(ii) or(iii)[(c)] of this section.
3.
5.
(e) An individual, agency, designated facility, or entity that receives an infant abandoned safely under (c) of this section is not liable for civil damages for failure to discharge the duties listed in (d) of this section.
(e) An individual, agency, authorized facility, or entity that receives an infant abandoned safely under (c) of this section is not liable for civil damages for failure to discharge the duties listed in (d) of this section.
4.
6.
(g) A designated facility that receives an infant surrendered under (c)(1)(B) of this section shall immediately notify the nearest office of the department that the infant has been surrendered under (c)(1)(B) of this section.
(g) An authorized facility that receives an infant surrendered under (c)(1)(B) of this section shall immediately notify the nearest office of the department that the infant has been surrendered under (c)(1)(B) of this section.
(h) An infant safety device must be (1) located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to employees of a designated facility;
(h) An infant safety device must be (1) located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to employees of an authorized facility;
(3) clearly marked with appropriate signage, as determined by the department;
Enrolled SB 9 -4- (3) clearly marked with appropriate signage that includes (A) a statement that only a child less than 21 days old may be placed in the infant safety device;
and (4) equipped with (A) a system that automatically transmits a request to the 911 emergency system for the immediate dispatch of an emergency medical services provider to the location of the infant safety device when the infant safety device is opened;
(B) a statement that the parent may surrender the infant in person to an employee inside an authorized facility;
(B) a video surveillance system that allows employees of the designated facility to monitor the interior of the infant safety device 24 hours a day;
(C) a statement that the parent may call 911 to surrender the infant directly to an emergency services provider;
Show all 53 changed rows (13 more)
Previous
Latest
and (C) an automated lock that secures the infant inside the infant safety device after deposit.
(D) a statement that the parent may call 211 or another statewide service navigation provider to access resources related to family planning, human trafficking, and domestic violence;
(i) The department may provide training to emergency medical service providers, 911 operators, hospital staff, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and employees of a designated facility in how to implement and comply with the requirements for the surrender of an infant as described in this section.
and (E) a statement or quick response barcode that directs the person to information regarding surrendering an infant as provided for under this subsection on the department's Internet website;
(j) In this section, "designated facility" means a facility described in SB0009A -3- SB 9 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0085\I (c)(1)(B)(i) of this section that has an infant safety device located at the facility.
(4) equipped with (A) a system that automatically transmits a request to the 911 emergency system for the immediate dispatch of an emergency medical services provider to the location of the infant safety device when the infant safety device is opened;
(B) a video surveillance system that allows employees of an authorized facility to monitor the interior of the infant safety device 24 hours a day;
and (C) an automated lock that secures the infant inside the infant safety device after deposit;
(5) installed, operated, and maintained according to the manufacturer's guidelines and department regulations;
and (6) inspected upon installation and annually by the manufacturer or manufacture's designee and inspected monthly by the authorized facility in which it is installed;
inspections under this paragraph must be logged by the authorized facility and must include testing of the device's alarms, cameras, climate control system, and locks.
(i) The department may provide training to emergency medical service providers, 911 operators, hospital staff, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and -5- Enrolled SB 9 employees of an authorized facility in how to implement and comply with the requirements for the surrender of an infant as described in this section.
(j) If the department determines that an infant abandoned under (c)(1)(B) of this section is an Indian child, the department shall immediately contact the Indian child's tribe.
(k) In this section, "authorized facility" means a facility described in(c)(1)(B)(i) of this section that has an infant safety device located at the facility.
5.
7.
SB 9 -4- SB0009A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
Enrolled SB 9 -6-
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (5)

How this bill changes current law

12 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends existing laws related to the surrender of infants and civil history checks for licensing and certifications in Alaska.

  • AS 47.05.325(a)

    the individual who is applying for a license, license renewal, certification, or certification renewal is → the individual who is applying for a license, license renewal, certification, or certification renewal is

    Clarifies the conditions under which licenses may be denied based on a parent's history with a child-in-need-of-aid petition.

  • AS 47.05.330(a)

    the applicable department has found → the applicable department has found

    Specifies the databases to be reviewed for civil history checks regarding individuals with a history of abuse or neglect.

  • AS 47.10.013(c)

    [IS A (A) PERSON] → the parent reasonably believes

    Updates the text to clarify who may receive an infant surrendered under the law.

  • AS 47.10.013(c)

    [(B)]

    Removes the bracket around a designation for clarity in legal definitions.

  • AS 47.10.013(c)

    [(C)PERSON WHO]

    Clarifies references to individuals authorized to accept surrendered infants.

  • AS 47.10.013(d)

    [(c)(1)(B) OR (C)]

    Updates references for consistency within the text.

  • AS 47.10.013(e)

    that the infant has been surrendered → that the infant has been surrendered

    Affirms that individuals or entities receiving surrendered infants are not liable for certain failures.

  • AS 47.10.013

    An authorized facility that receives an infant surrendered under (c)(1)(B) of this section shall immediately notify the nearest office of the department that the infant has been surrendered under (c)(1)(B) of this section.

    Adds new requirements for authorized facilities regarding the notification of surrenders.

  • AS 47.10.013

    An infant safety device must be located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to employees of an authorized facility;

    Establishes requirements for the visibility and functionality of infant safety devices.

  • AS 47.10.013

    The department may provide training to emergency medical service providers, 911 operators, hospital staff, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and employees of an authorized facility in how to implement and comply with the requirements for the surrender of an infant as described in this section.

    Enables the department to provide training for personnel involved in the infant surrender process.

  • AS 47.10.013

    If the department determines that an infant abandoned under (c)(1)(B) of this section is an Indian child, the department shall immediately contact the Indian child's tribe.

    Legally requires the department to notify the child's tribe if the surrendered infant is identified as an Indian child.

  • AS 47.10.013

    "authorized facility" means a facility described in (c)(1)(B)(i) of this section that has an infant safety device located at the facility.

    Defines what constitutes an authorized facility in relation to the surrender of infants.

Action History

  1. (S) MANIFEST ERROR(S)

  2. (S) AWAITING TRANSMITTAL TO GOV

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

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

  5. (S) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND TAKEN UP

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

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

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

  9. (H) TITLE CHANGE: HCR 14

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

  11. (H) PASSED Y35 N5

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

  13. (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC

  14. (H) JUD HCS ADOPTED UC

  15. (H) READ THE SECOND TIME

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

  17. (H) FN7: ZERO(DFC)

  18. (H) FN6: ZERO(DPS)

  19. (H) FN5: ZERO(DOH)

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

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

  22. (H) TITLE CHANGE: HCR 14

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

  24. (H) Moved HCS CSSB 9(JUD) Out of Committee -- Delayed to 1:35 PM --

  25. (H) JUDICIARY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  26. (H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): TOMASZEWSKI

  27. (H) Heard & Held -- Delayed to 2:00 pm --

  28. (H) JUDICIARY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  29. (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>

  30. (H) JUDICIARY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  31. (H) JUD

  32. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  33. (S) VERSION: CSSB 9(JUD)

  34. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)

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

  36. (S) PASSED Y18 N2

  37. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB 9(JUD)

  38. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 3/31 CAL

  39. (S) FN7: ZERO(DFC)(UPDATED FOR 2026)

  40. (S) FN6: ZERO(DPS)(UPDATED FOR 2026)

  41. (S) FN5: ZERO(DOH)(UPDATED FOR 2026)

  42. (S) JUD CS ADOPTED UC

  43. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME

  44. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 3/30/2026

  45. (S) COSPONSOR(S): GRAY-JACKSON

  46. (S) FN4: ZERO(DFC)

  47. (S) FN3: ZERO(DPS)

  48. (S) FN2: ZERO(DOH)

  49. (S) DP: MYERS

  50. (S) NR: CLAMAN, TOBIN, KIEHL

  51. (S) JUD RPT CS 3NR 1DP SAME TITLE

  52. (S) Minutes (SJUD)

  53. (S) Moved CSSB 9(JUD) Out of Committee

  54. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  55. (S) Minutes (SJUD)

  56. (S) Heard & Held

  57. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  58. (S) Minutes (SJUD)

  59. (S) Heard & Held

  60. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  61. (S) FN3: ZERO(DPS)

  62. (S) FN2: ZERO(DOH)

  63. (S) FN1: ZERO(DFC)

  64. (S) DP: HUGHES

  65. (S) NR: DUNBAR, GIESSEL

  66. (S) HSS RPT CS 2NR 1DP SAME TITLE

  67. (S) Minutes (SHSS)

  68. (S) Moved CSSB 9(HSS) Out of Committee

  69. (S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  70. (S) Minutes (SHSS)

  71. (S) <Above Item Removed from Agenda>-- -- Agenda Change --

  72. (S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  73. (S) COSPONSOR(S): CRONK

  74. (S) Minutes (SHSS)

  75. (S) Heard & Held

  76. (S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  77. (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --

  78. (S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  79. (S) COSPONSOR(S): HUGHES

  80. (S) COSPONSOR(S): GIESSEL

  81. (S) HSS, JUD

  82. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  83. (S) Prefile released 1/10/25

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 8 co-sponsors · 56 not signed on · 7 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (8)

Not signed on (56)

56 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 56 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Shall the Senate Concur in the House Amendment(s) — to CSSB 9(JUD)? — Effective Date(s)

Passed 20 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
R 11000
D 9000
Total 20000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (20)
Member Party Vote
Bill Wielechowski D Yea
Donald Olson D Yea
Elvi Gray-Jackson D Yea
Forrest Dunbar D Yea
Jesse Kiehl D Yea
Lyman Hoffman D Yea
Löki Tobin D Yea
Matt Claman D Yea
Scott Kawasaki D Yea
Bert Stedman R Yea
Cathy Giessel R Yea
Cathy Tilton R Yea
Gary Stevens R Yea
George Rauscher R Yea
James Kaufman R Yea
Jesse Bjorkman R Yea
Kelly Merrick R Yea
Mike Cronk R Yea
Robert Myers R Yea
Robert Yundt R Yea

Official roll call →

Third Reading — Final Passage

Passed 35 Yea · 5 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
R 20000
D 10400
N 4100
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 35500
% of votes cast 88%13%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Steve St. Clair — Yea
Andi Story D Yea
Andrew Gray D Yea
Andy Josephson D Yea
Ashley Carrick D Yea
Carolyn Hall D Nay
Donna Mears D Nay
Genevieve Mina D Nay
Maxine Dibert D Yea
Neal Foster D Yea
Nellie Unangiq Jimmie D Yea
Robyn Niayuq Frier D Yea
Sara Hannan D Yea
Ted Eischeid D Yea
Zack Fields D Nay
Alyse Galvin N Yea
Bryce Edgmon N Yea
Calvin Schrage N Nay
Ky Holland N Yea
Rebecca Himschoot N Yea
Bill Elam R Yea
Chuck Kopp R Yea
Dan Saddler R Yea
David Nelson R Yea
David Nelson R Yea
DeLena Johnson R Yea
Elexie Moore R Yea
Frank Tomaszewski R Yea
Jamie Allard R Yea
Jeremy Bynum R Yea
Jubilee Underwood R Yea
Julie Coulombe R Yea
Justin Ruffridge R Yea
Kevin McCabe R Yea
Louise Stutes R Yea
Mia Costello R Yea
Mike Prax R Yea
Rebecca Schwanke R Yea
Sarah Vance R Yea
Will Stapp R Yea

Official roll call →

Third Reading - Final Passage — Effective Date(s)

Passed 18 Yea · 2 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
R 10100
D 8100
Total 18200
% of votes cast 90%10%0%0%
How each member voted (20)
Member Party Vote
Bill Wielechowski D Yea
Donald Olson D Yea
Elvi Gray-Jackson D Yea
Forrest Dunbar D Yea
Jesse Kiehl D Yea
Lyman Hoffman D Yea
Löki Tobin D Nay
Matt Claman D Yea
Scott Kawasaki D Yea
Bert Stedman R Nay
Cathy Giessel R Yea
Cathy Tilton R Yea
Gary Stevens R Yea
George Rauscher R Yea
James Kaufman R Yea
Jesse Bjorkman R Yea
Kelly Merrick R Yea
Mike Cronk R Yea
Robert Myers R Yea
Robert Yundt R Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights healthcare health-insurance
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB9?
SB9 is sponsored by Jubilee Underwood (R), D.Nelson, Andy Josephson (D), Frank Tomaszewski (R), Elvi Gray-Jackson (D), Mike Cronk (R), Cathy Giessel (R), Robert Myers (R), and Shelley Hughes (R).
What is the current status of SB9?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced January 22, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB9?
Track SB9 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB9

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB9

Last checked for changes about 1 month ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →