Alaska Senate Passes Bill to Allow Safe Haven Baby Boxes

The bill would legalize the temperature-controlled incubators to prevent infant abandonment.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:36am

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A serene, cinematic painting of a lone, temperature-controlled baby box set against the muted tones of an Alaskan city street at dusk, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing a safe haven for vulnerable newborns.A safe haven for vulnerable newborns, the climate-controlled baby box offers a discreet alternative to infant abandonment in Alaska.Fairbanks Today

The Alaska Senate has passed a bill that would allow the use of Safe Haven Baby Boxes in the state. These devices are designed to prevent infant abandonment by providing a safe, legal, and anonymous way for parents to surrender their newborns. The bill now heads to the Alaska House for consideration.

Why it matters

Alaska has had a Safe Haven law since 2008 that allows for the in-person surrender of newborns, but three infants have still been found abandoned in the state since 2013, with two found dead. Safe Haven Baby Boxes are intended to remove the barrier of shame or fear of recognition that some parents may feel when surrendering a child in person, potentially saving more lives.

The details

The Alaska Senate advanced the bill, which would legalize Safe Haven Baby Boxes, on an 18-2 vote. The boxes are temperature-controlled incubators often built into exterior walls of fire stations, police stations, and hospitals, allowing at-risk mothers to safely and legally place their newborns inside. An alarm then alerts first responders or hospital staff, and the baby is quickly removed and sent to a hospital for a wellness check before being placed into state custody and often quickly adopted.

  • Alaska has had its Safe Haven law since 2008, which allows for the in-person surrender of newborns up to 21 days old.
  • Since 2013, three infants have been found abandoned in Alaska, with two found dead and one newborn discovered alive in Fairbanks in a box in winter.

The players

Robb Myers

Republican Sen. and lead sponsor of the bill.

Bert Stedman

Sitka Republican senator who voted against the bill.

Löki Tobin

Anchorage Democrat senator who voted against the bill.

Anchorage Fire Department

Supports the bill.

Alaska Children's Trust

Supports the bill.

City of Fairbanks

Supports the bill.

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What they’re saying

“Parents can feel shame or the fear of potential recognition when giving a child to another person, he said. The climate-controlled boxes are intended to remove that barrier.”

— Robb Myers, Republican Sen. and lead sponsor of the bill

What’s next

The bill will now advance to the Alaska House for consideration.

The takeaway

This bill aims to provide a safe, anonymous, and legal option for parents to surrender their newborns, potentially saving lives and addressing the issue of infant abandonment in Alaska. It highlights the ongoing efforts to improve child welfare and public safety through innovative policy solutions.