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Committee advances bill on infant safe‑surrender boxes to judiciary committee
Summary
House Bill 64, addressing infant safe surrender boxes, was returned to committee, discussed briefly and advanced to the next referral after sponsor remarks; Representative Tomaszewski and committee members flagged related policy work on anonymous birth for later consideration.
The House Health and Social Services Committee advanced House Bill 64, on infant safe surrender boxes, to its next committee of referral after a brief discussion Thursday.
Sponsor Representative Greg Tomaszewski (District 34, Fairbanks area) offered a short recap and thanked members for their work. Representative Gray asked about expanding the bill to permit anonymous birth; he said he will consult a Yale professor who has written on anonymous birth and may pursue related language in the judiciary committee. The chair and members discussed maternal‑health supports and noted that the bill is narrowly focused on ensuring a safe method for surrendering infants rather than addressing anonymous birth or broader maternal services.
Committee staff confirmed the next referral for HB 64 is the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Representative Gray. After no additional questions, the committee moved the bill from committee with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note. Later in the meeting the committee rescinded an earlier procedural action and restated the motion; HB 64 again passed from committee and the committee adjourned.
No invited testimony was recorded during this session. The sponsor indicated willingness to work with members on possible expansion or companion proposals on anonymous birth in the judiciary committee.
