Alabama 2023 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Bill SB50 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	SB50INTRODUCED
2	2	Page 0
3	3	MS931H-1
4	4	By Senators Orr, Singleton
5	5	RFD: Judiciary
6	6	First Read: 07-Mar-23
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11	11	5 MS931H-1 03/02/2023 GP (L) ma 2023-139
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13	13	SYNOPSIS:
14	14	Under existing law, the Alabama Adoption Code
15	15	provides for adoption procedures.
16	16	This bill would repeal the Alabama Adoption Code
17	17	and replace it with the Alabama Minor Adoption Code and
18	18	the Alabama Adult Adoption Code.
19	19	This bill would provide jurisdictional
20	20	requirements for adoptions and contests to adoptions
21	21	and allow certain courts handling adoption-related
22	22	proceedings to communicate with one another.
23	23	This bill would require certain individuals to
24	24	consent to an adoption, provide limitations as to when
25	25	consent may be withdrawn, and provide for the contest
26	26	of an adoption in certain situations.
27	27	This bill would expand on the confidentiality
28	28	procedures related to adoptions and adoption records.
29	29	This bill would provide further for
30	30	pre-placement and post-placement investigations of
31	31	individuals petitioning to adopt a minor and would
32	32	require reference letters, certain background checks,
33	33	and other additional records before the adoption of a
34	34	minor may be finalized.
35	35	This bill would clarify procedures for a
36	36	relative or stepparent to adopt a minor.
37	37	This bill would provide for the adoption of an
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67	67	adult, including who may adopt an adult, the procedures
68	68	to adopt an adult, and whose consent is required to
69	69	adopt an adult.
70	70	This bill would provide that an investigation is
71	71	not required for the adoption of an adult, unless the
72	72	court so orders.
73	73	Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of
74	74	2022, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect
75	75	would be to require a new or increased expenditure of
76	76	local funds from becoming effective with regard to a
77	77	local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3
78	78	vote unless: it comes within one of a number of
79	79	specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected
80	80	entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or
81	81	provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for
82	82	the purpose.
83	83	The purpose or effect of this bill would be to
84	84	require a new or increased expenditure of local funds
85	85	within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill
86	86	does not require approval of a local governmental
87	87	entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective
88	88	because it comes within one of the specified exceptions
89	89	contained in the amendment.
90	90	A BILL
91	91	TO BE ENTITLED
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121	121	AN ACT
122	122	Relating to adoption; to add Chapter 10E and Chapter
123	123	10F to Title 26 of the Code of Alabama 1975, and Section
124	124	12-15-115.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975; to amend Section
125	125	12-15-133 of the Code of Alabama 1975; to repeal Section
126	126	12-12-35 of the Code of Alabama 1975, and Chapter 10A of Title
127	127	26 of the Code of Alabama 1975; to create the Alabama Minor
128	128	Adoption Code and the Alabama Adult Adoption Code; to provide
129	129	for jurisdictional and procedural requirements relating to
130	130	adoptions; to provide for the communication of certain courts
131	131	handling adoption-related proceedings; to provide that certain
132	132	individuals must consent to an adoption; to provide for the
133	133	confidentiality of certain adoption records; to provide for
134	134	investigative requirements for the adoption of a minor; to
135	135	provide procedures to adopt an adult; and in connection
136	136	therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement
137	137	of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the
138	138	meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of
139	139	2022.
140	140	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
141	141	Section 1. Chapter 10E is added to Title 26 of the Code
142	142	of Alabama 1975, to read as follows:
143	143	§26-10E-1
144	144	This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the
145	145	Alabama Minor Adoption Code.
146	146	§26-10E-2
147	147	For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms
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177	177	have the following meanings:
178	178	(1) ABANDONMENT. Any of the following:
179	179	a. The voluntary and intentional failure or refusal,
180	180	without good cause or excuse, to claim the rights of a parent.
181	181	b. The voluntary and intentional failure or refusal,
182	182	without good cause or excuse, to perform the duties of a
183	183	parent.
184	184	c. The voluntary and intentional relinquishment,
185	185	without good cause or excuse, of the custody of a minor by a
186	186	parent.
187	187	d. The voluntary and intentional withholding from the
188	188	minor by the parent, without good cause or excuse, of his or
189	189	her presence, care, love, protection, support, maintenance, or
190	190	display of filial affection.
191	191	(2) ADOPTEE. The individual being adopted.
192	192	(3) ADOPTION. The judicial act of creating the legal
193	193	relationship of parent and minor which previously did not
194	194	legally exist.
195	195	(4) ADULT. An individual who is 19 years of age or
196	196	older, who has reached the majority age in the state in which
197	197	he or she resides, or who is otherwise deemed an adult by
198	198	statute or by court order.
199	199	(5) CONSENT. Voluntarily agreeing to adoption.
200	200	(6) COURT REPRESENTATIVE. An individual appointed in an
201	201	adoption proceeding trained in law, health care, counseling,
202	202	social work, or other specialty, who is an officer, employee,
203	203	or special appointee of the court, and has no personal
204	204	interest in the proceeding.
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234	234	(7) GRANDPARENT. The parent of a parent, whether the
235	235	relationship is created biologically or by adoption.
236	236	(8) LEGAL FATHER. A male individual whose legal status
237	237	as the father of the adoptee has been established through
238	238	adoption, legitimation, adjudication, acknowledgment,
239	239	presumption, or operation of law under the laws of this or any
240	240	other state, and whose parental rights have not been
241	241	terminated.
242	242	(9) LEGAL MOTHER. A female individual whose legal
243	243	status as the mother of the adoptee has been established
244	244	through adoption, legitimation, adjudication, acknowledgment,
245	245	presumption, or operation of law under the laws of this or any
246	246	other state, and whose parental rights have not been
247	247	terminated.
248	248	(10) LICENSED CHILD PLACING AGENCY. Any adoption agency
249	249	that is licensed under the provisions of the Alabama Child
250	250	Care Act of 1971, Chapter 7 of Title 38, Code of Alabama 1975,
251	251	or any adoption agency approved by the State Department of
252	252	Human Resources.
253	253	(11) MARRIED COUPLE. Two individuals who are currently
254	254	lawfully married in accordance with the laws of this state or
255	255	any other jurisdiction.
256	256	(12) MINOR. An individual 18 years of age or younger or
257	257	an individual who is not an adult under the law in the
258	258	jurisdiction where he or she resides.
259	259	(13) MINOR PARENT. An individual 18 years of age or
260	260	younger or an individual who is not an adult under the law in
261	261	the jurisdiction where he or she resides who is the biological
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291	291	or legal parent of the adoptee.
292	292	(14) PARENT. The biological or legal mother or father
293	293	of the adopted minor.
294	294	(15) PARTY. Any individual who appears before the court
295	295	for the purposes of petitioning for adoption, consenting to an
296	296	adoption, withdrawing a consent to adoption, contesting an
297	297	adoption, securing grandparent visitation rights to an
298	298	adoptee, or setting aside all or part of a final judgment of
299	299	adoption, or any other person deemed to be a party by the
300	300	court. This term does not include the adoptee.
301	301	(16) PUTATIVE FATHER. The alleged or reputed biological
302	302	father of the adoptee, unless the issue of paternity has been
303	303	resolved adversely to that individual by final judgment of a
304	304	court of competent jurisdiction.
305	305	(17) RELINQUISHMENT. Giving up the legal and physical
306	306	custody of a minor to a licensed child placing agency or the
307	307	Department of Human Resources for the sole purpose of
308	308	placement for adoption.
309	309	(18) SPOUSE. The individual who is lawfully married to
310	310	the petitioner or the legal father or the legal mother at the
311	311	time of the adoption proceedings.
312	312	(19) STEPPARENT. An individual who is the spouse or
313	313	surviving spouse of a legal mother or legal father of a minor,
314	314	but who is not a legal parent of the minor and who is not a
315	315	former spouse by reason of divorce or annulment of the
316	316	marriage.
317	317	§26-10E-3
318	318	(a) The probate court shall have original jurisdiction
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348	348	over cases brought pursuant to this chapter. No other court of
349	349	this state shall have jurisdiction over a case brought under
350	350	this chapter unless the case, or part of the case, has been
351	351	transferred from the probate court to the other court in
352	352	accordance with this section.
353	353	(b) If any parent whose consent is required fails to
354	354	consent or is unable to consent to the adoption of a minor,
355	355	upon a motion of a party, the case shall be transferred from
356	356	the probate court to the appropriate juvenile court for the
357	357	limited purpose of considering the termination of the parental
358	358	rights of the non-consenting parent. Upon entry of a final
359	359	judgment adjudicating the claim for termination of parental
360	360	rights, the juvenile court shall return the case to the
361	361	probate court for further dispositional proceedings. The
362	362	dispositional proceedings shall be stayed pending any appeal
363	363	of the final judgment of the juvenile court.
364	364	(c) If, at any time during the pendency of a case under
365	365	this chapter concerning the adoption of a minor, an action is
366	366	pending in a circuit court or a juvenile court of this state
367	367	concerning the custody or parentage of the minor, any party to
368	368	the case, or the probate court on its own motion, may move to
369	369	stay the case or to transfer the case to the circuit court or
370	370	the juvenile court in which the other action is pending. Upon
371	371	transfer, the transferee court shall have jurisdiction to
372	372	decide all matters relating to the adoption and to enter a
373	373	final judgment resolving the adoption case. After entry of the
374	374	final judgment by the transferee court, the probate court
375	375	shall have limited jurisdiction over the case to assure
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405	405	compliance with Sections 26-10E-30 and 26-10E-31.
406	406	(d) On motion of either party or of the probate court,
407	407	a contest of an adoption under Section 26-10E-23 that is
408	408	pending in a probate court shall be transferred to the
409	409	juvenile court for the limited purpose of adjudicating the
410	410	contest. After entry of a final judgment adjudicating the
411	411	contest, the juvenile court shall return the case to the
412	412	probate court for further dispositional proceedings, which
413	413	dispositional proceedings shall be stayed pending any appeal
414	414	of the final judgment.
415	415	(e) The provisions of this chapter shall remain
416	416	applicable to any case transferred to a juvenile court or a
417	417	circuit court pursuant to this section.
418	418	(f) Once an adoption proceeding in the juvenile court
419	419	has been completed, a copy of all the juvenile court records,
420	420	including filings and documents originally sent by the probate
421	421	court upon transfer to the juvenile court shall be forwarded
422	422	to the original probate court. All other filings and documents
423	423	that are retained by the juvenile court pertaining to the
424	424	adoption proceeding shall be sealed, kept as a permanent
425	425	record of the court, and withheld from inspection except as
426	426	otherwise ordered by the court for good cause shown.
427	427	(g) Notwithstanding any law regarding the
428	428	confidentiality of records and court proceedings involving a
429	429	minor or adoptee, a court may communicate with another court
430	430	another state, or another country in the same manner as
431	431	provided in Section 30-3B-110, and a court may share records
432	432	with another court of this state, another state, or another
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462	462	country for the limited purposes of determining any
463	463	jurisdictional issues regarding a case involving the adoption
464	464	of an adoptee pursuant to this chapter.
465	465	§26-10E-3.1
466	466	Jurisdiction over a child custody case involving an
467	467	adoptee is governed by the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction
468	468	and Enforcement Act, commencing with Section 30-3B-101.
469	469	§26-10E-4
470	470	(a) A petition for adoption may be filed in the probate
471	471	court in any of the following counties:
472	472	(1) The county in which the adoptee is born, resides,
473	473	or has a legal domicile.
474	474	(2) The county in which a petitioner resides or is in
475	475	military service.
476	476	(3) The county in which an office of any agency or
477	477	institution operating under the laws of this state having
478	478	guardianship or custody of an adoptee is located.
479	479	(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a petition for
480	480	adoption may be filed in the probate court in another county
481	481	if any of the following apply:
482	482	(1) The petitioner shows good cause on the record as to
483	483	why the probate court selected should exercise venue over the
484	484	adoption case.
485	485	(2) No party objects to the probate court selected
486	486	within 30 days of service of the petition.
487	487	(3) The probate court selected determines in writing
488	488	that it is in the best interests of the adoptee for the
489	489	probate court to exercise venue over the adoption case.
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519	519	§26-10E-5
520	520	(a) An unmarried individual or a married couple may
521	521	petition to adopt a minor.
522	522	(b) An unmarried couple may not adopt a minor.
523	523	(c) A group of more than two persons may not adopt a
524	524	minor.
525	525	(d) If a petitioner is married, the petition for
526	526	adoption shall be filed jointly by both spouses; provided,
527	527	however, that when the minor is a stepchild of the party
528	528	seeking to adopt, the petition shall be filed in the name of
529	529	the stepparent alone.
530	530	(e) Each petitioner seeking to adopt a minor must be
531	531	all of the following:
532	532	(1) An adult.
533	533	(2) At least 10 years older than the adoptee, unless
534	534	either of the following are true:
535	535	a. The petitioner is a stepparent or relative and files
536	536	for adoption pursuant to Sections 26-10E-27 or 26-10E-28.
537	537	b. The probate court finds, based on evidence in the
538	538	record, that the adoption is in the best interests of the
539	539	adoptee.
540	540	(3) A bona fide resident of this state at the filing of
541	541	the petition for adoption or a bona fide resident of the
542	542	receiving state when the adoptee was born in this state and
543	543	was placed in compliance with Sections 38-7-15 and 44-2-20
544	544	relating to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of
545	545	Children.
546	546	(f) No rule or regulation of any state department shall
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576	576	prevent an adoption by a petitioner solely because the
577	577	petitioner is employed outside the home. The Department of
578	578	Human Resources may require the petitioner to remain in the
579	579	home with an adoptee for a reasonable period of time, not to
580	580	exceed 60 calendar days, when the department determines that
581	581	the adoptee requires the presence of the petitioner to ensure
582	582	his or her adjustment.
583	583	(g) No rule or regulation of any state department shall
584	584	prevent an adoption by an unmarried petitioner solely because
585	585	the petitioner is unmarried. No rule or regulation of any
586	586	state department shall prevent an adoption solely because the
587	587	petitioner is of a certain age, except as provided in
588	588	subsection (e).
589	589	§26-10E-6
590	590	Any minor who is available for adoption may be adopted
591	591	under this chapter.
592	592	§26-10E-7
593	593	(a) Consent to the petitioner's adoption or
594	594	relinquishment for adoption to the Department of Human
595	595	Resources or a licensed child placing agency shall be required
596	596	by all of the following:
597	597	(1) The adoptee, if 14 years of age or older, except
598	598	when the court finds that the adoptee does not have the mental
599	599	capacity to give consent.
600	600	(2) The adoptee's legal mother or mothers.
601	601	(3) The adoptee's legal father or fathers.
602	602	(4) If the adoptee has no legal father, the putative
603	603	father if made known by the mother or is otherwise made known
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633	633	to the court, provided he complies with Section 26-10C-1 and
634	634	responds within 30 days to the notice received under Section
635	635	26-10E-17(a).
636	636	(5) Any legal custodian or legal guardian of the
637	637	adoptee if both parents are dead or presumed dead, if the
638	638	rights of the parents have been terminated by judicial
639	639	proceedings, or if the consent of both parents is otherwise
640	640	not required pursuant to Section 26-10E-10, and if any legal
641	641	custodian or legal guardian has authority by order of the
642	642	court to consent to the adoption except that the court may
643	643	grant the adoption without the consent of that legal custodian
644	644	or legal guardian if the court determines that such consent
645	645	was unreasonably withheld.
646	646	(6) The Department of Human Resources, if the minor has
647	647	been relinquished to it for the purposes of adoption or it
648	648	otherwise holds temporary or permanent custody of the minor,
649	649	except that the court may grant the adoption without the
650	650	consent of the department if the adoption is in the best
651	651	interests of the adoptee and there is a finding by the court
652	652	the department has unreasonably withheld its consent.
653	653	(7) The licensed child placing agency to which the
654	654	child has been relinquished for adoption, except that the
655	655	court may grant the adoption without the consent of the agency
656	656	if the adoption is in the best interests of the adoptee and
657	657	there is a finding by the court the agency has unreasonably
658	658	withheld its consent.
659	659	(b) The Director of the Department of Human Resources
660	660	or the designee of the director and the executive head of a
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681	681	329
682	682	330
683	683	331
684	684	332
685	685	333
686	686	334
687	687	335
688	688	336 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
689	689	Page 13
690	690	licensed child placing agency may appoint an employee of the
691	691	department or agency to give or to deny consent for adoption
692	692	of adoptee.
693	693	(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a court
694	694	having jurisdiction over a case under this chapter shall have
695	695	the power to determine the biological or legal parentage of a
696	696	minor to ascertain whose consent shall be required or to
697	697	adjudicate any other claim or issue in the case.
698	698	§26-10E-8
699	699	(a) Prior to a minor parent's giving express consent to
700	700	an adoption or executing a relinquishment for adoption, a
701	701	guardian ad litem must be appointed to represent the interests
702	702	of the minor parent whose consent is required. Any minor
703	703	parent, 14 years of age and older, may nominate a guardian ad
704	704	litem either prior to the birth of the adoptee or thereafter.
705	705	(b) A minor parent may give his or her implied consent
706	706	to an adoption in the same manner as an adult parent under
707	707	Section 26-10E-9. If a court finds by clear and convincing
708	708	evidence that a minor parent has given implied consent to the
709	709	adoption, notice and the appointment of a guardian ad litem
710	710	shall not be necessary. The implied consent of a minor parent
711	711	may not be withdrawn.
712	712	(c) The express or implied consent of, or
713	713	relinquishment by, a minor parent shall not be subject to
714	714	revocation by reason of such minority.
715	715	§26-10E-9
716	716	(a) A rebuttable presumption that a parent has
717	717	impliedly consented to the adoption or the relinquishment for
718	718	337
719	719	338
720	720	339
721	721	340
722	722	341
723	723	342
724	724	343
725	725	344
726	726	345
727	727	346
728	728	347
729	729	348
730	730	349
731	731	350
732	732	351
733	733	352
734	734	353
735	735	354
736	736	355
737	737	356
738	738	357
739	739	358
740	740	359
741	741	360
742	742	361
743	743	362
744	744	363
745	745	364 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
746	746	Page 14
747	747	adoption of an adoptee arises when clear and convincing
748	748	evidence shows any of the following:
749	749	(1) Abandonment of the adoptee by the parent during the
750	750	four months immediately preceding the date of the filing of
751	751	the petition for adoption.
752	752	(2) Abandonment by the legal father or putative father
753	753	of the biological mother by failing to offer to the biological
754	754	mother financial or emotional support, or both, during the
755	755	four months immediately preceding the birth of the adoptee
756	756	despite knowing or having reason to know of the pregnancy.
757	757	(3) The parent, without good cause of excuse, left the
758	758	adoptee without provision for his or her identification for a
759	759	period of 30 days.
760	760	(4) The parent voluntarily and knowingly, without good
761	761	cause or excuse, left the adoptee with another person without
762	762	personally providing support for, initiating communication
763	763	with, or otherwise maintaining a substantial relationship with
764	764	the adoptee for the four consecutive months immediately
765	765	preceding the date of the filing of the petition.
766	766	(b) A rebuttable presumption that any individual or
767	767	agency whose consent is required has impliedly consented to
768	768	the adoption, or the relinquishment for adoption, of an
769	769	adoptee arises when clear and convincing evidence shows that
770	770	the individual or agency has received notification of the
771	771	pendency of the adoption proceedings pursuant to Section
772	772	26-10E-17 and has failed to answer or otherwise respond to the
773	773	petition within 30 days.
774	774	(c) Implied consent under subsections (a) or (b) may
775	775	365
776	776	366
777	777	367
778	778	368
779	779	369
780	780	370
781	781	371
782	782	372
783	783	373
784	784	374
785	785	375
786	786	376
787	787	377
788	788	378
789	789	379
790	790	380
791	791	381
792	792	382
793	793	383
794	794	384
795	795	385
796	796	386
797	797	387
798	798	388
799	799	389
800	800	390
801	801	391
802	802	392 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
803	803	Page 15
804	804	not be withdrawn by any person.
805	805	(d) A putative father who fails to file a notice of
806	806	intent to claim paternity of an adoptee pursuant to Section
807	807	26-10C-1 prior to or within 30 days of the birth of the
808	808	adoptee shall be deemed to have given irrevocable implied
809	809	consent to, or relinquishment for, the adoption of the
810	810	adoptee.
811	811	(e) At any time before the birth of the adoptee, a
812	812	licensed child placing agency, an attorney representing the
813	813	legal mother, or an attorney representing the prospective
814	814	adoptive parents may serve a putative father with notice
815	815	consistent with Section 26-10E-17 that the legal mother is
816	816	considering an adoptive placement of the unborn child in a
817	817	form to be developed by the Administrative Office of Courts
818	818	and the Alabama Law Institute. The notice shall not obligate
819	819	the legal mother to place the child for adoption. A putative
820	820	father intending to contest the adoption shall have 30 days
821	821	from the date of service of the notice to file an action to
822	822	establish his paternity of the unborn child under Section
823	823	26-17-611 and to register with the putative father registry
824	824	pursuant to Section 26-10C-1. If the notified putative father
825	825	fails to file this action and register with the putative
826	826	father registry, his failure shall be deemed an irrevocable
827	827	implied consent to the adoption of the child.
828	828	§26-10E-10
829	829	Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 26-10E-7, the
830	830	consent of the following persons shall not be required for an
831	831	adoption or relinquishment for adoption:
832	832	393
833	833	394
834	834	395
835	835	396
836	836	397
837	837	398
838	838	399
839	839	400
840	840	401
841	841	402
842	842	403
843	843	404
844	844	405
845	845	406
846	846	407
847	847	408
848	848	409
849	849	410
850	850	411
851	851	412
852	852	413
853	853	414
854	854	415
855	855	416
856	856	417
857	857	418
858	858	419
859	859	420 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
860	860	Page 16
861	861	(1) A parent of the adoptee whose rights with reference
862	862	to the adoptee have been terminated by a final judgment of a
863	863	court of this or any other state.
864	864	(2) A parent of the adoptee who has been adjudged
865	865	incompetent or incapacitated pursuant to law or a parent whom
866	866	the court finds to be mentally incapable of consenting or
867	867	relinquishing and whose mental disability is likely to
868	868	continue for so long a period that it would be detrimental to
869	869	the adoptee to delay adoption until restoration of the
870	870	parent's competency or capacity. The court must appoint
871	871	independent counsel or a guardian ad litem for an incompetent
872	872	or incapacitated parent for whom there has been no such prior
873	873	appointment.
874	874	(3) A parent of an adoptee who has voluntarily
875	875	relinquished the adoptee to the Department of Human Resources,
876	876	a similar agency of another state, or a licensed child placing
877	877	agency for an adoption, unless this relinquishment has been
878	878	withdrawn in accordance with this chapter or the law of the
879	879	state in which the relinquishment was made.
880	880	(4) A deceased parent of the adoptee or a parent of the
881	881	adoptee who is presumed to be deceased under this or any other
882	882	state's law.
883	883	(5) A putative father of the adoptee who has signed a
884	884	written statement denying paternity.
885	885	(6) A putative father of the adoptee when the mother
886	886	swears in an affidavit pursuant to Section 26-10E-16(c) that
887	887	the putative father is unknown, unless the putative father is
888	888	otherwise made known to the court.
889	889	421
890	890	422
891	891	423
892	892	424
893	893	425
894	894	426
895	895	427
896	896	428
897	897	429
898	898	430
899	899	431
900	900	432
901	901	433
902	902	434
903	903	435
904	904	436
905	905	437
906	906	438
907	907	439
908	908	440
909	909	441
910	910	442
911	911	443
912	912	444
913	913	445
914	914	446
915	915	447
916	916	448 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
917	917	Page 17
918	918	(7) A putative father of the adoptee who fails to prove
919	919	his paternity of the adoptee.
920	920	(8) A legal father or putative father when clear and
921	921	convincing evidence is presented to the court that the adoptee
922	922	was conceived by rape, incest, or sexual assault committed by
923	923	the legal father or putative father, whose crimes are defined
924	924	by the laws of this state or, if the crime occurred not in
925	925	this state, the jurisdiction in which the crime occurred.
926	926	(9) A parent of the adoptee who has been convicted of
927	927	child abuse or other felonious acts against the adoptee as
928	928	defined by the laws of this state or, if the crime occurred
929	929	not in this state, the jurisdiction in which the crime
930	930	occurred.
931	931	§26-10E-11
932	932	An express consent or relinquishment shall be in
933	933	writing, signed by the individual consenting or relinquishing,
934	934	and shall state all of the following:
935	935	(1) The date, place, and time of execution.
936	936	(2) The date of birth or, if prior to birth, the
937	937	expected date of birth of the adoptee and any names by which
938	938	the adoptee has been known.
939	939	(3) The relationship and date of birth of the person
940	940	consenting or relinquishing to the adoptee.
941	941	(4) If the right to know the identity of each
942	942	petitioner has not been waived, the legal name of each
943	943	petitioner, unless the document is a relinquishment of the
944	944	adoptee to an agency.
945	945	(5) That the individual executing the document is
946	946	449
947	947	450
948	948	451
949	949	452
950	950	453
951	951	454
952	952	455
953	953	456
954	954	457
955	955	458
956	956	459
957	957	460
958	958	461
959	959	462
960	960	463
961	961	464
962	962	465
963	963	466
964	964	467
965	965	468
966	966	469
967	967	470
968	968	471
969	969	472
970	970	473
971	971	474
972	972	475
973	973	476 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
974	974	Page 18
975	975	voluntarily and unequivocally consenting to the adoption of
976	976	the adoptee. If the individual executing the document consents
977	977	to the adoption of the adoptee by only a designated individual
978	978	or married couple, the express consent shall specify that the
979	979	consent applies only to that individual or married couple, as
980	980	identified by his, her, or their legal names and that the
981	981	express consent shall not be construed to apply to any other
982	982	individual seeking to adopt the adoptee.
983	983	(6) That by signing the document, the individual
984	984	executing the document understands that, except as otherwise
985	985	provided in this chapter, upon the entry of the final judgment
986	986	of adoption, he or she forfeits all rights and obligations to
987	987	the adoptee and that he or she understands the express consent
988	988	or relinquishment and executes it freely and voluntarily.
989	989	(7) That the individual signing the document has been
990	990	advised and understands that his or her express consent or
991	991	relinquishment may be withdrawn only in the manner, and within
992	992	the time periods, as provided in Sections 26-10E-13 and
993	993	26-10E-14, and that the adoption may not be collaterally
994	994	attacked after the entry of the final judgment of adoption,
995	995	except as authorized in this chapter.
996	996	(8) That the individual signing the document
997	997	understands that the express consent may become irrevocable,
998	998	and that the individual should not execute it if he or she
999	999	needs or desires psychological or legal advice, guidance, or
1000	1000	counseling.
1001	1001	(9) The address of the court in which the petition for
1002	1002	adoption has been or will be filed, if known, and if not
1003	1003	477
1004	1004	478
1005	1005	479
1006	1006	480
1007	1007	481
1008	1008	482
1009	1009	483
1010	1010	484
1011	1011	485
1012	1012	486
1013	1013	487
1014	1014	488
1015	1015	489
1016	1016	490
1017	1017	491
1018	1018	492
1019	1019	493
1020	1020	494
1021	1021	495
1022	1022	496
1023	1023	497
1024	1024	498
1025	1025	499
1026	1026	500
1027	1027	501
1028	1028	502
1029	1029	503
1030	1030	504 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1031	1031	Page 19
1032	1032	known, the name and address of the agency, any petitioner, or
1033	1033	the attorney of any petitioner on whom notice of the
1034	1034	withdrawal or relinquishment of express consent may be served.
1035	1035	(10) In the case of relinquishment, the name and
1036	1036	address of the agency to which the adoptee has been
1037	1037	relinquished.
1038	1038	(11) That the individual executing the document has
1039	1039	received or has been offered a copy of the express consent or
1040	1040	relinquishment and withdrawal form.
1041	1041	(12) That the individual executing a relinquishment
1042	1042	waives further notice of the adoption proceeding.
1043	1043	(13) That the individual executing an express consent
1044	1044	waives further notice of the adoption proceedings unless there
1045	1045	is a contest or appeal of the adoption proceeding.
1046	1046	§26-10E-12
1047	1047	(a) An express consent of the biological mother taken
1048	1048	prior to the birth of an adoptee shall be signed or confirmed
1049	1049	before a judge of probate. At the time of taking the express
1050	1050	consent, the judge shall explain to the consenting parent the
1051	1051	legal effect of signing the document and the time limits and
1052	1052	procedures for withdrawal of the express consent and shall
1053	1053	provide the consenting parent with two copies of the form for
1054	1054	withdrawing the express consent in accordance with the
1055	1055	requirements of Sections 26-10E-13 and 26-10E-14.
1056	1056	(b) Except as provided in subsection (a), all other
1057	1057	pre-birth or post-birth express consents or relinquishments
1058	1058	regarding the adoptee shall be signed or confirmed before any
1059	1059	of the following:
1060	1060	505
1061	1061	506
1062	1062	507
1063	1063	508
1064	1064	509
1065	1065	510
1066	1066	511
1067	1067	512
1068	1068	513
1069	1069	514
1070	1070	515
1071	1071	516
1072	1072	517
1073	1073	518
1074	1074	519
1075	1075	520
1076	1076	521
1077	1077	522
1078	1078	523
1079	1079	524
1080	1080	525
1081	1081	526
1082	1082	527
1083	1083	528
1084	1084	529
1085	1085	530
1086	1086	531
1087	1087	532 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1088	1088	Page 20
1089	1089	(1) A judge or clerk of any court that has jurisdiction
1090	1090	over adoption proceedings or a public officer appointed by the
1091	1091	judge for the purpose of taking express consents.
1092	1092	(2) An individual appointed to take express consents
1093	1093	who is appointed by any agency that is authorized to conduct
1094	1094	investigations or home studies provided by Section 26-10E-19,
1095	1095	or, if the express consent is taken out of state, by an
1096	1096	individual appointed to take consents by any agency that is
1097	1097	authorized by that state's law to conduct investigations and
1098	1098	home studies for adoptions.
1099	1099	(3) A notary public.
1100	1100	(c) The Administrative Office of Courts, in
1101	1101	collaboration with the Alabama Law Institute, a division of
1102	1102	the Legislative Services Agency, shall prepare the forms
1103	1103	necessary to meet the requirements of this chapter.
1104	1104	§26-10E-13
1105	1105	(a) All existing express consents or relinquishments
1106	1106	required by this chapter shall be filed with the probate court
1107	1107	along with the petition. Any other express consents or
1108	1108	relinquishments required by this chapter and acquired while
1109	1109	the petition for adoption is pending shall be filed with the
1110	1110	court overseeing the adoption before the final judgment of
1111	1111	adoption is entered.
1112	1112	(b) An express consent or relinquishment may be taken
1113	1113	at any time, except that, once signed or confirmed, may be
1114	1114	withdrawn for any reason within five business days after the
1115	1115	birth of the adoptee or within five business days after the
1116	1116	signing of the express consent or relinquishment, whichever
1117	1117	533
1118	1118	534
1119	1119	535
1120	1120	536
1121	1121	537
1122	1122	538
1123	1123	539
1124	1124	540
1125	1125	541
1126	1126	542
1127	1127	543
1128	1128	544
1129	1129	545
1130	1130	546
1131	1131	547
1132	1132	548
1133	1133	549
1134	1134	550
1135	1135	551
1136	1136	552
1137	1137	553
1138	1138	554
1139	1139	555
1140	1140	556
1141	1141	557
1142	1142	558
1143	1143	559
1144	1144	560 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1145	1145	Page 21
1146	1146	comes last.
1147	1147	§26-10E-14
1148	1148	(a) The consent or relinquishment, once signed or
1149	1149	confirmed, may not be withdrawn except in one of the following
1150	1150	circumstances:
1151	1151	(1) As provided in Section 26-10E-13.
1152	1152	(2) When, at any time before entry of the final
1153	1153	judgment of adoption, the court determines that the express
1154	1154	consent or relinquishment was obtained by fraud, duress,
1155	1155	mistake, or undue influence on the part of, or on behalf of,
1156	1156	the petitioner; provided, however, that, after one year from
1157	1157	the date of entry of the final judgment of adoption and after
1158	1158	all appeals, if any, an express consent or relinquishment may
1159	1159	not be challenged on any ground, except in cases of fraud or
1160	1160	cases in which the adoptee has been kidnapped.
1161	1161	(3) Upon denial of a petition for adoption after a
1162	1162	contested case under Section 26-10E-24.
1163	1163	(b) The withdrawal of express consent or relinquishment
1164	1164	as provided in Section 26-10E-13(b) shall become effective by
1165	1165	the affiant's signing and dating the withdrawal form provided
1166	1166	pursuant to Section 26-10E-12, or by filing the withdrawal
1167	1167	form within five business days of the child's birth or within
1168	1168	five business days of signing the express consent or
1169	1169	relinquishment, whichever comes last.
1170	1170	(c) The petition to withdraw express consent or
1171	1171	relinquishment must be in writing, executed by the individual
1172	1172	seeking to withdraw the express consent or relinquishment,
1173	1173	dated, and signed by two witnesses or a notary public.
1174	1174	561
1175	1175	562
1176	1176	563
1177	1177	564
1178	1178	565
1179	1179	566
1180	1180	567
1181	1181	568
1182	1182	569
1183	1183	570
1184	1184	571
1185	1185	572
1186	1186	573
1187	1187	574
1188	1188	575
1189	1189	576
1190	1190	577
1191	1191	578
1192	1192	579
1193	1193	580
1194	1194	581
1195	1195	582
1196	1196	583
1197	1197	584
1198	1198	585
1199	1199	586
1200	1200	587
1201	1201	588 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1202	1202	Page 22
1203	1203	(d) In adjudicating a petition to withdraw an express
1204	1204	consent or relinquishment, the court shall require that the
1205	1205	individual seeking to withdraw the express consent or
1206	1206	relinquishment shall establish the facts necessary to withdraw
1207	1207	the express consent or relinquishment by a preponderance of
1208	1208	the evidence.
1209	1209	(e) If the court directs that the express consent or
1210	1210	relinquishment be withdrawn, the court shall order the child
1211	1211	restored to the custody of his or her parent or parents, the
1212	1212	county Department of Human Resources, or a licensed child
1213	1213	placing agency, as the case may be; otherwise, the court shall
1214	1214	deny the withdrawal and declare that the express consent or
1215	1215	relinquishment is final and binding. Any order made by the
1216	1216	court upon a petition to withdraw express consent or
1217	1217	relinquishment under this section shall be deemed a final
1218	1218	judgment for the purpose of filing an appeal under Section
1219	1219	26-10E-25.
1220	1220	§26-10E-15
1221	1221	(a) No health facility shall surrender the physical
1222	1222	custody of an adoptee to any individual or entity other than
1223	1223	the county Department of Human Resources (the department), a
1224	1224	licensed child placing agency, parent, relative by blood or
1225	1225	marriage, or individual having legal custody, unless this
1226	1226	surrender is authorized in a writing executed after the birth
1227	1227	of the adoptee by one of the adoptee's parents, the agency, or
1228	1228	the individual having legal custody of the adoptee.
1229	1229	(b) A health facility shall report to the county
1230	1230	Department of Human Resources, on forms supplied by the
1231	1231	589
1232	1232	590
1233	1233	591
1234	1234	592
1235	1235	593
1236	1236	594
1237	1237	595
1238	1238	596
1239	1239	597
1240	1240	598
1241	1241	599
1242	1242	600
1243	1243	601
1244	1244	602
1245	1245	603
1246	1246	604
1247	1247	605
1248	1248	606
1249	1249	607
1250	1250	608
1251	1251	609
1252	1252	610
1253	1253	611
1254	1254	612
1255	1255	613
1256	1256	614
1257	1257	615
1258	1258	616 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1259	1259	Page 23
1260	1260	department, the name and address of any individual and, in the
1261	1261	case of an individual acting as an agent for an organization,
1262	1262	the name and address of the organization to whose physical
1263	1263	custody an adoptee is surrendered. This report shall be
1264	1264	transmitted to the department within 48 hours from the
1265	1265	surrendering of custody.
1266	1266	§26-10E-16
1267	1267	(a) A petition for adoption of an adoptee shall bear
1268	1268	the caption "In the Matter of the Adoption Petition of [each
1269	1269	named petitioner.]" The completed petition shall be signed and
1270	1270	verified by each petitioner and shall set forth each of the
1271	1271	following:
1272	1272	(1) The full name, date of birth, place of residence,
1273	1273	and relationship to the adoptee of each petitioner, and, if
1274	1274	the petitioners are married, the place and date of their
1275	1275	marriage.
1276	1276	(2) The date and place of birth of the adoptee, if
1277	1277	known.
1278	1278	(3) The birth name of the adoptee, any other names by
1279	1279	which the adoptee has been known, and the name by which the
1280	1280	adoptee shall be known.
1281	1281	(4) That the physical custody of the adoptee has been
1282	1282	placed with the petitioner or petitioners for the purpose of
1283	1283	adoption and that the adoptee has been residing with the
1284	1284	petitioner or petitioners since a specified date, or a
1285	1285	statement of good cause as to why placement and physical
1286	1286	custody is not required or should be excused or waived.
1287	1287	(5) That the petitioner or petitioners desire to
1288	1288	617
1289	1289	618
1290	1290	619
1291	1291	620
1292	1292	621
1293	1293	622
1294	1294	623
1295	1295	624
1296	1296	625
1297	1297	626
1298	1298	627
1299	1299	628
1300	1300	629
1301	1301	630
1302	1302	631
1303	1303	632
1304	1304	633
1305	1305	634
1306	1306	635
1307	1307	636
1308	1308	637
1309	1309	638
1310	1310	639
1311	1311	640
1312	1312	641
1313	1313	642
1314	1314	643
1315	1315	644 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1316	1316	Page 24
1317	1317	establish a parent and child relationship between himself or
1318	1318	herself and the adoptee and that he or she is a fit and proper
1319	1319	individual able to care for and provide for the adoptee's
1320	1320	welfare.
1321	1321	(6) The existence and nature of any prior or pending
1322	1322	judicial proceedings known to the petitioner or petitioners
1323	1323	that affect the custody, visitation with, or parentage of, the
1324	1324	adoptee.
1325	1325	(7) The name and address of the licensed child placing
1326	1326	agency, if any.
1327	1327	(8) The names and addresses of all individuals or
1328	1328	agencies known to the petitioner or petitioners at the time of
1329	1329	filing from whom consents or relinquishments to the adoption
1330	1330	are required and whether the individuals or agencies have
1331	1331	given express or implied consent to the adoption.
1332	1332	(9) The names and addresses of all other individuals or
1333	1333	agencies known to the petitioner or petitioners who are
1334	1334	entitled to notice of the adoption proceedings under Section
1335	1335	26-10E-17.
1336	1336	(b) The petitioner or petitioners shall attach each of
1337	1337	the following to the petition:
1338	1338	(1) A government-issued document bearing photographic
1339	1339	identification of each petitioner.
1340	1340	(2) If the petitioners are married, a certified
1341	1341	document establishing proof of marriage or an affidavit of
1342	1342	their common law marriage.
1343	1343	(3) A certified copy of the adoptee's birth certificate
1344	1344	issued within six months of the date of the filing of the
1345	1345	645
1346	1346	646
1347	1347	647
1348	1348	648
1349	1349	649
1350	1350	650
1351	1351	651
1352	1352	652
1353	1353	653
1354	1354	654
1355	1355	655
1356	1356	656
1357	1357	657
1358	1358	658
1359	1359	659
1360	1360	660
1361	1361	661
1362	1362	662
1363	1363	663
1364	1364	664
1365	1365	665
1366	1366	666
1367	1367	667
1368	1368	668
1369	1369	669
1370	1370	670
1371	1371	671
1372	1372	672 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1373	1373	Page 25
1374	1374	petition or an affidavit stating that application for the
1375	1375	birth certificate has been made.
1376	1376	(4) Any written authorization allowing the adoptee to
1377	1377	be placed in the home of the petitioner or petitioners.
1378	1378	(5) A copy of any court orders affecting the custody,
1379	1379	visitation with, or parentage of, the adoptee accessible to
1380	1380	the petitioner or petitioners.
1381	1381	(6) Any and all existing express consents and
1382	1382	relinquishments upon which the petitioner or petitioners rely
1383	1383	for the adoption.
1384	1384	(7) If a pre-placement investigation is required under
1385	1385	this chapter, a copy of the pre-placement investigation
1386	1386	report.
1387	1387	(8) An accounting of all anticipated costs and expenses
1388	1388	for the adoption.
1389	1389	(c) In the case of an unknown father, a verified
1390	1390	affidavit signed by the biological mother, under penalty of
1391	1391	perjury, setting forth the following information shall be
1392	1392	attached to the petition, unless the whereabouts of the mother
1393	1393	are unknown, she is deceased, or the parental rights of the
1394	1394	mother and unknown father have been previously terminated as
1395	1395	to the adoptee:
1396	1396	(1) Whether the mother was married at the probable time
1397	1397	of conception of the adoptee, or at a later time, and if so,
1398	1398	the identity and last known address of her husband.
1399	1399	(2) Whether the mother was cohabitating with a man at
1400	1400	the probable time of conception of the adoptee, and, if so,
1401	1401	the identity of the man, his last known address, and why the
1402	1402	673
1403	1403	674
1404	1404	675
1405	1405	676
1406	1406	677
1407	1407	678
1408	1408	679
1409	1409	680
1410	1410	681
1411	1411	682
1412	1412	683
1413	1413	684
1414	1414	685
1415	1415	686
1416	1416	687
1417	1417	688
1418	1418	689
1419	1419	690
1420	1420	691
1421	1421	692
1422	1422	693
1423	1423	694
1424	1424	695
1425	1425	696
1426	1426	697
1427	1427	698
1428	1428	699
1429	1429	700 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1430	1430	Page 26
1431	1431	mother contends the man is not the legal father or putative
1432	1432	father of the adoptee.
1433	1433	(3) Whether the mother has received payments or promise
1434	1434	of support from any man with respect to the adoptee or her
1435	1435	pregnancy, and, if so, the identity of the man, his last known
1436	1436	address, and why the mother contends the man is not the legal
1437	1437	father or putative father of the adoptee.
1438	1438	(4) Whether the mother has named any man as the father
1439	1439	on the birth certificate of the adoptee or in connection with
1440	1440	applying for or receiving public assistance, and if so, the
1441	1441	identity of the man, his last known address, and why the
1442	1442	mother contends the man is not the legal father or putative
1443	1443	father of the adoptee.
1444	1444	(5) Whether the mother identified any man as the legal
1445	1445	father or putative father of the adoptee to any hospital
1446	1446	personnel, and, if so, the identity of the man, his last known
1447	1447	address, the name and address of the hospital, and why the
1448	1448	mother contends the man is not the legal father or putative
1449	1449	father of the adoptee.
1450	1450	(6) Whether the mother has informed any man that he may
1451	1451	be the legal father or putative father of the adoptee, and, if
1452	1452	so, the identity of the man, his last known address, and why
1453	1453	the mother contends the man is not the legal father or
1454	1454	putative father of the adoptee.
1455	1455	(7) Whether any man has formally or informally
1456	1456	acknowledged or claimed paternity of the adoptee in any
1457	1457	jurisdiction at the time of the inquiry, and if so, the
1458	1458	identity of the man, his last known address, and why the
1459	1459	701
1460	1460	702
1461	1461	703
1462	1462	704
1463	1463	705
1464	1464	706
1465	1465	707
1466	1466	708
1467	1467	709
1468	1468	710
1469	1469	711
1470	1470	712
1471	1471	713
1472	1472	714
1473	1473	715
1474	1474	716
1475	1475	717
1476	1476	718
1477	1477	719
1478	1478	720
1479	1479	721
1480	1480	722
1481	1481	723
1482	1482	724
1483	1483	725
1484	1484	726
1485	1485	727
1486	1486	728 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1487	1487	Page 27
1488	1488	mother contends the man is not the legal father or putative
1489	1489	father of the adoptee.
1490	1490	(8) That the mother has been informed that her
1491	1491	statement concerning the identity of the legal father or
1492	1492	putative father will be used only for the limited purpose of
1493	1493	adoption and, once the adoption is complete, that such
1494	1494	identity will be sealed.
1495	1495	(9) That the mother acknowledges she is aware of the
1496	1496	remedies available to her for protection from abuse pursuant
1497	1497	to Alabama law, commencing with Section 30-5-1.
1498	1498	(d) The petition, the various documents attached
1499	1499	thereto as required by this section, or an appendix signed by
1500	1500	counsel or other credible individuals shall fully disclose all
1501	1501	that is known about the biological parentage of the adoptee.
1502	1502	(e) Except in cases governed by Section 26-10E-26 or
1503	1503	Section 26-10E-27, the petition for adoption shall be filed
1504	1504	with the clerk of the probate court within 60 days after the
1505	1505	adoptee is physically placed with the petitioner or
1506	1506	petitioners for purposes of adoption unless the adoptee is in
1507	1507	the custody of the Department of Human Resources, a licensed
1508	1508	child placing agency, or is currently receiving care in a
1509	1509	medical facility, except that, for good cause shown, a
1510	1510	petition may be filed beyond the 60-day period. In cases
1511	1511	governed by Sections 26-10E-26 or 26-10E-27, the petition may
1512	1512	be filed at any time.
1513	1513	§26-10E-17
1514	1514	(a) Unless notice has been previously waived as
1515	1515	provided in subsection (d), notice of pendency of an adoption
1516	1516	729
1517	1517	730
1518	1518	731
1519	1519	732
1520	1520	733
1521	1521	734
1522	1522	735
1523	1523	736
1524	1524	737
1525	1525	738
1526	1526	739
1527	1527	740
1528	1528	741
1529	1529	742
1530	1530	743
1531	1531	744
1532	1532	745
1533	1533	746
1534	1534	747
1535	1535	748
1536	1536	749
1537	1537	750
1538	1538	751
1539	1539	752
1540	1540	753
1541	1541	754
1542	1542	755
1543	1543	756 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1544	1544	Page 28
1545	1545	proceeding shall be served by the petitioner on each of the
1546	1546	following:
1547	1547	(1) Any individual, agency, or institution whose
1548	1548	consent or relinquishment is required.
1549	1549	(2) The legal father of the adoptee.
1550	1550	(3) The putative father of the adoptee, if made known
1551	1551	to the court, provided the putative father has complied with
1552	1552	Section 26-10C-1.
1553	1553	(4) The legal custodian or guardian of the adoptee.
1554	1554	(5) The spouse of a petitioner who is a stepparent
1555	1555	unless express consent is attached to the petition.
1556	1556	(6) A grandparent of the adoptee if the grandparent's
1557	1557	child is a deceased parent of the adoptee and, before his or
1558	1558	her death, the deceased parent had not executed an express
1559	1559	consent or relinquishment or the deceased parent's parental
1560	1560	relationship to the adoptee had not been otherwise terminated.
1561	1561	(7) Any person known to the petitioner or petitioners
1562	1562	as currently having physical custody of the adoptee or having
1563	1563	visitation rights with the adoptee under an existing court
1564	1564	order.
1565	1565	(8) The agency or individual authorized to investigate
1566	1566	the adoption under Section 26-10E-19.
1567	1567	(9) The Alabama Department of Human Resources.
1568	1568	(10) If the adoptee is in foster care, the director of
1569	1569	the county Department of Human Resources with legal custody of
1570	1570	the adoptee.
1571	1571	(11) Any other person designated by the court.
1572	1572	(b) The notice shall contain all of the following
1573	1573	757
1574	1574	758
1575	1575	759
1576	1576	760
1577	1577	761
1578	1578	762
1579	1579	763
1580	1580	764
1581	1581	765
1582	1582	766
1583	1583	767
1584	1584	768
1585	1585	769
1586	1586	770
1587	1587	771
1588	1588	772
1589	1589	773
1590	1590	774
1591	1591	775
1592	1592	776
1593	1593	777
1594	1594	778
1595	1595	779
1596	1596	780
1597	1597	781
1598	1598	782
1599	1599	783
1600	1600	784 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1601	1601	Page 29
1602	1602	information:
1603	1603	(1) That a petition for adoption of the adoptee has
1604	1604	been filed in the probate court.
1605	1605	(2) That the notified party may appear in the adoption
1606	1606	proceeding to contest or to support the petition.
1607	1607	(3) That the notified party has 30 days from the time
1608	1608	of proper service of the notice to respond to the notice.
1609	1609	(4) That, if the notified party fails to respond within
1610	1610	30 days of proper service, the court may construe that failure
1611	1611	as an implied consent to the adoption and as a waiver of a
1612	1612	right to appear and of further notice of the adoption
1613	1613	proceedings.
1614	1614	(5) That, if the adoption is approved, the parental
1615	1615	rights of the notified party, if any, will be considered
1616	1616	terminated.
1617	1617	(c) Service of the notice shall be made in the
1618	1618	following manner:
1619	1619	(1) Service of process shall be made in accordance with
1620	1620	the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure unless otherwise provided
1621	1621	herein. Service on the parties designated in subdivisions
1622	1622	(a)(8), (a)(9), and (a)(10) shall be by certified mail. As to
1623	1623	any other individual, agency, or institution for whom notice
1624	1624	is required under subsection (a), service by certified mail,
1625	1625	return receipt requested, shall be sufficient. If this service
1626	1626	cannot be completed after two attempts, upon motion and
1627	1627	affidavit, the court shall issue an order providing for one of
1628	1628	the following:
1629	1629	a. Service by publication.
1630	1630	785
1631	1631	786
1632	1632	787
1633	1633	788
1634	1634	789
1635	1635	790
1636	1636	791
1637	1637	792
1638	1638	793
1639	1639	794
1640	1640	795
1641	1641	796
1642	1642	797
1643	1643	798
1644	1644	799
1645	1645	800
1646	1646	801
1647	1647	802
1648	1648	803
1649	1649	804
1650	1650	805
1651	1651	806
1652	1652	807
1653	1653	808
1654	1654	809
1655	1655	810
1656	1656	811
1657	1657	812 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1658	1658	Page 30
1659	1659	b. Posting notice in the courthouse of the court
1660	1660	exercising jurisdiction over the adoption proceedings and in
1661	1661	the courthouse of the probate court of the county of the
1662	1662	biological parents' last known address.
1663	1663	c. Any other substituted service as determined by the
1664	1664	court.
1665	1665	(d) Service by publication shall be made in the county
1666	1666	of the last known address of the mother and the legal or
1667	1667	putative father unless no newspaper of general circulation
1668	1668	exists in the county, in which case service by publication
1669	1669	shall be made in a newspaper with general circulation in that
1670	1670	county.
1671	1671	(e) The notice required by this section may be waived
1672	1672	in writing by the person entitled to receive notice. A party
1673	1673	listed in subdivisions (a)(8), (a)(9), and (a)(10) may appoint
1674	1674	an employee to waive notice on its behalf.
1675	1675	(f) Proof of service of the notice on all persons for
1676	1676	whom notice is required by this section must be filed with the
1677	1677	court before the adjudicatory hearing of a contested case
1678	1678	provided for in Section 26-10E-23.
1679	1679	§26-10E-18
1680	1680	(a) Once a petitioner or petitioners has received an
1681	1681	adoptee into his or her home for the purposes of adoption and
1682	1682	a petition for adoption has been filed, an interlocutory order
1683	1683	may be entered delegating to the petitioner or petitioners
1684	1684	both of the following:
1685	1685	(1) Physical custody, except legal custody shall be
1686	1686	retained by the county Department of Human Resources or the
1687	1687	813
1688	1688	814
1689	1689	815
1690	1690	816
1691	1691	817
1692	1692	818
1693	1693	819
1694	1694	820
1695	1695	821
1696	1696	822
1697	1697	823
1698	1698	824
1699	1699	825
1700	1700	826
1701	1701	827
1702	1702	828
1703	1703	829
1704	1704	830
1705	1705	831
1706	1706	832
1707	1707	833
1708	1708	834
1709	1709	835
1710	1710	836
1711	1711	837
1712	1712	838
1713	1713	839
1714	1714	840 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1715	1715	Page 31
1716	1716	licensed child placing agency which held legal custody at the
1717	1717	time of the placement until the entry of final judgment of
1718	1718	adoption.
1719	1719	(2) The responsibility for the care, maintenance, and
1720	1720	support of the adoptee, including any necessary medical or
1721	1721	surgical treatment, pending further order of the court.
1722	1722	(b) This interlocutory order shall not stop the running
1723	1723	of the time periods proscribed in Section 26-10E-9.
1724	1724	§26-10E-19
1725	1725	(a) A pre-placement investigation shall be completed to
1726	1726	determine the suitability of each petitioner and the home in
1727	1727	which the adoptee will be placed. The pre-placement
1728	1728	investigation shall include a criminal background
1729	1729	investigation and any other circumstances which might be
1730	1730	relevant to the placement of an adoptee with the petitioner or
1731	1731	petitioners. The investigation must include, but is not
1732	1732	limited to, all the following:
1733	1733	(1) Letters of suitability for each adult living in the
1734	1734	home of the petitioner or petitioners based on the information
1735	1735	available in this state or the petitioner's place of residence
1736	1736	if other than this state. For the purposes of this section,
1737	1737	the term "letters of suitability" refers to the Federal Bureau
1738	1738	of Investigation and the State Bureau of Investigation
1739	1739	clearances.
1740	1740	(2) Child abuse and neglect clearances pursuant to the
1741	1741	Adam Walsh Act, Public Law 109-248, for all household members
1742	1742	14 years of age and older from any state in which any
1743	1743	petitioner has resided for five years or more.
1744	1744	841
1745	1745	842
1746	1746	843
1747	1747	844
1748	1748	845
1749	1749	846
1750	1750	847
1751	1751	848
1752	1752	849
1753	1753	850
1754	1754	851
1755	1755	852
1756	1756	853
1757	1757	854
1758	1758	855
1759	1759	856
1760	1760	857
1761	1761	858
1762	1762	859
1763	1763	860
1764	1764	861
1765	1765	862
1766	1766	863
1767	1767	864
1768	1768	865
1769	1769	866
1770	1770	867
1771	1771	868 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1772	1772	Page 32
1773	1773	(3) The anticipated costs and expenses related to the
1774	1774	adoption.
1775	1775	(4) Any agency and social worker licenses.
1776	1776	(5) Six reference letters, four unrelated to the
1777	1777	petitioner or petitioners by blood or marriage and two related
1778	1778	to the petitioner or petitioners by blood or marriage. If
1779	1779	there are two petitioners, one related reference letter shall
1780	1780	be written by a member of each petitioner's family.
1781	1781	(6) Medical reports on all individuals living in the
1782	1782	home, and letters from any prescribing doctors for any
1783	1783	controlled substance prescriptions.
1784	1784	(7) The financial worksheets for each petitioner for
1785	1785	the previous tax year or a copy of the previous year's tax
1786	1786	returns.
1787	1787	(8) Copies of each petitioner's birth certificates and
1788	1788	marriage licenses.
1789	1789	(9) Copies of current pet vaccinations.
1790	1790	(10) Copies of any divorce decrees, if applicable.
1791	1791	(11) Copies of any death certificates, if applicable.
1792	1792	(12) Verification of who will do supervisory visits, if
1793	1793	applicable.
1794	1794	(13) A written biography of each petitioner, including
1795	1795	medical and social history.
1796	1796	(14) A home safety inspection indicating that the home
1797	1797	of the petitioner or petitioners is safe for the adoptee's
1798	1798	residency.
1799	1799	(15) Any other requirement pursuant to Title 660 of the
1800	1800	Alabama Administrative Code or any other rule adopted by the
1801	1801	869
1802	1802	870
1803	1803	871
1804	1804	872
1805	1805	873
1806	1806	874
1807	1807	875
1808	1808	876
1809	1809	877
1810	1810	878
1811	1811	879
1812	1812	880
1813	1813	881
1814	1814	882
1815	1815	883
1816	1816	884
1817	1817	885
1818	1818	886
1819	1819	887
1820	1820	888
1821	1821	889
1822	1822	890
1823	1823	891
1824	1824	892
1825	1825	893
1826	1826	894
1827	1827	895
1828	1828	896 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1829	1829	Page 33
1830	1830	Department of Human Resources.
1831	1831	(b) An individual or married couple may initiate a
1832	1832	pre-placement investigation by request through either of the
1833	1833	following individuals:
1834	1834	(1) Anyone authorized in the jurisdiction in which the
1835	1835	petitioner or petitioners reside.
1836	1836	(2) Anyone approved by the probate court under the
1837	1837	qualifications of subsection (f) to perform the pre-placement
1838	1838	investigation.
1839	1839	(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1), the court on
1840	1840	its own motion may order the pre-placement investigation be
1841	1841	performed by an agency or individual other than the agency
1842	1842	placing the adoptee.
1843	1843	(d) Upon completion of the pre-placement investigation,
1844	1844	a copy of the pre-placement investigative report shall be sent
1845	1845	to the petitioner or petitioners. The pre-placement
1846	1846	investigative report is to be filed with the court at the time
1847	1847	of the filing of the petition for adoption unless the court
1848	1848	grants leave to file the report after the filing of the
1849	1849	petition for good cause shown on the record. The pre-placement
1850	1850	investigation must be performed within 12 months of the filing
1851	1851	of the petition for adoption.
1852	1852	(e) No judgment for the adoption of any adoptee shall
1853	1853	be entered until a full post-placement investigative report
1854	1854	has been completed and filed with the court concerning all of
1855	1855	the following:
1856	1856	(1) Why the biological parents or legal parents, if
1857	1857	living, desire to be relieved of the care, support, and
1858	1858	897
1859	1859	898
1860	1860	899
1861	1861	900
1862	1862	901
1863	1863	902
1864	1864	903
1865	1865	904
1866	1866	905
1867	1867	906
1868	1868	907
1869	1869	908
1870	1870	909
1871	1871	910
1872	1872	911
1873	1873	912
1874	1874	913
1875	1875	914
1876	1876	915
1877	1877	916
1878	1878	917
1879	1879	918
1880	1880	919
1881	1881	920
1882	1882	921
1883	1883	922
1884	1884	923
1885	1885	924 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1886	1886	Page 34
1887	1887	guardianship of the adoptee.
1888	1888	(2) Whether the biological parents or legal parents
1889	1889	have abandoned the adoptee or are otherwise unsuited to have
1890	1890	custody of the adoptee.
1891	1891	(3) Any orders, judgments, or decrees affecting the
1892	1892	custody of the adoptee or any children of any petitioner as
1893	1893	can be determined by a due diligence search.
1894	1894	(4) Any property owned by the adoptee.
1895	1895	(5) The updated medical and mental health histories of
1896	1896	the adoptee. These documents shall also be provided to the
1897	1897	petitioner or petitioners in writing before the final decree
1898	1898	is entered.
1899	1899	(6) The updated medical and mental health histories of
1900	1900	the adoptee's biological parents.
1901	1901	(7) Any other circumstances which may be relevant to
1902	1902	the placement of the adoptee with the petitioner or
1903	1903	petitioners.
1904	1904	(8) The updated letters of suitability, the updated
1905	1905	Child Abuse and Neglect Clearances, updated criminal records
1906	1906	from the county in which the petitioner or petitioners have
1907	1907	resided for the two years prior to the finalization of the
1908	1908	adoption, and updated results from the National Sex Offender
1909	1909	Public Registry.
1910	1910	(9) If applicable to the adoption, the court shall
1911	1911	ensure compliance with the Interstate Compact for the
1912	1912	Placement of Children, codified as Section 44-2-20. Proof of
1913	1913	compliance is determined by the authorized signatures of the
1914	1914	sending and receiving states on the Interstate Compact on the
1915	1915	925
1916	1916	926
1917	1917	927
1918	1918	928
1919	1919	929
1920	1920	930
1921	1921	931
1922	1922	932
1923	1923	933
1924	1924	934
1925	1925	935
1926	1926	936
1927	1927	937
1928	1928	938
1929	1929	939
1930	1930	940
1931	1931	941
1932	1932	942
1933	1933	943
1934	1934	944
1935	1935	945
1936	1936	946
1937	1937	947
1938	1938	948
1939	1939	949
1940	1940	950
1941	1941	951
1942	1942	952 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
1943	1943	Page 35
1944	1944	Placement of Children Request Form.
1945	1945	(f) The required pre-placement and post-placement
1946	1946	investigations must be performed by one of the following:
1947	1947	(1) The Department of Human Resources.
1948	1948	(2) A licensed child placing agency.
1949	1949	(3) A social worker licensed by the State Board of
1950	1950	Social Work Examiners who is also certified by the State Board
1951	1951	of Social Work Examiners for private independent practice in
1952	1952	the social casework specialty, as provided in Section 34-30-3.
1953	1953	(g) Notwithstanding subdivision (f), the court on its
1954	1954	own motion may order the post-placement investigation be
1955	1955	performed by an agency or individual other than the agency
1956	1956	placing the adoptee when the court has cause to believe the
1957	1957	post-placement investigation is insufficient.
1958	1958	(h) In every adoption proceeding, after a child has
1959	1959	been placed in the home of the petitioner or petitioners, the
1960	1960	post-placement investigator must observe the adoptee and
1961	1961	interview each petitioner in his or her home as soon as
1962	1962	possible after notice of the placement but within 45 days
1963	1963	after the placement.
1964	1964	(i) The investigator shall complete and file the
1965	1965	pre-placement written investigative report with the court
1966	1966	within 60 days from receipt of notice of the proceeding and
1967	1967	shall deliver a copy of the pre-placement investigative report
1968	1968	to each petitioner's attorney or to each petitioner appearing
1969	1969	pro se. The pre-placement investigative report shall include a
1970	1970	verification of all allegations of the petition. The
1971	1971	pre-placement investigative report shall include sufficient
1972	1972	953
1973	1973	954
1974	1974	955
1975	1975	956
1976	1976	957
1977	1977	958
1978	1978	959
1979	1979	960
1980	1980	961
1981	1981	962
1982	1982	963
1983	1983	964
1984	1984	965
1985	1985	966
1986	1986	967
1987	1987	968
1988	1988	969
1989	1989	970
1990	1990	971
1991	1991	972
1992	1992	973
1993	1993	974
1994	1994	975
1995	1995	976
1996	1996	977
1997	1997	978
1998	1998	979
1999	1999	980 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2000	2000	Page 36
2001	2001	facts for the court to determine whether there has been
2002	2002	compliance with consent or relinquishment provisions of this
2003	2003	chapter. The post-placement investigative report shall include
2004	2004	all the information enumerated within subdivisions (a)(1)
2005	2005	through (a)(10) that was not obtained in the pre-placement
2006	2006	investigation required under subsection (a). The
2007	2007	post-placement investigative report shall be submitted in a
2008	2008	form developed by the Department of Human Resources in
2009	2009	conjunction with the Alabama Probate Judges Association and
2010	2010	the Alabama Law Institute.
2011	2011	(j) Upon a showing of good cause and after notice to
2012	2012	the petitioners, the court may grant extensions of time to the
2013	2013	investigator to file an investigative report. Notwithstanding
2014	2014	this extension of time, the pre-placement and post-placement
2015	2015	investigative reports must be filed prior to the entry of the
2016	2016	final judgment.
2017	2017	(k) Notwithstanding this section, no investigations
2018	2018	shall be required for those adoptions under Sections 26-10E-26
2019	2019	and 26-10E-27 unless ordered by the court or otherwise
2020	2020	required by Article 8 of Section 44-2-20.
2021	2021	(l) When an investigation has been conducted, the
2022	2022	investigatory report shall not be conclusive but may be
2023	2023	considered along with other evidence.
2024	2024	(m) The court may, in its discretion, order the
2025	2025	appointment of a court representative to investigate and
2026	2026	evaluate any matters relating to adoption, including the best
2027	2027	interests of the adoptee.
2028	2028	§26-10E-20
2029	2029	981
2030	2030	982
2031	2031	983
2032	2032	984
2033	2033	985
2034	2034	986
2035	2035	987
2036	2036	988
2037	2037	989
2038	2038	990
2039	2039	991
2040	2040	992
2041	2041	993
2042	2042	994
2043	2043	995
2044	2044	996
2045	2045	997
2046	2046	998
2047	2047	999
2048	2048	1000
2049	2049	1001
2050	2050	1002
2051	2051	1003
2052	2052	1004
2053	2053	1005
2054	2054	1006
2055	2055	1007
2056	2056	1008 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2057	2057	Page 37
2058	2058	After the petitioner or petitioners have received the
2059	2059	adoptee into his, her, or their home, the adoptee shall not be
2060	2060	removed from the county in which the petitioner or petitioners
2061	2061	reside until the final judgment has been entered for a period
2062	2062	of longer than 15 consecutive days, unless notice is given to
2063	2063	the investigative agency or individual.
2064	2064	§26-10E-21
2065	2065	(a) In making adoption arrangements, potential adoptive
2066	2066	parents and biological parents may obtain counsel to provide
2067	2067	legal advice and assistance.
2068	2068	(b) When required by this chapter, the court may
2069	2069	appoint a guardian ad litem for the adoptee, any mentally
2070	2070	incapacitated person, or a minor. In cases in which a guardian
2071	2071	ad litem is not required by this chapter, upon a motion of a
2072	2072	party or on its own motion, the court may appoint a guardian
2073	2073	ad litem for good cause shown.
2074	2074	(c) The fees of the guardian ad litem shall be assessed
2075	2075	by the court and taxed as costs upon the conclusion of
2076	2076	services provided by the guardian ad litem; provided, however,
2077	2077	that in contested cases under Section 26-10E-23, the court
2078	2078	shall assess and award the guardian ad litem a fee at the time
2079	2079	of appointment based on the reasonable amount of fees expected
2080	2080	to be incurred. The fees shall be payable by the contestant
2081	2081	and the petitioner proportionately as determined by the court,
2082	2082	subject to the authority of the court to revise the amount or
2083	2083	proportionate responsibility for the fees upon entry of the
2084	2084	final judgment adjudicating the contest.
2085	2085	(d) The court shall have the power to enforce any award
2086	2086	1009
2087	2087	1010
2088	2088	1011
2089	2089	1012
2090	2090	1013
2091	2091	1014
2092	2092	1015
2093	2093	1016
2094	2094	1017
2095	2095	1018
2096	2096	1019
2097	2097	1020
2098	2098	1021
2099	2099	1022
2100	2100	1023
2101	2101	1024
2102	2102	1025
2103	2103	1026
2104	2104	1027
2105	2105	1028
2106	2106	1029
2107	2107	1030
2108	2108	1031
2109	2109	1032
2110	2110	1033
2111	2111	1034
2112	2112	1035
2113	2113	1036 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2114	2114	Page 38
2115	2115	of fees to the guardian ad litem through contempt or other
2116	2116	enforcement proceedings.
2117	2117	§26-10E-22
2118	2118	(a) No individual, organization, group, agency, or any
2119	2119	legal entity may accept any fee whatsoever for bringing any
2120	2120	petitioner together with the adoptee or the parents of the
2121	2121	adoptee.
2122	2122	(2) A violation of this section is a Class A
2123	2123	misdemeanor, except that a second or subsequent conviction is
2124	2124	a Class C felony.
2125	2125	(b)(1) The petitioner or petitioners may provide
2126	2126	payment for maternity-connected expenses, medical or hospital
2127	2127	expenses, and necessary living expenses of the mother
2128	2128	preceding and during pregnancy-related incapacity, provided
2129	2129	that the payment is not contingent upon the placement of the
2130	2130	minor child for adoption, consent to the adoption, or
2131	2131	cooperation in the completion of the adoption.
2132	2132	(2) Prior to any payment pursuant to this subsection,
2133	2133	the petitioner or petitioners must file with the court a full
2134	2134	accounting of all charges for expenses, fees, or services they
2135	2135	or individuals acting on their behalf will be paying relating
2136	2136	to the adoption. Payment may be made only with court approval
2137	2137	except that fees may be placed in an escrow account prior to
2138	2138	court approval. The court may not refuse to approve a fee for
2139	2139	documented services on the sole basis that a prospective
2140	2140	adoptee has not been placed. The court shall approve all
2141	2141	reasonable fees and expenses unless determined by the court to
2142	2142	be unreasonable based upon specific written findings of fact.
2143	2143	1037
2144	2144	1038
2145	2145	1039
2146	2146	1040
2147	2147	1041
2148	2148	1042
2149	2149	1043
2150	2150	1044
2151	2151	1045
2152	2152	1046
2153	2153	1047
2154	2154	1048
2155	2155	1049
2156	2156	1050
2157	2157	1051
2158	2158	1052
2159	2159	1053
2160	2160	1054
2161	2161	1055
2162	2162	1056
2163	2163	1057
2164	2164	1058
2165	2165	1059
2166	2166	1060
2167	2167	1061
2168	2168	1062
2169	2169	1063
2170	2170	1064 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2171	2171	Page 39
2172	2172	(c) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the
2173	2173	petitioner or petitioners must also file a sworn statement
2174	2174	that is a full accounting of all disbursements paid in the
2175	2175	adoption.
2176	2176	(d) Under penalty of perjury, the adoptive parents and
2177	2177	the parent or parents surrendering the adoptee for adoption,
2178	2178	prior to the entry of the final judgment of adoption, shall
2179	2179	sign affidavits stating that no monies or other things of
2180	2180	value have been paid or received in exchange for the consent
2181	2181	or relinquishment of the minor for adoption. In addition to
2182	2182	any penalties for perjury, the payment or receipt of money in
2183	2183	violation of this section shall be punished as set forth in
2184	2184	Section 26-10E-33.
2185	2185	§26-10E-23
2186	2186	(a) Upon the filing of a pleading or a motion by a
2187	2187	party contesting the adoption, or upon transfer of a contested
2188	2188	case pursuant to Section 26-10E-3, the court shall forthwith
2189	2189	set the matter for a contested hearing to determine each of
2190	2190	the following:
2191	2191	(1) Whether the best interests of the adoptee will be
2192	2192	served by the adoption.
2193	2193	(2) Whether the adoptee is available for adoption by
2194	2194	each petitioner and whether each petitioner qualifies to adopt
2195	2195	an adoptee within the requirements of this chapter.
2196	2196	(3) Whether all necessary express consent, implied
2197	2197	consent, or relinquishment to the adoption have been given
2198	2198	and, if so, are valid.
2199	2199	(4) Whether an express consent or relinquishment has
2200	2200	1065
2201	2201	1066
2202	2202	1067
2203	2203	1068
2204	2204	1069
2205	2205	1070
2206	2206	1071
2207	2207	1072
2208	2208	1073
2209	2209	1074
2210	2210	1075
2211	2211	1076
2212	2212	1077
2213	2213	1078
2214	2214	1079
2215	2215	1080
2216	2216	1081
2217	2217	1082
2218	2218	1083
2219	2219	1084
2220	2220	1085
2221	2221	1086
2222	2222	1087
2223	2223	1088
2224	2224	1089
2225	2225	1090
2226	2226	1091
2227	2227	1092 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2228	2228	Page 40
2229	2229	been or may be withdrawn.
2230	2230	(b) The court shall give at least 14 days of notice of
2231	2231	the contested hearing by United States mail to all parties who
2232	2232	have appeared before the court, unless notice has been waived
2233	2233	in writing. The party contesting the adoption and each
2234	2234	petitioner shall be present at the contested hearing. A
2235	2235	guardian ad litem shall appear and represent the interests of
2236	2236	the adoptee. Any contestant who is a mentally incapacitated
2237	2237	person or a minor shall also be represented by a guardian ad
2238	2238	litem in addition to any counsel retained by the contestant.
2239	2239	(c) The court may continue the hearing from time to
2240	2240	time to permit notice to all parties, or to permit further
2241	2241	discovery, observation, investigation, or consideration of any
2242	2242	fact or circumstance affecting the granting or denial of the
2243	2243	adoption petition. The court may order the investigator
2244	2244	appointed under Section 26-10E-19, or a court representative
2245	2245	to investigate allegations underlying the contest or the
2246	2246	whereabouts of any person entitled to notice of the
2247	2247	proceeding.
2248	2248	(d) After hearing evidence at a contested hearing, the
2249	2249	court shall decide the contest as soon as practicable. If it
2250	2250	is determined by the court that the adoption petition should
2251	2251	be denied, the court shall either transfer the case to the
2252	2252	appropriate juvenile court pursuant to Section 26-10E-3 for
2253	2253	the limited purpose of considering termination of parental
2254	2254	rights or it shall enter a final judgment denying the
2255	2255	adoption. Otherwise, the court shall enter a final judgment
2256	2256	denying the contest and, subject to any post judgment motions
2257	2257	1093
2258	2258	1094
2259	2259	1095
2260	2260	1096
2261	2261	1097
2262	2262	1098
2263	2263	1099
2264	2264	1100
2265	2265	1101
2266	2266	1102
2267	2267	1103
2268	2268	1104
2269	2269	1105
2270	2270	1106
2271	2271	1107
2272	2272	1108
2273	2273	1109
2274	2274	1110
2275	2275	1111
2276	2276	1112
2277	2277	1113
2278	2278	1114
2279	2279	1115
2280	2280	1116
2281	2281	1117
2282	2282	1118
2283	2283	1119
2284	2284	1120 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2285	2285	Page 41
2286	2286	and appellate proceedings, the probate court shall proceed as
2287	2287	provided in Section 26-10E-24. The entry of a final judgment
2288	2288	denying a contest terminates the status of the contestant as a
2289	2289	party to the adoption proceedings and terminates the
2290	2290	contestant's right to notice of further adoption proceedings.
2291	2291	(e) At the contested-case hearing, the court shall
2292	2292	consider any motion of the petitioner or petitioners to obtain
2293	2293	reimbursement for all reasonable medical and living expenses
2294	2294	incidental to the care and well-being of the adoptee for the
2295	2295	time the adoptee resided with the petitioner or petitioners.
2296	2296	If the adoption is denied, the probate court, unless just
2297	2297	cause is shown otherwise by the contestant, shall order such
2298	2298	reimbursement.
2299	2299	(f)(1) Following the entry of a final judgment denying
2300	2300	an adoption contest, the court shall enter a temporary custody
2301	2301	order determining each of the following:
2302	2302	a. Whether it is in the best interests of the minor
2303	2303	child for the petitioner or petitioners to retain custody of
2304	2304	the minor child or for the minor child to be returned to the
2305	2305	person or agency with legal custody of the minor child prior
2306	2306	to the filing of the petition.
2307	2307	b. Whether a written report should be sent to the
2308	2308	county Department of Human Resources pursuant to Chapter 14 of
2309	2309	Title 26 for a further determination concerning custody.
2310	2310	(2) The custody determination shall remain in effect
2311	2311	only until another court of competent jurisdiction enters a
2312	2312	custodial order regarding the minor child.
2313	2313	(g) Upon denial of a contest, the court, unless just
2314	2314	1121
2315	2315	1122
2316	2316	1123
2317	2317	1124
2318	2318	1125
2319	2319	1126
2320	2320	1127
2321	2321	1128
2322	2322	1129
2323	2323	1130
2324	2324	1131
2325	2325	1132
2326	2326	1133
2327	2327	1134
2328	2328	1135
2329	2329	1136
2330	2330	1137
2331	2331	1138
2332	2332	1139
2333	2333	1140
2334	2334	1141
2335	2335	1142
2336	2336	1143
2337	2337	1144
2338	2338	1145
2339	2339	1146
2340	2340	1147
2341	2341	1148 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2342	2342	Page 42
2343	2343	cause is shown otherwise by the contestant, shall issue an
2344	2344	order for reimbursement to the petitioner or petitioners of
2345	2345	the legal costs incurred by each petitioner incidental to the
2346	2346	contest.
2347	2347	§26-10E-24
2348	2348	(a) Once the petition for adoption and any necessary
2349	2349	accompanying documentation has been filed, the court shall set
2350	2350	a dispositional hearing to take place as soon as practicable,
2351	2351	but no later than 120 days after the filing. Upon good cause
2352	2352	shown, the court may extend the time for the dispositional
2353	2353	hearing.
2354	2354	(b) At the dispositional hearing, the court shall
2355	2355	approve the adoption if it finds, based on clear and
2356	2356	convincing evidence, all of the following:
2357	2357	(1) The adoptee has been in the actual physical custody
2358	2358	of the petitioner or petitioners for a period of 60 days,
2359	2359	unless for good cause shown, this requirement is waived by the
2360	2360	court.
2361	2361	(2) All necessary consents, relinquishments,
2362	2362	terminations, or waivers have been obtained and, if
2363	2363	appropriate, filed with the court.
2364	2364	(3) All documentation required pursuant to Section
2365	2365	26-10E-19 has been filed with the court, unless excluded under
2366	2366	Sections 26-10E-26 and 26-10E-27.
2367	2367	(4) Service of the notice of pendency of the adoption
2368	2368	proceeding has been made or dispensed with as to all persons
2369	2369	entitled to receive notice under Section 26-10E-17.
2370	2370	(5) All contests brought under Section 26-10E-23 have
2371	2371	1149
2372	2372	1150
2373	2373	1151
2374	2374	1152
2375	2375	1153
2376	2376	1154
2377	2377	1155
2378	2378	1156
2379	2379	1157
2380	2380	1158
2381	2381	1159
2382	2382	1160
2383	2383	1161
2384	2384	1162
2385	2385	1163
2386	2386	1164
2387	2387	1165
2388	2388	1166
2389	2389	1167
2390	2390	1168
2391	2391	1169
2392	2392	1170
2393	2393	1171
2394	2394	1172
2395	2395	1173
2396	2396	1174
2397	2397	1175
2398	2398	1176 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2399	2399	Page 43
2400	2400	been resolved in favor of the petitioner or petitioners.
2401	2401	(6) Each petitioner is a suitable adoptive parent and
2402	2402	desires to establish a parent and child relationship between
2403	2403	himself or herself and the adoptee.
2404	2404	(7) That the best interests of the adoptee are served
2405	2405	by the adoption.
2406	2406	(8) That each petitioner has been cleared through each
2407	2407	of the following background checks:
2408	2408	a. The Adam Walsh Act, U.S. Public Law 109-248,
2409	2409	including each of the following:
2410	2410	1. State and federal criminal history.
2411	2411	2. Child abuse and neglect history.
2412	2412	3. Sex Offender Registry history.
2413	2413	b. Child support payment history.
2414	2414	(9) A sworn statement of full accounting of
2415	2415	disbursements pursuant to Section 26-10E-23, if applicable,
2416	2416	has been filed.
2417	2417	(10) All other requirements of this chapter have been
2418	2418	met.
2419	2419	(c) The court shall enter its finding in a written
2420	2420	final judgment of adoption, which shall also include the new
2421	2421	name of the adoptee after adoption and shall not include any
2422	2422	other name by which the adoptee has been known or any names of
2423	2423	the former parent. The final judgment of adoption shall
2424	2424	further order that, from the date of the entry of judgment,
2425	2425	the adoptee shall be the child of the petitioner or
2426	2426	petitioners, and that the adoptee shall be accorded the status
2427	2427	set forth in Section 26-10E-28.
2428	2428	1177
2429	2429	1178
2430	2430	1179
2431	2431	1180
2432	2432	1181
2433	2433	1182
2434	2434	1183
2435	2435	1184
2436	2436	1185
2437	2437	1186
2438	2438	1187
2439	2439	1188
2440	2440	1189
2441	2441	1190
2442	2442	1191
2443	2443	1192
2444	2444	1193
2445	2445	1194
2446	2446	1195
2447	2447	1196
2448	2448	1197
2449	2449	1198
2450	2450	1199
2451	2451	1200
2452	2452	1201
2453	2453	1202
2454	2454	1203
2455	2455	1204 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2456	2456	Page 44
2457	2457	§26-10E-25
2458	2458	(a)(1) For the purposes of this chapter, a "final
2459	2459	judgment" is a judgment in which one of the following is true:
2460	2460	a. The court adjudicates whether an express consent or
2461	2461	relinquishment has been withdrawn pursuant to Section
2462	2462	26-10E-14.
2463	2463	b. The court adjudicates a contest to an adoption
2464	2464	pursuant to Section 26-10E-3 or Section 26-10E-23.
2465	2465	c. A juvenile court terminates the parental rights of a
2466	2466	parent to the adoptee pursuant to Section 26-10E-3 and Section
2467	2467	26-10E-23(d).
2468	2468	d. The court grants or denies the petition for
2469	2469	adoption.
2470	2470	(2) A final judgment under this chapter shall be
2471	2471	entered in accordance with Rule 58 of the Alabama Rules of
2472	2472	Civil Procedure.
2473	2473	(b) A party may file a post judgment motion challenging
2474	2474	any final judgment entered under this chapter. Any post
2475	2475	judgment motion must be filed within 14 days of the entry of
2476	2476	final judgment and no post judgment motion may remain pending
2477	2477	for more than 14 days, at which time it shall be deemed denied
2478	2478	by operation of law.
2479	2479	(c) A party may appeal any final judgment entered by a
2480	2480	court under this chapter. An appeal may be made to the Alabama
2481	2481	Court of Civil Appeals by the proper filing of a notice of
2482	2482	appeal with the clerk of the court entering the final judgment
2483	2483	within 14 days of the entry of the final judgment, subject to
2484	2484	Rule 4(a)(3) of the Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure and
2485	2485	1205
2486	2486	1206
2487	2487	1207
2488	2488	1208
2489	2489	1209
2490	2490	1210
2491	2491	1211
2492	2492	1212
2493	2493	1213
2494	2494	1214
2495	2495	1215
2496	2496	1216
2497	2497	1217
2498	2498	1218
2499	2499	1219
2500	2500	1220
2501	2501	1221
2502	2502	1222
2503	2503	1223
2504	2504	1224
2505	2505	1225
2506	2506	1226
2507	2507	1227
2508	2508	1228
2509	2509	1229
2510	2510	1230
2511	2511	1231
2512	2512	1232 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2513	2513	Page 45
2514	2514	Rule 77(d) of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.
2515	2515	(d) An appeal from any judgment of adoption entered
2516	2516	under this chapter shall have priority in all courts and shall
2517	2517	have precedence over all other matters, except for other
2518	2518	matters that have been given priority by specific statutory
2519	2519	provision or rule of court. All appeals shall comply with the
2520	2520	Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure.
2521	2521	(e) The court from which the appeal is taken shall
2522	2522	enter an order concerning the custody of the adoptee pending
2523	2523	appeal. Once the certificate of judgment has been issued by
2524	2524	the appellate court, the custody of the adoptee shall remain
2525	2525	subject to the custody determination made by the court unless
2526	2526	vacated or modified by the appellate court on appeal or unless
2527	2527	vacated or modified by the court that made the determination
2528	2528	or the court that assumed jurisdiction over the custody of the
2529	2529	adoptee pursuant to Section 26-10E-24.
2530	2530	(f) A final judgment of adoption may not be
2531	2531	collaterally attacked more than one year after the entry of
2532	2532	final judgment of adoption, except for in the following
2533	2533	situations:
2534	2534	(1) Fraud relating to the adoption proceedings.
2535	2535	(2) The adoptee has been kidnapped.
2536	2536	(3) An adoptive parent subsequent to the final judgment
2537	2537	of adoption has been convicted of a sexual offense, as
2538	2538	provided in Section 15-20A-5, involving the adoptee.
2539	2539	§26-10E-26
2540	2540	A stepparent of the adoptee may petition for adoption
2541	2541	of an adoptee under this chapter, except that:
2542	2542	1233
2543	2543	1234
2544	2544	1235
2545	2545	1236
2546	2546	1237
2547	2547	1238
2548	2548	1239
2549	2549	1240
2550	2550	1241
2551	2551	1242
2552	2552	1243
2553	2553	1244
2554	2554	1245
2555	2555	1246
2556	2556	1247
2557	2557	1248
2558	2558	1249
2559	2559	1250
2560	2560	1251
2561	2561	1252
2562	2562	1253
2563	2563	1254
2564	2564	1255
2565	2565	1256
2566	2566	1257
2567	2567	1258
2568	2568	1259
2569	2569	1260 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2570	2570	Page 46
2571	2571	(1) Before the entry of the final judgment, the adoptee
2572	2572	must have resided for a period of one year with the stepparent
2573	2573	petitioner.
2574	2574	(2) An investigation shall be conducted to determine
2575	2575	the suitability of the stepparent petitioner and the home in
2576	2576	which the adoptee will reside, and the report of the
2577	2577	investigation, which shall include the information required by
2578	2578	subdivisions 26-10E-19(a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(14), and which
2579	2579	may include other information required by Section 26-10E-19(a)
2580	2580	as directed by the court, shall be filed with the court no
2581	2581	later than within 30 days of the date of the filing of the
2582	2582	petition.
2583	2583	(3) No report of fees and charges under Section
2584	2584	26-10E-22 shall be made unless ordered by the court.
2585	2585	§26-10E-27
2586	2586	Subject to Section 26-10E-5, a grandfather, a
2587	2587	grandmother, a great-grandfather, a great-grandmother, a
2588	2588	great-uncle, a great-aunt, a brother, a half-brother, a
2589	2589	sister, a half-sister, an aunt, or an uncle of the first
2590	2590	degree and their respective spouses, if any, may adopt a minor
2591	2591	grandchild, a minor great-grandchild, a minor great-niece, a
2592	2592	minor great-nephew, a minor brother, a minor half-brother, a
2593	2593	minor sister, a minor half-sister, a minor nephew, a minor
2594	2594	niece, according to the provisions of this chapter, except
2595	2595	that:
2596	2596	(1) Before the final judgment of adoption is entered,
2597	2597	the adoptee must have resided for a period of one year with
2598	2598	the petitioner or petitioners.
2599	2599	1261
2600	2600	1262
2601	2601	1263
2602	2602	1264
2603	2603	1265
2604	2604	1266
2605	2605	1267
2606	2606	1268
2607	2607	1269
2608	2608	1270
2609	2609	1271
2610	2610	1272
2611	2611	1273
2612	2612	1274
2613	2613	1275
2614	2614	1276
2615	2615	1277
2616	2616	1278
2617	2617	1279
2618	2618	1280
2619	2619	1281
2620	2620	1282
2621	2621	1283
2622	2622	1284
2623	2623	1285
2624	2624	1286
2625	2625	1287
2626	2626	1288 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2627	2627	Page 47
2628	2628	(2) An investigation shall be conducted to determine
2629	2629	the suitability of each petitioner and the home in which the
2630	2630	adoptee will reside, and the report of the investigation,
2631	2631	which shall include the information required by subdivisions
2632	2632	26-10E-19(a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(14), and which may include
2633	2633	other information required by Section 26-10E-19(a) as directed
2634	2634	by the court, shall be filed with the court no later than 30
2635	2635	days of the date of the filing of the petition.
2636	2636	(3) No report of fees and charges under Section
2637	2637	26-10E-22 shall be made unless ordered by the court.
2638	2638	§26-10E-28
2639	2639	(a) The adoptee shall take the name designated by the
2640	2640	petitioner or petitioners; provided, however, that if the
2641	2641	adoptee is 14 years of age or older, the adoptee may elect to
2642	2642	retain his or her current legal name, unless the court
2643	2643	determines that the adoptee lacks the mental capacity to
2644	2644	consent. After entry of the final judgment of adoption, the
2645	2645	adoptee shall be treated as the legal child of the adoptive
2646	2646	parent or parents and shall have all rights and be subject to
2647	2647	all the duties arising from that relation, including the
2648	2648	rights of inheritance through the intestacy laws of the state
2649	2649	pursuant to Section 43-8-48.
2650	2650	(b) Upon the entry of the final judgment of adoption,
2651	2651	the biological or legal parents of the adoptee, except for the
2652	2652	spouse of an adoptive stepparent, are relieved of all parental
2653	2653	rights and responsibility for the adoptee and will have no
2654	2654	parental rights over the adoptee. Upon the final judgment of
2655	2655	adoption, the adoptee loses all rights of inheritance under
2656	2656	1289
2657	2657	1290
2658	2658	1291
2659	2659	1292
2660	2660	1293
2661	2661	1294
2662	2662	1295
2663	2663	1296
2664	2664	1297
2665	2665	1298
2666	2666	1299
2667	2667	1300
2668	2668	1301
2669	2669	1302
2670	2670	1303
2671	2671	1304
2672	2672	1305
2673	2673	1306
2674	2674	1307
2675	2675	1308
2676	2676	1309
2677	2677	1310
2678	2678	1311
2679	2679	1312
2680	2680	1313
2681	2681	1314
2682	2682	1315
2683	2683	1316 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2684	2684	Page 48
2685	2685	the laws of intestacy pursuant to Section 43-8-48, from or
2686	2686	through the biological or legal parents of the adoptee, except
2687	2687	for a biological or legal parent who is the spouse of the
2688	2688	adopting parent.
2689	2689	§26-10E-29
2690	2690	(a) A final judgment of adoption automatically vacates
2691	2691	any judgment or order providing a grandparent visitation with
2692	2692	an adoptee, unless the adoptee has been adopted pursuant to
2693	2693	Section 26-10E-26 or Section 26-10E-27.
2694	2694	(b) In an adoption case proceeding under Section
2695	2695	26-10E-26 or Section 26-10E-27, pre-adoption or post-adoption
2696	2696	visitation rights may be granted, maintained, or modified by
2697	2697	the court at any time before or after the final judgment of
2698	2698	adoption is entered if it is in the best interests of the
2699	2699	adoptee.
2700	2700	(c) In the case of a stepparent adoption under Section
2701	2701	26-10E-26, no visitation rights may be granted, maintained, or
2702	2702	modified over the objection of the spouse of the adoptive
2703	2703	stepparent absent compliance with Section 30-3-4.2. Otherwise,
2704	2704	Section 30-3-4.2 shall not apply in a case involving an
2705	2705	adoptee but shall be determined based upon the best interests
2706	2706	of the adoptee.
2707	2707	(d) An order or judgment regarding grandparent
2708	2708	visitation made in a case under this section may only be
2709	2709	vacated or modified by the court that entered the order or
2710	2710	judgment.
2711	2711	§26-10E-30
2712	2712	(a) The records in adoption proceedings shall be open
2713	2713	1317
2714	2714	1318
2715	2715	1319
2716	2716	1320
2717	2717	1321
2718	2718	1322
2719	2719	1323
2720	2720	1324
2721	2721	1325
2722	2722	1326
2723	2723	1327
2724	2724	1328
2725	2725	1329
2726	2726	1330
2727	2727	1331
2728	2728	1332
2729	2729	1333
2730	2730	1334
2731	2731	1335
2732	2732	1336
2733	2733	1337
2734	2734	1338
2735	2735	1339
2736	2736	1340
2737	2737	1341
2738	2738	1342
2739	2739	1343
2740	2740	1344 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2741	2741	Page 49
2742	2742	to inspection only to each petitioner or his or her attorney,
2743	2743	the investigator appointed under Section 26-10E-19, any
2744	2744	guardian ad litem appointed for the adoptee under Section
2745	2745	26-10E-21, and any attorney retained by or appointed to
2746	2746	represent the adoptee. These records shall be open to other
2747	2747	persons only upon order of court for good cause shown.
2748	2748	(b) All hearings in adoption proceedings shall be
2749	2749	confidential and shall be held in closed court without
2750	2750	admittance of any individual other than the parties and their
2751	2751	counsel, except with leave of court.
2752	2752	(c) Upon entry of the final judgment of adoption, all
2753	2753	papers, pleadings, and other documents pertaining to the
2754	2754	adoption shall be sealed, kept as a permanent record of the
2755	2755	court, and withheld from inspection, except as otherwise
2756	2756	provided in this section and in Section 22-9A-12(c). No
2757	2757	individual shall have access to such records except upon order
2758	2758	of the court in which the final judgment of adoption was
2759	2759	entered for good cause shown, except as provided in Section
2760	2760	22-9A-12(c).
2761	2761	(d) When the court enters a final judgment of adoption,
2762	2762	all licensed agencies or individuals shall send a sealed
2763	2763	information summary sheet and the non-identifying information
2764	2764	referred to in subsection (g) in a separate summary sheet to
2765	2765	the Department of Human Resources. All of the following
2766	2766	information shall be included:
2767	2767	(1) The birth name and adoptive name of the adoptee.
2768	2768	(2) The date and place of birth of the adoptee, except
2769	2769	in the case of abandonment.
2770	2770	1345
2771	2771	1346
2772	2772	1347
2773	2773	1348
2774	2774	1349
2775	2775	1350
2776	2776	1351
2777	2777	1352
2778	2778	1353
2779	2779	1354
2780	2780	1355
2781	2781	1356
2782	2782	1357
2783	2783	1358
2784	2784	1359
2785	2785	1360
2786	2786	1361
2787	2787	1362
2788	2788	1363
2789	2789	1364
2790	2790	1365
2791	2791	1366
2792	2792	1367
2793	2793	1368
2794	2794	1369
2795	2795	1370
2796	2796	1371
2797	2797	1372 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2798	2798	Page 50
2799	2799	(3) The circumstances under which the adoptee came to
2800	2800	be placed for adoption.
2801	2801	(4) The physical and mental condition of the adoptee,
2802	2802	insofar as this can be determined by the aid of competent
2803	2803	medical authority.
2804	2804	(5) The name and last known address, dates of birth,
2805	2805	and Social Security numbers, if known, of the biological
2806	2806	parents of the adoptee.
2807	2807	(6) The age of the biological parents at the adoptee's
2808	2808	birth.
2809	2809	(7) The nationality, ethnic background, race, and
2810	2810	religious preference of the biological parents of the adoptee.
2811	2811	(8) The educational level of the biological parents of
2812	2812	the adoptee.
2813	2813	(9) Any pre-adoptive brother or sister relationships of
2814	2814	the adoptee.
2815	2815	(10) Whether the identity and location of the
2816	2816	biological father of the adoptee is known or ascertainable.
2817	2817	(e) The Department of Human Resources and the
2818	2818	investigating agency's adoption records must be kept for a
2819	2819	minimum term of 75 years. If a licensed child placing agency
2820	2820	ceases to operate in Alabama, all adoption records of the
2821	2821	agency, including those of the adoptee, the biological family,
2822	2822	and the adoptive family, shall be transferred to the
2823	2823	department.
2824	2824	(f) Except as otherwise provided in this section and in
2825	2825	Section 22-9A-12(c), all files of the investigating office or
2826	2826	agency appointed by the court under Section 26-10E-19 shall be
2827	2827	1373
2828	2828	1374
2829	2829	1375
2830	2830	1376
2831	2831	1377
2832	2832	1378
2833	2833	1379
2834	2834	1380
2835	2835	1381
2836	2836	1382
2837	2837	1383
2838	2838	1384
2839	2839	1385
2840	2840	1386
2841	2841	1387
2842	2842	1388
2843	2843	1389
2844	2844	1390
2845	2845	1391
2846	2846	1392
2847	2847	1393
2848	2848	1394
2849	2849	1395
2850	2850	1396
2851	2851	1397
2852	2852	1398
2853	2853	1399
2854	2854	1400 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2855	2855	Page 51
2856	2856	confidential and shall be withheld from inspection except upon
2857	2857	order of the court for good cause shown.
2858	2858	(g) Notwithstanding subsection (f), the Department of
2859	2859	Human Resources or the licensed investigating agency appointed
2860	2860	by the court pursuant to Section 26-10E-19(b) and (c), shall
2861	2861	furnish, upon request, to the petitioner or petitioners, the
2862	2862	biological parents, or an adoptee 19 years of age or older,
2863	2863	non-identifying information which shall be limited to the
2864	2864	following:
2865	2865	(1) The health and medical histories of the adoptee's
2866	2866	biological parents.
2867	2867	(2) The health and medical history of the adoptee.
2868	2868	(3) The adoptee's general family background, including
2869	2869	ancestral information, without name references or geographical
2870	2870	designations.
2871	2871	(4) Physical descriptions of the adoptee's biological
2872	2872	parents.
2873	2873	(5) The length of time the adoptee was in the care and
2874	2874	custody of anyone other than the petitioner.
2875	2875	(6) The circumstances under which the adoptee came to
2876	2876	be placed for adoption.
2877	2877	(h) Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if
2878	2878	either the legal mother or the putative or legal father before
2879	2879	the adoption has given written consent under oath to
2880	2880	disclosure of identifying information that is not otherwise
2881	2881	provided in this section and in Section 22-9A-12(c), the
2882	2882	Department of Human Resources or a licensed child placing
2883	2883	agency shall release the identifying information.
2884	2884	1401
2885	2885	1402
2886	2886	1403
2887	2887	1404
2888	2888	1405
2889	2889	1406
2890	2890	1407
2891	2891	1408
2892	2892	1409
2893	2893	1410
2894	2894	1411
2895	2895	1412
2896	2896	1413
2897	2897	1414
2898	2898	1415
2899	2899	1416
2900	2900	1417
2901	2901	1418
2902	2902	1419
2903	2903	1420
2904	2904	1421
2905	2905	1422
2906	2906	1423
2907	2907	1424
2908	2908	1425
2909	2909	1426
2910	2910	1427
2911	2911	1428 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2912	2912	Page 52
2913	2913	(i) If the court finds that any person has a compelling
2914	2914	need for non-identifying information not otherwise available
2915	2915	under subsection (e) which can only be obtained through
2916	2916	contact with the adoptee, the adoptee's parents, the putative
2917	2917	father or the legal father of the adoptee before the adoption,
2918	2918	or the adoptee's adoptive parents, the court shall direct the
2919	2919	agency or a mutually agreed upon intermediary, to furnish the
2920	2920	information or to establish contact with the adoptee, the
2921	2921	adoptee's biological parents, the putative or legal father of
2922	2922	the adoptee before the adoption, or the adoptive parents of
2923	2923	the adoptee in order to obtain the information needed without
2924	2924	disclosure of identifying information to or about the
2925	2925	applicant. The information then shall be filed with the court
2926	2926	and released to the applicant within the discretion of the
2927	2927	court. However, the identity and whereabouts of any
2928	2928	individuals contacted shall remain confidential.
2929	2929	(j) Notwithstanding any subsection of this section to
2930	2930	the contrary, when an adoptee reaches 19 years of age, he or
2931	2931	she may petition the court for the disclosure of identifying
2932	2932	information which is not otherwise provided for in this
2933	2933	section or in Section 22-9A-12(c) if a former parent has not
2934	2934	previously given consent under subsection (h). The court shall
2935	2935	direct an intermediary to contact the former parents to
2936	2936	determine if they will consent to the release of identifying
2937	2937	information. If the former parent or parents consent to the
2938	2938	release of identifying information the court shall so direct.
2939	2939	If the former parent or parents are deceased, cannot be found,
2940	2940	or do not consent to the release of identifying information,
2941	2941	1429
2942	2942	1430
2943	2943	1431
2944	2944	1432
2945	2945	1433
2946	2946	1434
2947	2947	1435
2948	2948	1436
2949	2949	1437
2950	2950	1438
2951	2951	1439
2952	2952	1440
2953	2953	1441
2954	2954	1442
2955	2955	1443
2956	2956	1444
2957	2957	1445
2958	2958	1446
2959	2959	1447
2960	2960	1448
2961	2961	1449
2962	2962	1450
2963	2963	1451
2964	2964	1452
2965	2965	1453
2966	2966	1454
2967	2967	1455
2968	2968	1456 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
2969	2969	Page 53
2970	2970	the court shall weigh the interest and rights of all the
2971	2971	parties and determine if the identifying information should be
2972	2972	released without the consent of the former parent.
2973	2973	(k) The court shall have the jurisdiction to issue any
2974	2974	orders deemed necessary to protect the confidentiality of the
2975	2975	adoption or adoption proceedings, including, but not limited
2976	2976	to, any protective order or injunction to prevent or limit the
2977	2977	dissemination of any information contained in confidential or
2978	2978	sealed records or any other information identifying the
2979	2979	adoptee, the parties, or the witnesses in an adoption
2980	2980	proceeding.
2981	2981	§26-10E-31
2982	2982	(a) Within 10 days of the final judgment being entered,
2983	2983	the judge or the clerk of the court shall send a copy of the
2984	2984	certified final judgment of adoption to the Department of
2985	2985	Human Resources electronically or by United States mail and
2986	2986	shall send a copy of the certified final judgment of adoption
2987	2987	to the Office of Vital Statistics electronically or by United
2988	2988	States mail with the report of adoption in the format
2989	2989	developed by the Office of Vital Statistics.
2990	2990	(b) Upon receipt of a copy of a certified final
2991	2991	judgment of adoption from the judge or the clerk of the court
2992	2992	for an individual born in this state, the Office of Vital
2993	2993	Statistics shall prepare a new record of birth reflecting the
2994	2994	registrant's new name and the name of each adoptive parent as
2995	2995	contained in the final judgment and report of adoption. The
2996	2996	Office of Vital Statistics shall then place the evidence of
2997	2997	adoption along with the original certificate of birth in a
2998	2998	1457
2999	2999	1458
3000	3000	1459
3001	3001	1460
3002	3002	1461
3003	3003	1462
3004	3004	1463
3005	3005	1464
3006	3006	1465
3007	3007	1466
3008	3008	1467
3009	3009	1468
3010	3010	1469
3011	3011	1470
3012	3012	1471
3013	3013	1472
3014	3014	1473
3015	3015	1474
3016	3016	1475
3017	3017	1476
3018	3018	1477
3019	3019	1478
3020	3020	1479
3021	3021	1480
3022	3022	1481
3023	3023	1482
3024	3024	1483
3025	3025	1484 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3026	3026	Page 54
3027	3027	sealed file. A Certificate of Foreign Birth and sealed file
3028	3028	shall, upon request, be created for a foreign-born individual
3029	3029	adopted in a court in this state as provided in Section
3030	3030	22-9A-12(i).
3031	3031	(c) The new certificate of birth will be prepared on
3032	3032	the form or in the format prescribed by the Office of Vital
3033	3033	Statistics following the requirements in Section 22-9A-12,
3034	3034	Section 22-9A-19, and Title 420 of the Alabama Administrative
3035	3035	Code, or any other rule adopted by the State Board of Health.
3036	3036	(d) There shall be no more than two parents listed on a
3037	3037	new or amended birth certificate. If two parents are
3038	3038	designated in the final judgment of adoption, those
3039	3039	individuals are required to be married to each other at the
3040	3040	time the final judgment of adoption is entered.
3041	3041	(e) A new certificate of birth shall be prepared by the
3042	3042	Office of Vital Statistics in accordance with the current laws
3043	3043	and rules of this state following a final judgment of adoption
3044	3044	being entered in another state, the District of Columbia, a
3045	3045	territory of the United States, or a foreign country.
3046	3046	(f) Except as otherwise provided by Section
3047	3047	22-9A-12(c), after the new birth certificate has been filed,
3048	3048	the original birth certificate and the evidence of adoption
3049	3049	are not subject to inspection except upon order of a court of
3050	3050	competent jurisdiction for good cause shown.
3051	3051	§26-10E-32
3052	3052	Only a parent, a parent of a deceased parent, or a
3053	3053	relative of the degree of relationship specified in Section
3054	3054	26-10E-27, the State Department of Human Resources, a licensed
3055	3055	1485
3056	3056	1486
3057	3057	1487
3058	3058	1488
3059	3059	1489
3060	3060	1490
3061	3061	1491
3062	3062	1492
3063	3063	1493
3064	3064	1494
3065	3065	1495
3066	3066	1496
3067	3067	1497
3068	3068	1498
3069	3069	1499
3070	3070	1500
3071	3071	1501
3072	3072	1502
3073	3073	1503
3074	3074	1504
3075	3075	1505
3076	3076	1506
3077	3077	1507
3078	3078	1508
3079	3079	1509
3080	3080	1510
3081	3081	1511
3082	3082	1512 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3083	3083	Page 55
3084	3084	child placing agency, or an agency approved by the department
3085	3085	may place, or facilitate the placement of, a minor for
3086	3086	adoption. No person or entity other than the department or a
3087	3087	licensed child placing agency shall engage in the business of
3088	3088	placing, or facilitating the placement of, minors for
3089	3089	adoption. Any individual or entity making more than two
3090	3090	separate and distinctive placements of minors who are
3091	3091	unrelated to the petitioner or petitioners for adoption within
3092	3092	the preceding 12-month period shall be deemed to be in the
3093	3093	business of placing minors for adoption. Any other person who
3094	3094	places, or facilitates the placement of, a minor for adoption
3095	3095	is, upon the first conviction, guilty of a Class A misdemeanor
3096	3096	and, upon subsequent convictions, is guilty of a Class C
3097	3097	felony. This section does not intend to make it unlawful for
3098	3098	any person not engaged in the business of placing, or
3099	3099	facilitating the placement of, minors for adoption to give
3100	3100	advice and assistance to a biological parent in an adoption.
3101	3101	In making adoption arrangements, potential adopting parents
3102	3102	and biological parents are entitled to the advice and
3103	3103	assistance of legal counsel. Surrogate motherhood is not
3104	3104	intended to be covered by this section.
3105	3105	§26-10E-33
3106	3106	(a) It shall be a Class A misdemeanor for any
3107	3107	individual or agency to offer to pay money or anything of
3108	3108	value to a parent for the placement for adoption, for the
3109	3109	consent to an adoption, or for cooperation in the completion
3110	3110	of an adoption of his or her minor child. It shall be a Class
3111	3111	C felony for any individual or agency to pay money or anything
3112	3112	1513
3113	3113	1514
3114	3114	1515
3115	3115	1516
3116	3116	1517
3117	3117	1518
3118	3118	1519
3119	3119	1520
3120	3120	1521
3121	3121	1522
3122	3122	1523
3123	3123	1524
3124	3124	1525
3125	3125	1526
3126	3126	1527
3127	3127	1528
3128	3128	1529
3129	3129	1530
3130	3130	1531
3131	3131	1532
3132	3132	1533
3133	3133	1534
3134	3134	1535
3135	3135	1536
3136	3136	1537
3137	3137	1538
3138	3138	1539
3139	3139	1540 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3140	3140	Page 56
3141	3141	of value to a parent for the placement of a child for
3142	3142	adoption, for the consent to an adoption, or for cooperation
3143	3143	in the completion of an adoption of his or her minor child.
3144	3144	This section does not make it unlawful, as provided in Section
3145	3145	26-10E-22, to pay the maternity-connected expenses, medical or
3146	3146	hospital expenses, and necessary living expenses of the mother
3147	3147	preceding and during pregnancy-related incapacity, as long as
3148	3148	the payment is not contingent upon placement of the minor
3149	3149	child for adoption, consent to the adoption, or cooperation in
3150	3150	the completion of the adoption.
3151	3151	(b) It shall be a Class C felony for any individual or
3152	3152	agency to receive any money or other thing of value for
3153	3153	placing, assisting, or arranging for the placement of a minor
3154	3154	for adoption. This section is not intended to prohibit
3155	3155	legitimate charges for medical, legal, prenatal, or other
3156	3156	professional services.
3157	3157	(c) Surrogate motherhood is not intended to be covered
3158	3158	by this section.
3159	3159	§26-10E-34
3160	3160	Minors may be brought into Alabama for the purpose of
3161	3161	adoption as provided in Sections 38-7-15 and 44-2-20, except
3162	3162	that investigations shall be made as provided in Sections
3163	3163	26-10E-19 and Section 44-2-20.
3164	3164	§26-10E-35
3165	3165	(a) It shall be unlawful for any individual,
3166	3166	organization, corporation, partnership, hospital, association,
3167	3167	any other business entity, or agency to advertise by word of
3168	3168	mouth or through print, electronic media, including social
3169	3169	1541
3170	3170	1542
3171	3171	1543
3172	3172	1544
3173	3173	1545
3174	3174	1546
3175	3175	1547
3176	3176	1548
3177	3177	1549
3178	3178	1550
3179	3179	1551
3180	3180	1552
3181	3181	1553
3182	3182	1554
3183	3183	1555
3184	3184	1556
3185	3185	1557
3186	3186	1558
3187	3187	1559
3188	3188	1560
3189	3189	1561
3190	3190	1562
3191	3191	1563
3192	3192	1564
3193	3193	1565
3194	3194	1566
3195	3195	1567
3196	3196	1568 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3197	3197	Page 57
3198	3198	media, telephonically, or otherwise that they will take any of
3199	3199	the following actions:
3200	3200	(1) Adopt minors or assist in the adoption of minors in
3201	3201	violation of this chapter.
3202	3202	(2) Place or assist in the placement of minors in
3203	3203	foster homes, group homes, or institutions in violation of
3204	3204	this chapter.
3205	3205	(3) Pay or offer money or anything of value to the
3206	3206	parent or parents of a minor in violation of Sections
3207	3207	26-10E-32 or 26-10E-33.
3208	3208	(b) Any violation of this section shall be punished as
3209	3209	a Class A misdemeanor.
3210	3210	§26-10E-36
3211	3211	Except as expressly provided within this chapter, the
3212	3212	Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure and the Alabama Rules of
3213	3213	Evidence apply in any case brought under this chapter,
3214	3214	including cases transferred to a juvenile court.
3215	3215	§26-10E-37
3216	3216	(a) Final judgments of adoptions entered into before
3217	3217	January 1, 2024, are valid and remain in effect as they
3218	3218	existed prior to the enactment of this chapter except that
3219	3219	proceedings after final judgments of adoption entered into
3220	3220	before the enactment of this chapter will be governed under
3221	3221	this chapter.
3222	3222	(b) This chapter shall apply to all proceedings related
3223	3223	to minor adoptions that have not been commenced as of December
3224	3224	31, 2023.
3225	3225	Section 2. Chapter 10F is added to Title 26 of the Code
3226	3226	1569
3227	3227	1570
3228	3228	1571
3229	3229	1572
3230	3230	1573
3231	3231	1574
3232	3232	1575
3233	3233	1576
3234	3234	1577
3235	3235	1578
3236	3236	1579
3237	3237	1580
3238	3238	1581
3239	3239	1582
3240	3240	1583
3241	3241	1584
3242	3242	1585
3243	3243	1586
3244	3244	1587
3245	3245	1588
3246	3246	1589
3247	3247	1590
3248	3248	1591
3249	3249	1592
3250	3250	1593
3251	3251	1594
3252	3252	1595
3253	3253	1596 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3254	3254	Page 58
3255	3255	of Alabama 1975, to read as follows:
3256	3256	§26-10F-1
3257	3257	This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the
3258	3258	Alabama Adult Adoption Code.
3259	3259	§26-10F-2
3260	3260	The definitions in the Alabama Minor Adoption Code,
3261	3261	provided in Section 26-10E-2, are applicable for this chapter
3262	3262	and have the same meaning whenever used in this chapter except
3263	3263	where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
3264	3264	§26-10F-3
3265	3265	The probate court shall have original and exclusive
3266	3266	jurisdiction over proceedings brought under this chapter.
3267	3267	§26-10F-4
3268	3268	(a) The petitioner or petitioners, or the adoptee, must
3269	3269	be a resident of the State of Alabama.
3270	3270	(b) All petitions must be filed in the probate court of
3271	3271	either of the following counties:
3272	3272	(1) The county in which the adoptee resides, or is in
3273	3273	military service.
3274	3274	(2) The county in which the petitioner or petitioners
3275	3275	resides or is in military service.
3276	3276	§26-10F-5
3277	3277	(a) Any adult individual may petition the court to
3278	3278	adopt an adult as provided in this chapter.
3279	3279	(b) Any married couple, both of whom are adults, may
3280	3280	jointly petition the court to adopt an adult as provided in
3281	3281	this chapter. An adult who is married may not petition to
3282	3282	adopt another adult unless the petition for adoption is filed
3283	3283	1597
3284	3284	1598
3285	3285	1599
3286	3286	1600
3287	3287	1601
3288	3288	1602
3289	3289	1603
3290	3290	1604
3291	3291	1605
3292	3292	1606
3293	3293	1607
3294	3294	1608
3295	3295	1609
3296	3296	1610
3297	3297	1611
3298	3298	1612
3299	3299	1613
3300	3300	1614
3301	3301	1615
3302	3302	1616
3303	3303	1617
3304	3304	1618
3305	3305	1619
3306	3306	1620
3307	3307	1621
3308	3308	1622
3309	3309	1623
3310	3310	1624 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3311	3311	Page 59
3312	3312	jointly by his or her spouse, unless that spouse is the
3313	3313	biological or legal parent of the adult sought to be adopted.
3314	3314	(c) Unless the adoptee is biologically related to the
3315	3315	petitioner or petitioners, any petitioner seeking to adopt
3316	3316	another adult must be at least 10 years older than the
3317	3317	adoptee, unless waived by the court for good cause shown.
3318	3318	(d) An adult may only be adopted as provided in this
3319	3319	chapter and for the establishment of a legal parent-child
3320	3320	relationship.
3321	3321	§26-10F-6
3322	3322	An adult may be adopted under any of the following
3323	3323	conditions:
3324	3324	(1) He or she is an individual with a total and
3325	3325	permanent disability.
3326	3326	(2) He or she has been determined to be an
3327	3327	incapacitated person as defined in Section 26-2A-20.
3328	3328	(3) He or she consents in writing to be adopted and is
3329	3329	related in any degree of kinship to the petitioner or
3330	3330	petitioners, as defined by the intestacy laws of Alabama, or
3331	3331	is a stepchild or former stepchild by marriage.
3332	3332	(4) He or she had been in a de facto parent-child
3333	3333	relationship with each petitioner during the minority of the
3334	3334	adoptee for at least one year preceding the filing of the
3335	3335	petition and each petitioner has maintained a continuous
3336	3336	familial relationship with the adoptee. This provision shall
3337	3337	include, but is not limited to, a foster parent relationship
3338	3338	with the adoptee.
3339	3339	§26-10F-7
3340	3340	1625
3341	3341	1626
3342	3342	1627
3343	3343	1628
3344	3344	1629
3345	3345	1630
3346	3346	1631
3347	3347	1632
3348	3348	1633
3349	3349	1634
3350	3350	1635
3351	3351	1636
3352	3352	1637
3353	3353	1638
3354	3354	1639
3355	3355	1640
3356	3356	1641
3357	3357	1642
3358	3358	1643
3359	3359	1644
3360	3360	1645
3361	3361	1646
3362	3362	1647
3363	3363	1648
3364	3364	1649
3365	3365	1650
3366	3366	1651
3367	3367	1652 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3368	3368	Page 60
3369	3369	(a) A consent shall be in a sworn writing and signed by
3370	3370	the person consenting.
3371	3371	(1) Only the sworn, written consent of a legally
3372	3372	competent adoptee shall be required.
3373	3373	(2) If the adoptee has been adjudicated incompetent or
3374	3374	declared to be an incapacitated person as defined in Section
3375	3375	26-2A-20, the sworn written consent of any legal guardian or
3376	3376	conservator of the adoptee and a court appointed guardian ad
3377	3377	litem shall be required. The decision to withhold consent by
3378	3378	the guardian ad litem may be overruled by the court as
3379	3379	provided in Section 26-10F-10.
3380	3380	(3) If the court has reason to believe that the adoptee
3381	3381	may be unable to give consent, the court shall appoint a
3382	3382	guardian ad litem who shall investigate the adoptee's
3383	3383	circumstances and that guardian ad litem shall give or
3384	3384	withhold consent. The decision to withhold consent by the
3385	3385	guardian ad litem may be overruled by the court as provided in
3386	3386	Section 26-10F-10.
3387	3387	(4) If the adoptee is married and is incapacitated or
3388	3388	otherwise unable to consent, the sworn written consent of his
3389	3389	or her spouse is also required.
3390	3390	(b) A motion to withdraw consent may be filed at any
3391	3391	time before the dispositional hearing on the adoption
3392	3392	petition.
3393	3393	§26-10F-8
3394	3394	(a) A petition for adoption shall be filed with the
3395	3395	clerk of the court. The petition shall be signed and verified
3396	3396	by each petitioner and shall allege all of the following:
3397	3397	1653
3398	3398	1654
3399	3399	1655
3400	3400	1656
3401	3401	1657
3402	3402	1658
3403	3403	1659
3404	3404	1660
3405	3405	1661
3406	3406	1662
3407	3407	1663
3408	3408	1664
3409	3409	1665
3410	3410	1666
3411	3411	1667
3412	3412	1668
3413	3413	1669
3414	3414	1670
3415	3415	1671
3416	3416	1672
3417	3417	1673
3418	3418	1674
3419	3419	1675
3420	3420	1676
3421	3421	1677
3422	3422	1678
3423	3423	1679
3424	3424	1680 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3425	3425	Page 61
3426	3426	(1) The full name, date and place of birth, and place
3427	3427	of residence of each petitioner and, if married, the place and
3428	3428	date of their marriage.
3429	3429	(2) The date and place of birth of the adoptee.
3430	3430	(3) The birth name of the adoptee, any other names by
3431	3431	which the adoptee has been known, and the adoptee's proposed
3432	3432	new name.
3433	3433	(4) Where the adoptee is residing at the time of the
3434	3434	filing of the petition.
3435	3435	(5) That each petitioner desires to establish a legal
3436	3436	parent and child relationship between himself or herself and
3437	3437	the adoptee and that he or she is a fit and proper person able
3438	3438	to care for and provide for the adoptee's welfare.
3439	3439	(6) The existence and nature of any prior court orders
3440	3440	known to the petitioner which could affect the adoption of the
3441	3441	adoptee.
3442	3442	(7) The relationship, if any, of each petitioner to the
3443	3443	adoptee.
3444	3444	(8) The name and address of any agency, if any,
3445	3445	providing care for the adoptee.
3446	3446	(9) The names and addresses of all individuals known to
3447	3447	the petitioner at the time of filing from whom consents or
3448	3448	notice to the adoption are required.
3449	3449	(10) The name and address of the spouse of the adoptee,
3450	3450	if any.
3451	3451	(b) The caption of a petition for adult adoption shall
3452	3452	be styled "In the Matter of the Adoption Petition of _____."
3453	3453	Each petitioner shall be designated in the caption. There
3454	3454	1681
3455	3455	1682
3456	3456	1683
3457	3457	1684
3458	3458	1685
3459	3459	1686
3460	3460	1687
3461	3461	1688
3462	3462	1689
3463	3463	1690
3464	3464	1691
3465	3465	1692
3466	3466	1693
3467	3467	1694
3468	3468	1695
3469	3469	1696
3470	3470	1697
3471	3471	1698
3472	3472	1699
3473	3473	1700
3474	3474	1701
3475	3475	1702
3476	3476	1703
3477	3477	1704
3478	3478	1705
3479	3479	1706
3480	3480	1707
3481	3481	1708 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3482	3482	Page 62
3483	3483	shall be no more than two petitioners.
3484	3484	(c) The petition shall be accompanied by each of the
3485	3485	following:
3486	3486	(1) A certified copy of the adoptee's birth
3487	3487	certificate.
3488	3488	(2) Certified documentation which establishes proof of
3489	3489	a marriage of the adoptee, if applicable.
3490	3490	(3) Certified documentation which establishes proof of
3491	3491	a marriage of the petitioners, if applicable.
3492	3492	(4) Should common law marriage be alleged, any
3493	3493	documentation upon which the petitioners rely to prove the
3494	3494	existence of the common law marriage.
3495	3495	§26-10F-9
3496	3496	(a) Unless service has been previously waived, notice
3497	3497	of pendency of the adoption proceeding shall be served by the
3498	3498	petitioner on each of the following:
3499	3499	(1) Any individual whose consent is required by Section
3500	3500	26-10F-7.
3501	3501	(2) Any legally appointed custodian or guardian of the
3502	3502	adoptee.
3503	3503	(3) The spouse of the adoptee, if the adoptee is
3504	3504	married.
3505	3505	(4) Any biological or legal parent of the adoptee.
3506	3506	(5) Any individual or entity known to any petitioner as
3507	3507	currently having physical custody of the adoptee, if the
3508	3508	adoptee is alleged to be an individual with a total and
3509	3509	permanent disability or alleged to be an incapacitated person.
3510	3510	(6) The Department of Human Resources.
3511	3511	1709
3512	3512	1710
3513	3513	1711
3514	3514	1712
3515	3515	1713
3516	3516	1714
3517	3517	1715
3518	3518	1716
3519	3519	1717
3520	3520	1718
3521	3521	1719
3522	3522	1720
3523	3523	1721
3524	3524	1722
3525	3525	1723
3526	3526	1724
3527	3527	1725
3528	3528	1726
3529	3529	1727
3530	3530	1728
3531	3531	1729
3532	3532	1730
3533	3533	1731
3534	3534	1732
3535	3535	1733
3536	3536	1734
3537	3537	1735
3538	3538	1736 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3539	3539	Page 63
3540	3540	(7) Any other individual designated by the court.
3541	3541	(b) A copy of the notice for adoption shall be served
3542	3542	upon those individuals or agencies provided in subsection (a).
3543	3543	The form for the notice shall be developed jointly by the
3544	3544	Administrative Office of Courts and the Alabama Law Institute.
3545	3545	(c) Service of the notice shall be made in the
3546	3546	following manner:
3547	3547	(1) Service of process shall be made in accordance with
3548	3548	the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. If the identity or
3549	3549	whereabouts of the person whose consent is required under this
3550	3550	chapter is unknown, the court shall then issue an order
3551	3551	providing for service by publication, by posting, or by any
3552	3552	other substituted service.
3553	3553	(2) As to the agency or individual referred to in
3554	3554	subsection (a)(6), notice shall be by certified mail.
3555	3555	(3) As to any other person or entity for whom notice is
3556	3556	required under subsection (a)(7), service by certified mail,
3557	3557	return receipt requested, shall be sufficient. If such service
3558	3558	cannot be completed after two attempts, the court shall issue
3559	3559	an order providing for service by publication, by posting, or
3560	3560	by any other authorized substituted service.
3561	3561	(d) The notice required by this section may be waived
3562	3562	in writing by the person or entity entitled to receive notice.
3563	3563	(e) Proof of service of the notice on all persons for
3564	3564	whom notice is required by this section must be filed with the
3565	3565	court before the dispositional hearing provided in Section
3566	3566	26-10F-13.
3567	3567	§26-10F-10
3568	3568	1737
3569	3569	1738
3570	3570	1739
3571	3571	1740
3572	3572	1741
3573	3573	1742
3574	3574	1743
3575	3575	1744
3576	3576	1745
3577	3577	1746
3578	3578	1747
3579	3579	1748
3580	3580	1749
3581	3581	1750
3582	3582	1751
3583	3583	1752
3584	3584	1753
3585	3585	1754
3586	3586	1755
3587	3587	1756
3588	3588	1757
3589	3589	1758
3590	3590	1759
3591	3591	1760
3592	3592	1761
3593	3593	1762
3594	3594	1763
3595	3595	1764 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3596	3596	Page 64
3597	3597	(a) All consents must be acknowledged in open court,
3598	3598	unless waived by the court for good cause shown.
3599	3599	(b) If a guardian ad litem has been appointed for the
3600	3600	adult sought to be adopted, the following procedures apply:
3601	3601	(1) The guardian ad litem shall file with the court a
3602	3602	written report stating the basis for the decision to give or
3603	3603	withhold consent.
3604	3604	(2) The court shall hold a hearing to allow all parties
3605	3605	to present evidence as to whether it would be in the best
3606	3606	interests of the adult person to be adopted by the petitioner
3607	3607	or petitioners.
3608	3608	(c) If the court determines upon clear and convincing
3609	3609	evidence that the decision to withhold consent by the guardian
3610	3610	ad litem is arbitrary and is not in the best interests of the
3611	3611	incapacitated person, it may proceed to make any other orders
3612	3612	it deems necessary for the adult person's welfare, including
3613	3613	granting the petition for adoption.
3614	3614	§26-10F-11
3615	3615	(a) No investigation shall be required in any adult
3616	3616	adoption unless ordered by the court to determine if the best
3617	3617	interests of the adoptee will be served by granting the
3618	3618	petition for adoption. The court shall determine the scope of
3619	3619	the investigation.
3620	3620	(b) If the probate court in which a petition for the
3621	3621	adoption of an adult is filed considers an investigation to be
3622	3622	a necessity, the probate court may order either of the
3623	3623	following:
3624	3624	(1) The type of investigation that is conducted in an
3625	3625	1765
3626	3626	1766
3627	3627	1767
3628	3628	1768
3629	3629	1769
3630	3630	1770
3631	3631	1771
3632	3632	1772
3633	3633	1773
3634	3634	1774
3635	3635	1775
3636	3636	1776
3637	3637	1777
3638	3638	1778
3639	3639	1779
3640	3640	1780
3641	3641	1781
3642	3642	1782
3643	3643	1783
3644	3644	1784
3645	3645	1785
3646	3646	1786
3647	3647	1787
3648	3648	1788
3649	3649	1789
3650	3650	1790
3651	3651	1791
3652	3652	1792 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3653	3653	Page 65
3654	3654	adoption of a minor adoptee, pursuant to 26-10E-19.
3655	3655	(2) Any other inquiry which the court considers
3656	3656	advisable.
3657	3657	(c) Any investigation ordered by the court will be
3658	3658	performed by the Department of Human Resources or anyone
3659	3659	appointed by the court who the court deems as qualified and
3660	3660	appropriate based on the scope of the investigation.
3661	3661	§26-10F-12
3662	3662	(a) Upon the filing of a pleading or a motion by a
3663	3663	party contesting the adoption, the probate court may not
3664	3664	transfer the case or any part of the case to another court of
3665	3665	this state, and shall forthwith set the matter for a contested
3666	3666	hearing to determine each of the following:
3667	3667	(1) Whether the best interests of the adoptee will be
3668	3668	served by the adoption.
3669	3669	(2) Whether the adoptee is available for adoption by
3670	3670	each petitioner and whether each petitioner qualifies to adopt
3671	3671	the adoptee within the requirements of this chapter.
3672	3672	(3) Whether all necessary consent has been given and,
3673	3673	if so, the validity of each consent.
3674	3674	(4) Whether an express consent has been or may be
3675	3675	withdrawn.
3676	3676	(b) The court shall give at least 14 days of notice of
3677	3677	the contested hearing by United States mail to all parties who
3678	3678	have appeared before the court unless notice has been waived
3679	3679	in writing. The party contesting the adoption and each
3680	3680	petitioner shall be present at the contested hearing. A
3681	3681	guardian ad litem shall appear and represent the interests of
3682	3682	1793
3683	3683	1794
3684	3684	1795
3685	3685	1796
3686	3686	1797
3687	3687	1798
3688	3688	1799
3689	3689	1800
3690	3690	1801
3691	3691	1802
3692	3692	1803
3693	3693	1804
3694	3694	1805
3695	3695	1806
3696	3696	1807
3697	3697	1808
3698	3698	1809
3699	3699	1810
3700	3700	1811
3701	3701	1812
3702	3702	1813
3703	3703	1814
3704	3704	1815
3705	3705	1816
3706	3706	1817
3707	3707	1818
3708	3708	1819
3709	3709	1820 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3710	3710	Page 66
3711	3711	the adoptee. Any contestant who is an incapacitated person
3712	3712	shall also be represented by a guardian ad litem in addition
3713	3713	to any counsel retained by the contestant.
3714	3714	(c) The court may continue the hearing from time to
3715	3715	time to permit notice to all parties, or to permit further
3716	3716	discovery, observation, investigation, or consideration of any
3717	3717	fact or circumstance affecting the granting or denial of the
3718	3718	adoption petition. The court may order the investigator
3719	3719	appointed under Section 26-10F-11, or a court representative
3720	3720	to investigate allegations underlying the contest or the
3721	3721	whereabouts of any person entitled to notice of the
3722	3722	proceeding.
3723	3723	(d) After hearing evidence at a contested hearing, the
3724	3724	court shall decide the contest as soon as practicable. If it
3725	3725	is determined by the court that the adoption petition should
3726	3726	be denied, the court shall enter a final judgment denying the
3727	3727	contest. The entry of a final judgment denying a contest
3728	3728	terminates the status of the contestant as a party to the
3729	3729	adoption proceedings and terminates the contestant's right to
3730	3730	notice of further adoption proceedings.
3731	3731	(e) At the contested-case hearing, the court shall
3732	3732	consider any motion of the petitioner or petitioners to obtain
3733	3733	reimbursement for all reasonable medical and living expenses
3734	3734	incidental to the care and well-being of the adoptee for the
3735	3735	time the adoptee resided with the petitioner or petitioners
3736	3736	where the adoptee is an incapacitated adult. If the adoption
3737	3737	is denied, the probate court shall, unless just cause is shown
3738	3738	otherwise by the contestant, order such reimbursement.
3739	3739	1821
3740	3740	1822
3741	3741	1823
3742	3742	1824
3743	3743	1825
3744	3744	1826
3745	3745	1827
3746	3746	1828
3747	3747	1829
3748	3748	1830
3749	3749	1831
3750	3750	1832
3751	3751	1833
3752	3752	1834
3753	3753	1835
3754	3754	1836
3755	3755	1837
3756	3756	1838
3757	3757	1839
3758	3758	1840
3759	3759	1841
3760	3760	1842
3761	3761	1843
3762	3762	1844
3763	3763	1845
3764	3764	1846
3765	3765	1847
3766	3766	1848 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3767	3767	Page 67
3768	3768	(f) Upon denial of a contest, the court, unless just
3769	3769	cause is shown otherwise by the contestant, shall issue an
3770	3770	order for reimbursement to the petitioner or petitioners of
3771	3771	the legal costs incurred by each petitioner incidental to the
3772	3772	contest.
3773	3773	§26-10F-13
3774	3774	(a) The petition for adoption shall be set for a
3775	3775	dispositional hearing within a reasonable period after the
3776	3776	filing of the petition and all necessary documents, including
3777	3777	an investigative report if ordered by the court.
3778	3778	(b) The court shall enter an order establishing a date,
3779	3779	time, and place for the hearing on the petition, and each
3780	3780	petitioner and the individual to be adopted shall appear at
3781	3781	the hearing in person. If the court determines that such
3782	3782	appearance is impossible or impractical, appearance may be
3783	3783	made by electronic means, upon good cause shown to the court.
3784	3784	(c) At the dispositional hearing, the court shall grant
3785	3785	a final judgment of adoption if it finds each of the following
3786	3786	based on clear and convincing evidence:
3787	3787	(1) The adoptee meets one of the qualifications under
3788	3788	Section 26-10F-6.
3789	3789	(2) The required consents and all other necessary
3790	3790	documents have been properly executed and have been filed with
3791	3791	the court. The necessary documents shall include, but are not
3792	3792	limited to, each of the following:
3793	3793	a. The petition for adoption.
3794	3794	b. All required consents.
3795	3795	c. Proof of service of notice on all persons required
3796	3796	1849
3797	3797	1850
3798	3798	1851
3799	3799	1852
3800	3800	1853
3801	3801	1854
3802	3802	1855
3803	3803	1856
3804	3804	1857
3805	3805	1858
3806	3806	1859
3807	3807	1860
3808	3808	1861
3809	3809	1862
3810	3810	1863
3811	3811	1864
3812	3812	1865
3813	3813	1866
3814	3814	1867
3815	3815	1868
3816	3816	1869
3817	3817	1870
3818	3818	1871
3819	3819	1872
3820	3820	1873
3821	3821	1874
3822	3822	1875
3823	3823	1876 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3824	3824	Page 68
3825	3825	to receive notice.
3826	3826	d. Marriage certificates of the petitioners and
3827	3827	adoptee, if applicable.
3828	3828	e. Copies of certified birth certificates or the
3829	3829	equivalent thereof of each petitioner and adoptee, issued
3830	3830	within six months of the filing of the petition.
3831	3831	f. The Alabama Report of Adoption Form.
3832	3832	g. Proof of incapacity or total and permanent
3833	3833	disability, if applicable.
3834	3834	h. Proof of kinship or a de facto parent and child
3835	3835	relationship pursuant to Section 26-10F-6, if applicable.
3836	3836	i. Any other documentation required by the court.
3837	3837	(3) Any contests have been resolved in favor of the
3838	3838	petitioner or petitioners.
3839	3839	(4) That each petitioner is a suitable adopting parent
3840	3840	and desires to establish a legal parent and child relationship
3841	3841	between himself or herself and the adoptee.
3842	3842	(5) That all parties, to the best of their ability,
3843	3843	understand the significance and ramifications of the adoption
3844	3844	and are not acting under duress, coercion, or undue influence.
3845	3845	(6) That the best interests of the adoptee are served
3846	3846	by the adoption and that there is no reason in the public
3847	3847	interest or otherwise why the petition should not be granted.
3848	3848	(7) That all other requirements of this chapter have
3849	3849	been met.
3850	3850	(d) If all the requirements of subsection (b) are met,
3851	3851	the court may enter its finding in a written final judgment of
3852	3852	adoption, granting the petition for adoption.
3853	3853	1877
3854	3854	1878
3855	3855	1879
3856	3856	1880
3857	3857	1881
3858	3858	1882
3859	3859	1883
3860	3860	1884
3861	3861	1885
3862	3862	1886
3863	3863	1887
3864	3864	1888
3865	3865	1889
3866	3866	1890
3867	3867	1891
3868	3868	1892
3869	3869	1893
3870	3870	1894
3871	3871	1895
3872	3872	1896
3873	3873	1897
3874	3874	1898
3875	3875	1899
3876	3876	1900
3877	3877	1901
3878	3878	1902
3879	3879	1903
3880	3880	1904 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3881	3881	Page 69
3882	3882	(e) The final judgment of adoption shall terminate the
3883	3883	parent child relationship of one or both of the legal parents
3884	3884	of the adoptee and shall order the substitution of the name of
3885	3885	each legal parent whose relationship has been terminated on
3886	3886	the amended birth certificate with the name of each
3887	3887	petitioner. There shall be no more than two individuals named
3888	3888	as petitioner.
3889	3889	(f) If the court grants the adoptee's request for a new
3890	3890	name, the adoptee's new name shall be included in the final
3891	3891	judgment of adoption and placed on the amended birth
3892	3892	certificate.
3893	3893	(g) The final judgment of adoption shall further order
3894	3894	that from the date of the judgment of adoption, the adoptee
3895	3895	shall be the child of the petitioner or petitioners, and that
3896	3896	the adoptee shall be accorded the status set forth in Section
3897	3897	26-10F-16(b).
3898	3898	(h) A final judgment of adoption may not be
3899	3899	collaterally attacked after the expiration of one year from
3900	3900	the entry of the final judgment of adoption, and after all
3901	3901	appeals, if any, except in each of the following situations:
3902	3902	(1) Fraud relating to the adoption proceedings.
3903	3903	(2) The adoptee has been kidnapped.
3904	3904	(3) An adoptive parent subsequent to the final judgment
3905	3905	of adoption has been convicted of a sexual offense, as
3906	3906	provided in Section 15-20A-5, involving the adoptee.
3907	3907	§26-10F-14
3908	3908	(a)(1) For the purposes of this chapter, a final
3909	3909	judgment is one of the following:
3910	3910	1905
3911	3911	1906
3912	3912	1907
3913	3913	1908
3914	3914	1909
3915	3915	1910
3916	3916	1911
3917	3917	1912
3918	3918	1913
3919	3919	1914
3920	3920	1915
3921	3921	1916
3922	3922	1917
3923	3923	1918
3924	3924	1919
3925	3925	1920
3926	3926	1921
3927	3927	1922
3928	3928	1923
3929	3929	1924
3930	3930	1925
3931	3931	1926
3932	3932	1927
3933	3933	1928
3934	3934	1929
3935	3935	1930
3936	3936	1931
3937	3937	1932 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3938	3938	Page 70
3939	3939	a. The court adjudicates whether a consent has been
3940	3940	withdrawn.
3941	3941	b. The court adjudicates a contest to an adoption
3942	3942	pursuant to Section 26-10F-12.
3943	3943	c. The court grants or denies the petition for
3944	3944	adoption.
3945	3945	(2) A final judgment under this chapter shall be
3946	3946	entered in accordance with Rule 58 of the Alabama Rules of
3947	3947	Civil Procedure.
3948	3948	(b) A party may file a post judgment motion challenging
3949	3949	any final judgment entered under this chapter. Any post
3950	3950	judgment motion must be filed within 14 days of the entry of
3951	3951	final judgment and no post judgment motion may remain pending
3952	3952	for more than 14 days, at which time it shall be deemed denied
3953	3953	by operation of law.
3954	3954	(c) A party may appeal any final judgment entered by a
3955	3955	court under this chapter. An appeal may be made to the Alabama
3956	3956	Court of Civil Appeals by the proper filing of a notice of
3957	3957	appeal with the clerk of the court entering the final judgment
3958	3958	within 14 days of the entry of the final judgment, subject to
3959	3959	Rule 4(a)(3) of the Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure and
3960	3960	Rule 77(d) of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.
3961	3961	§26-10F-15
3962	3962	(a) If determined to be in the best interests of the
3963	3963	adoptee or parties, the court may determine a hearing shall be
3964	3964	closed.
3965	3965	(b) Upon motion by the adoptee or parties and for good
3966	3966	cause shown, the court shall have the jurisdiction to issue
3967	3967	1933
3968	3968	1934
3969	3969	1935
3970	3970	1936
3971	3971	1937
3972	3972	1938
3973	3973	1939
3974	3974	1940
3975	3975	1941
3976	3976	1942
3977	3977	1943
3978	3978	1944
3979	3979	1945
3980	3980	1946
3981	3981	1947
3982	3982	1948
3983	3983	1949
3984	3984	1950
3985	3985	1951
3986	3986	1952
3987	3987	1953
3988	3988	1954
3989	3989	1955
3990	3990	1956
3991	3991	1957
3992	3992	1958
3993	3993	1959
3994	3994	1960 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
3995	3995	Page 71
3996	3996	any orders deemed necessary to protect the confidentiality of
3997	3997	the adoption or adoption proceedings, including, but not
3998	3998	limited to, any protective order or injunction to prevent or
3999	3999	limit the dissemination of any information contained in
4000	4000	confidential or sealed records or any other information
4001	4001	identifying the adoptee, the parties, or the witnesses in an
4002	4002	adoption proceeding. Part or all of the record may also be
4003	4003	sealed pursuant to procedure established by applicable
4004	4004	statute, rule, and existing case law.
4005	4005	(c) When the court enters a final judgment of adoption,
4006	4006	the court shall send a copy of the certified final judgment of
4007	4007	adoption to the Department of Human Resources in the manner
4008	4008	prescribed by Section 26-10F-17(a).
4009	4009	§26-10F-16
4010	4010	(a) A judgment granting a petition for adoption of an
4011	4011	adult may order a change in the name of the adoptee unless the
4012	4012	court finds that the change of name is requested for
4013	4013	fraudulent or criminal purposes; provided, however, that the
4014	4014	court may not change the name of an adoptee who is a sex
4015	4015	offender as provided in Section 15-20A-36.
4016	4016	(b) After the final judgment of adoption, the adoptee
4017	4017	shall be treated as the legal child of each adopting parent
4018	4018	and shall have all rights and be subject to all the duties
4019	4019	arising from that relation, including the right of inheritance
4020	4020	under the intestacy laws of the state pursuant to Section
4021	4021	43-8-48.
4022	4022	(c) Upon the final judgment of adoption, the biological
4023	4023	or legal parents of the adoptee, except for a biological or
4024	4024	1961
4025	4025	1962
4026	4026	1963
4027	4027	1964
4028	4028	1965
4029	4029	1966
4030	4030	1967
4031	4031	1968
4032	4032	1969
4033	4033	1970
4034	4034	1971
4035	4035	1972
4036	4036	1973
4037	4037	1974
4038	4038	1975
4039	4039	1976
4040	4040	1977
4041	4041	1978
4042	4042	1979
4043	4043	1980
4044	4044	1981
4045	4045	1982
4046	4046	1983
4047	4047	1984
4048	4048	1985
4049	4049	1986
4050	4050	1987
4051	4051	1988 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
4052	4052	Page 72
4053	4053	legal parent who is the spouse of the adopting parent, are
4054	4054	relieved of all parental rights and responsibilities for the
4055	4055	adoptee. Upon the final judgment of adoption, the adoptee
4056	4056	loses all rights of inheritance under the laws of intestacy
4057	4057	pursuant to Section 48-8-48, from or through the biological or
4058	4058	legal parents of the adoptee, except for a biological or legal
4059	4059	parent who is the spouse of the adopting parent.
4060	4060	§26-10F-17
4061	4061	(a) Within 10 days of the final judgment being entered,
4062	4062	the judge or the clerk of the court shall send a copy of the
4063	4063	certified final judgment of adoption to the Department of
4064	4064	Human Resources electronically or by United States mail and
4065	4065	shall send a copy of the certified final judgment of adoption
4066	4066	to the Office of Vital Statistics electronically or by United
4067	4067	States mail with the report of adoption in the format
4068	4068	developed by the Office of Vital Statistics.
4069	4069	(b) Upon receipt of a copy of any certified final
4070	4070	judgment of adoption from the judge or the clerk of the court
4071	4071	for an individual born in this state, the Office of Vital
4072	4072	Statistics shall prepare an amended record of birth reflecting
4073	4073	the registrant's new name and the name of each adopting parent
4074	4074	as contained in the final judgment and report of adoption. The
4075	4075	original birth certificate or evidence of adoption will not be
4076	4076	sealed unless otherwise ordered by the court granting the
4077	4077	adoption. If the court orders the documents to be sealed, the
4078	4078	adoptee may request the original birth certificate and
4079	4079	evidence of adoption as provided by Section 22-9A-12(c).
4080	4080	(c) Upon receipt of a copy of a certified final
4081	4081	1989
4082	4082	1990
4083	4083	1991
4084	4084	1992
4085	4085	1993
4086	4086	1994
4087	4087	1995
4088	4088	1996
4089	4089	1997
4090	4090	1998
4091	4091	1999
4092	4092	2000
4093	4093	2001
4094	4094	2002
4095	4095	2003
4096	4096	2004
4097	4097	2005
4098	4098	2006
4099	4099	2007
4100	4100	2008
4101	4101	2009
4102	4102	2010
4103	4103	2011
4104	4104	2012
4105	4105	2013
4106	4106	2014
4107	4107	2015
4108	4108	2016 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
4109	4109	Page 73
4110	4110	judgment of adoption from the judge or the clerk of the court
4111	4111	for a foreign-born individual adopted in a court in this
4112	4112	state, the Office of Vital Statistics, shall, upon request,
4113	4113	create a Certificate of Foreign Birth and sealed file as
4114	4114	provided in Section 22-9A-12(i).
4115	4115	§26-10F-18
4116	4116	Except as expressly provided within this chapter, the
4117	4117	Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure and the Alabama Rules of
4118	4118	Evidence apply in any case brought under this chapter.
4119	4119	§26-10F-19
4120	4120	(a) Final judgments of adoptions entered into before
4121	4121	January 1, 2024, are valid and remain in effect as they
4122	4122	existed prior to the enactment of this chapter except that
4123	4123	proceedings after final judgments of adoption entered into
4124	4124	before the enactment of this chapter will be governed under
4125	4125	this chapter.
4126	4126	(b) This chapter shall apply to all proceedings related
4127	4127	to adult adoptions that have not been commenced as of December
4128	4128	31, 2023.
4129	4129	Section 3. Section 12-15-115.1 is added to the Code of
4130	4130	Alabama 1975, to read as follows:
4131	4131	§12-15-115.1
4132	4132	Once an adoption proceeding in the juvenile court has
4133	4133	been completed, a copy of all the juvenile court records,
4134	4134	including filings and documents originally sent upon transfer
4135	4135	by the probate court, shall be forwarded to the probate court
4136	4136	from which the case was transferred. All other filings and
4137	4137	documents that are retained by the juvenile court pertaining
4138	4138	2017
4139	4139	2018
4140	4140	2019
4141	4141	2020
4142	4142	2021
4143	4143	2022
4144	4144	2023
4145	4145	2024
4146	4146	2025
4147	4147	2026
4148	4148	2027
4149	4149	2028
4150	4150	2029
4151	4151	2030
4152	4152	2031
4153	4153	2032
4154	4154	2033
4155	4155	2034
4156	4156	2035
4157	4157	2036
4158	4158	2037
4159	4159	2038
4160	4160	2039
4161	4161	2040
4162	4162	2041
4163	4163	2042
4164	4164	2043
4165	4165	2044 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
4166	4166	Page 74
4167	4167	to the adoption proceeding shall be sealed, kept as a
4168	4168	permanent record of the court, and withheld from inspection
4169	4169	except as otherwise ordered by the court for good cause shown.
4170	4170	Section 4. Section 12-15-133, Code of Alabama 1975, is
4171	4171	amended to read as follows:
4172	4172	"§12-15-133
4173	4173	(a) The following records, reports, and information
4174	4174	acquired or generated in juvenile courts concerning children
4175	4175	shall be confidential and shall not be released to any person
4176	4176	individual, department, agency, or entity, except as provided
4177	4177	elsewhere in this section:
4178	4178	(1) Juvenile legal files (,including formal documents
4179	4179	as petitions, notices, motions, legal memoranda, orders, and
4180	4180	decrees).
4181	4181	(2) Social records, including but not limited to:
4182	4182	a. Records of juvenile probation officers.
4183	4183	b. Records of the Department of Human Resources.
4184	4184	c. Records of the Department of Youth Services.
4185	4185	d. Medical records.
4186	4186	e. Psychiatric or psychological records.
4187	4187	f. Reports of preliminary inquiries and predisposition
4188	4188	studies.
4189	4189	g. Supervision records.
4190	4190	h. Birth certificates.
4191	4191	i. Individualized service plans.
4192	4192	2045
4193	4193	2046
4194	4194	2047
4195	4195	2048
4196	4196	2049
4197	4197	2050
4198	4198	2051
4199	4199	2052
4200	4200	2053
4201	4201	2054
4202	4202	2055
4203	4203	2056
4204	4204	2057
4205	4205	2058
4206	4206	2059
4207	4207	2060
4208	4208	2061
4209	4209	2062
4210	4210	2063
4211	4211	2064
4212	4212	2065
4213	4213	2066
4214	4214	2067
4215	4215	2068
4216	4216	2069 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
4217	4217	Page 75
4218	4218	j. Education records, including, but not limited to,
4219	4219	individualized education plans.
4220	4220	k. Detention records.
4221	4221	l. Demographic information that identifies a child or
4222	4222	the family of a child.
4223	4223	(3) State Criminal Justice Information System records.
4224	4224	(4) Juvenile criminal sex offender notification
4225	4225	records.
4226	4226	(b) The records, reports, and information described in
4227	4227	subsection (a) shall be filed separately from other files and
4228	4228	records of the court. The juvenile legal files described in
4229	4229	subdivision (1) of subsection (a)(1) shall be maintained in a
4230	4230	separate file from all other juvenile records, reports, and
4231	4231	information.
4232	4232	(c) Subject to applicable federal law, the records,
4233	4233	reports, and information described in subsection (a) shall be
4234	4234	open to inspection and copying only by the following, under
4235	4235	the specified circumstances:
4236	4236	(1) The judge, juvenile probation officers, and
4237	4237	professional staff assigned to serve or contracted for service
4238	4238	to the juvenile court.
4239	4239	(2) Representatives of a public or private agency or
4240	4240	department providing supervision or having legal custody of
4241	4241	the child.
4242	4242	2070
4243	4243	2071
4244	4244	2072
4245	4245	2073
4246	4246	2074
4247	4247	2075
4248	4248	2076
4249	4249	2077
4250	4250	2078
4251	4251	2079
4252	4252	2080
4253	4253	2081
4254	4254	2082
4255	4255	2083
4256	4256	2084
4257	4257	2085
4258	4258	2086
4259	4259	2087
4260	4260	2088
4261	4261	2089
4262	4262	2090
4263	4263	2091
4264	4264	2092
4265	4265	2093 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
4266	4266	Page 76
4267	4267	(3) The parent (,except when parental rights have been
4268	4268	terminated), the legal guardian of the child, and the legal
4269	4269	custodian of the child.
4270	4270	(4) The subject of the proceedings and his or her
4271	4271	counsel and guardian ad litem. As used in this section, the
4272	4272	term "counsel" means a child's attorney and an attorney for a
4273	4273	criminal defendant who was formerly a child subject to
4274	4274	proceedings in juvenile court.
4275	4275	(5) The judge, probation, prosecutor, and other
4276	4276	professional staff serving a court handling criminal cases for
4277	4277	investigating or considering youthful offender applications
4278	4278	for an individual, who, prior thereto, had been the subject of
4279	4279	proceedings in juvenile court.
4280	4280	(6) The judge, probation, and other professional staff,
4281	4281	including the prosecutor and the attorney for the defendant,
4282	4282	serving a court handling criminal cases for completing
4283	4283	sentencing standards worksheets and considering the sentence
4284	4284	upon a person an individual charged with a criminal offense
4285	4285	who, prior thereto, had been the subject of proceedings in
4286	4286	juvenile court.
4287	4287	(7) The principal of the school in which the child is
4288	4288	enrolled, or the representative of the principal, upon written
4289	4289	petition to the juvenile court setting forth the reasons why
4290	4290	the safety or welfare, or both, of the school, its students,
4291	4291	2094
4292	4292	2095
4293	4293	2096
4294	4294	2097
4295	4295	2098
4296	4296	2099
4297	4297	2100
4298	4298	2101
4299	4299	2102
4300	4300	2103
4301	4301	2104
4302	4302	2105
4303	4303	2106
4304	4304	2107
4305	4305	2108
4306	4306	2109
4307	4307	2110
4308	4308	2111
4309	4309	2112
4310	4310	2113
4311	4311	2114
4312	4312	2115
4313	4313	2116
4314	4314	2117 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
4315	4315	Page 77
4316	4316	or personnel, necessitate production of the information and
4317	4317	without which the safety and welfare of the school, its
4318	4318	students, and personnel, would be threatened; provided,
4319	4319	however, certain information concerning children adjudicated
4320	4320	delinquent of certain offenses shall be provided as set forth
4321	4321	in Section 12-15-217.
4322	4322	(8) The Alabama Sentencing Commission, as set forth in
4323	4323	Section 12-25-11.
4324	4324	(9) In any criminal proceeding, including a criminal
4325	4325	proceeding in which a person an individual is adjudicated a
4326	4326	youthful offender, as well as any juvenile proceeding pursuant
4327	4327	to Section 12-15-105, the prosecutor representing the State of
4328	4328	Alabama shall have access to all juvenile legal files
4329	4329	specified in subdivision (a)(1) on that person individual
4330	4330	regardless of the jurisdiction from which the files originate.
4331	4331	(d) Upon determining a legitimate need for access, and
4332	4332	subject to applicable federal law, the juvenile court may also
4333	4333	grant access to specific records, reports, and information to
4334	4334	a prosecutor representing the State of Alabama, department,
4335	4335	entity, or agency. The determination of legitimate need by the
4336	4336	juvenile court shall be based upon a written request filed
4337	4337	with the juvenile court stating the following:
4338	4338	(1) The reason the person individual, department,
4339	4339	entity, or agency is requesting the information.
4340	4340	2118
4341	4341	2119
4342	4342	2120
4343	4343	2121
4344	4344	2122
4345	4345	2123
4346	4346	2124
4347	4347	2125
4348	4348	2126
4349	4349	2127
4350	4350	2128
4351	4351	2129
4352	4352	2130
4353	4353	2131
4354	4354	2132
4355	4355	2133
4356	4356	2134
4357	4357	2135
4358	4358	2136
4359	4359	2137
4360	4360	2138
4361	4361	2139
4362	4362	2140
4363	4363	2141 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
4364	4364	Page 78
4365	4365	(2) The use to be made of the information.
4366	4366	(3) The names of those persons individuals or entities
4367	4367	that will have access to the information.
4368	4368	(e) Petitions, motions, juvenile court notices, or
4369	4369	dispositions shall be open to inspection and copying by the
4370	4370	victim.
4371	4371	(f) Subject to applicable confidentiality disclosure
4372	4372	and case restrictions imposed by federal or state law,
4373	4373	confidential juvenile legal files, as described in subdivision
4374	4374	(1) of subsection (a)(1), may be placed on an automated
4375	4375	information sharing system to be shared with the child's
4376	4376	counsel and guardian ad litem, prosecutors, departments,
4377	4377	agencies, or entities who are entitled to access pursuant to
4378	4378	this section.
4379	4379	(g) Except for the purposes permitted and in the manner
4380	4380	provided by this section, whoever discloses or makes use of or
4381	4381	knowingly permits the use of information identifying a child,
4382	4382	or the family of a child, who is or was under the jurisdiction
4383	4383	of the juvenile court, where this information is directly or
4384	4384	indirectly derived from the records of the juvenile court or
4385	4385	acquired in the course of official duties, upon conviction
4386	4386	thereof, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor under the
4387	4387	jurisdiction of the juvenile court and also may be subject to
4388	4388	civil sanctions. Provided, however, that nothing in this
4389	4389	2142
4390	4390	2143
4391	4391	2144
4392	4392	2145
4393	4393	2146
4394	4394	2147
4395	4395	2148
4396	4396	2149
4397	4397	2150
4398	4398	2151
4399	4399	2152
4400	4400	2153
4401	4401	2154
4402	4402	2155
4403	4403	2156
4404	4404	2157
4405	4405	2158
4406	4406	2159
4407	4407	2160
4408	4408	2161
4409	4409	2162
4410	4410	2163
4411	4411	2164
4412	4412	2165 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
4413	4413	Page 79
4414	4414	section shall be construed to prohibit or otherwise limit
4415	4415	counsel from disclosing confidential information obtained from
4416	4416	the juvenile court file of the child as needed to investigate
4417	4417	the case of the client or prepare a defense for that client,
4418	4418	provided that the disclosure is in furtherance of counsel's
4419	4419	representation of the party.
4420	4420	(h) Anytime that a child commits a violent offense and
4421	4421	is adjudicated delinquent, if that child as an adult commits
4422	4422	the same or a similar offense, the court records pertaining to
4423	4423	the juvenile offense may be used in the prosecution of the
4424	4424	adult offense.
4425	4425	(i) This section does not prohibit juvenile courts from
4426	4426	communicating with and sharing otherwise confidential
4427	4427	information with any court of this state in accordance with
4428	4428	Section 26-10E-30 that is currently handling an adoption
4429	4429	matter or has entered a final adoption judgment regarding a
4430	4430	juvenile. All records shared between the courts are to remain
4431	4431	under seal and shall not be shared with the parties or
4432	4432	released to the public. "
4433	4433	Section 5. Section 12-12-35, Code of Alabama 1975,
4434	4434	relating to the transfer of adoption proceedings, and Chapter
4435	4435	10A of Title 26, Code of Alabama 1975, commencing with Section
4436	4436	26-10A-1, relating to adoption, are repealed.
4437	4437	Section 6. Although this bill would have as its purpose
4438	4438	or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of
4439	4439	2166
4440	4440	2167
4441	4441	2168
4442	4442	2169
4443	4443	2170
4444	4444	2171
4445	4445	2172
4446	4446	2173
4447	4447	2174
4448	4448	2175
4449	4449	2176
4450	4450	2177
4451	4451	2178
4452	4452	2179
4453	4453	2180
4454	4454	2181
4455	4455	2182
4456	4456	2183
4457	4457	2184
4458	4458	2185
4459	4459	2186
4460	4460	2187
4461	4461	2188
4462	4462	2189
4463	4463	2190 SB50 INTRODUCEDSB50 INTRODUCED
4464	4464	Page 80
4465	4465	local funds, the bill is excluded from further requirements
4466	4466	and application under Section 111.05 of the Constitution of
4467	4467	Alabama of 2022, because the bill defines a new crime or
4468	4468	amends the definition of an existing crime.
4469	4469	Section 7. This act shall become effective on January
4470	4470	1, 2024, following its passage and approval by the Governor,
4471	4471	or its otherwise becoming law.
4472	4472	2191
4473	4473	2192
4474	4474	2193
4475	4475	2194
4476	4476	2195
4477	4477	2196
4478	4478	2197