Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB190 Compare Versions

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

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1	1	HB190INTRODUCED
2	2	Page 0
3	3	HB190
4	4	XNPLEZZ-1
5	5	By Representative Shaver
6	6	RFD: Judiciary
7	7	First Read: 05-Feb-25
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12	12	5 XNPLEZZ-1 02/04/2025 GP (L)lg 2025-506
13	13	Page 1
14	14	First Read: 05-Feb-25
15	15	SYNOPSIS:
16	16	Under existing law, the Alabama Minor Adoption
17	17	Code and the Alabama Adult Adoption Code provide for
18	18	adoption proceedings.
19	19	This bill would further provide for the roles of
20	20	the State Department of Human Resources and each county
21	21	department of human resources throughout the Minor
22	22	Adoption Code and the Adult Adoption Code.
23	23	This bill would revise procedures relating to
24	24	the service of notice for adoption to certain parties
25	25	and the notified parties' responses.
26	26	This bill would further provide procedures
27	27	relating to the revocation of express consent or
28	28	relinquishment for a minor adoption.
29	29	This bill would further provide for the
30	30	circumstances in which an investigation relating to a
31	31	minor adoption must occur and would further provide for
32	32	the contents, scope, and distribution of the
33	33	investigative report.
34	34	This bill would further provide procedures
35	35	relating to the adoption of a minor in permanent
36	36	custody of the State Department of Human Resources.
37	37	This bill would authorize certain parties,
38	38	including the adoptee, to petition the court for a copy
39	39	of the final judgment of adoption or the interlocutory
40	40	order of adoption in certain circumstances.
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68	68	28 HB190 INTRODUCED
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70	70	order of adoption in certain circumstances.
71	71	This bill would define the term "de facto
72	72	parent-child relationship" for purposes of an adult
73	73	adoption.
74	74	This bill would also delete duplicative language
75	75	and make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update
76	76	the existing code language to current style.
77	77	A BILL
78	78	TO BE ENTITLED
79	79	AN ACT
80	80	Relating to adoption; to amend Sections 26-10-28,
81	81	26-10C-1, 26-10E-2, 26-10E-4, 26-10E-5, 26-10E-7, 26-10E-8,
82	82	26-10E-9, 26-10E-10, 26-10E-11, 26-10E-14, 26-10E-15,
83	83	26-10E-16, 26-10E-17, 26-10E-18, 26-10E-19, 26-10E-23,
84	84	26-10E-24, 26-10E-26, 26-10E-27, 26-10E-29, 26-10E-30,
85	85	26-10E-31, 26-10E-32, 26-10E-34, 26-10F-2, 26-10F-5, 26-10F-6,
86	86	26-10F-9, 26-10F-10, 26-10F-11, 26-10F-12, 26-10F-13,
87	87	26-10F-15, 26-10F-17, 30-3-4.2, Code of Alabama 1975; to
88	88	revise the Alabama Minor Adoption Code and the Alabama Adult
89	89	Adoption Code; to revise procedures relating to the adoption
90	90	of a minor and the availability of records relating to a minor
91	91	adoption; to further provide for investigations and
92	92	investigative reports related to minor adoptions; to revise
93	93	procedures related to service of notice for a minor adoption
94	94	and an adult adoption; to further define terms; to further
95	95	provide for the role of the State Department of Human
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125	125	provide for the role of the State Department of Human
126	126	Resources; to add Section 26-10E-19.1 to the Code of Alabama
127	127	1975, relating to investigative reports; and to make
128	128	nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing
129	129	code language to current style.
130	130	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
131	131	Section 1. Sections 26-10-28, 26-10C-1, 26-10E-2,
132	132	26-10E-4, 26-10E-5, 26-10E-7, 26-10E-8, 26-10E-9, 26-10E-10,
133	133	26-10E-11, 26-10E-14, 26-10E-15, 26-10E-16, 26-10E-17,
134	134	26-10E-18, 26-10E-19, 26-10E-23, 26-10E-24, 26-10E-26,
135	135	26-10E-27, 26-10E-29, 26-10E-30, 26-10E-31, 26-10E-32,
136	136	26-10E-34, 26-10F-2, 26-10F-5, 26-10F-6, 26-10F-9, 26-10F-10,
137	137	26-10F-11, 26-10F-12, 26-10F-13, 26-10F-15, 26-10F-17, and
138	138	30-3-4.2, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as
139	139	follows:
140	140	"§26-10-28
141	141	All records regarding subsidized adoption shall be
142	142	confidential and may be disclosed only in accordance with
143	143	Sections 26-10A-31, 26-10A-32 26-10E-30, 26-10E-31, 26-10F-15,
144	144	26-10F-17, 38-2-6(8), and 38-7-13."
145	145	"§26-10C-1
146	146	(a) The State Department of Human Resources shall
147	147	establish a putative father registry which shall record the
148	148	names, Social Security number, date of birth, and addresses of
149	149	the following:
150	150	(1) Any person individual adjudicated by a court of
151	151	this state to be the father of a child born out of wedlock.
152	152	(2) Any person individual who has filed with the
153	153	registry before or after the birth of a child born out of
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183	183	registry before or after the birth of a child born out of
184	184	wedlock, a notice of intent to claim paternity of the child ,
185	185	which includes the information required in subsection (c)
186	186	below.
187	187	(3) Any person individual adjudicated by a court of
188	188	another state or territory of the United States to be the
189	189	father of a child born out of wedlock, where a certified copy
190	190	of the court order has been filed with the registry by the
191	191	person individual or any other person individual.
192	192	(4) Any person individaul who has filed with the
193	193	registry an instrument acknowledging paternity pursuant to
194	194	Sections 26-11-1 to 26-11-3, inclusive.
195	195	(b) The clerk of the court which that determines a man
196	196	to be the father of a child born out of wedlock shall
197	197	immediately notify the State Department of Human Resources of
198	198	the determination of paternity and include therein the
199	199	information required under subsection (c) below.
200	200	(c)(1) An individual A person filing a notice of intent
201	201	to claim paternity of a child or an acknowledgment of
202	202	paternity shall include all of the following:
203	203	a.(1) The father's name, Social Security number, date
204	204	of birth, and current address.
205	205	b.(2) The mother's name, including all other names
206	206	known to the putative father that which have been used by the
207	207	mother, Social Security number, date of birth, and address, if
208	208	known.
209	209	c.(3) The father's current income and financial
210	210	information by attaching a child support obligation income
211	211	statement/affidavit form to be prescribed by regulations rules
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241	241	statement/affidavit form to be prescribed by regulations rules
242	242	of the department.
243	243	d.(4) The child's name and place of birth, if known.
244	244	e.(5) The possible date or dates of sexual intercourse.
245	245	(2) The person individual filing shall notify the
246	246	registry of any change of address pursuant to the procedures
247	247	prescribed by regulation rule of the state department. The
248	248	registration must shall be on a form prescribed by the state
249	249	department and signed by the putative father and notarized.
250	250	(3) The putative father may file his notice of intent
251	251	to claim paternity prior to the birth of the child.
252	252	(d) A person An individual who has filed a notice of
253	253	intent to claim paternity may at any time revoke a notice of
254	254	intent to claim paternity previously filed and, upon. Upon
255	255	receipt of the notification by the registry, the revoked
256	256	notice of intent to claim paternity shall be deemed a nullity
257	257	nunc pro tunc.
258	258	(e) An unrevoked notice of intent to claim paternity of
259	259	a child may be introduced in evidence by any party, other than
260	260	the person individual who filed the notice, in any proceeding
261	261	in which the fact may be relevant.
262	262	(f) The State Department of Human Resources shall, upon
263	263	request, provide the names and addresses of persons
264	264	individuals listed with the registry to any court. The
265	265	information shall may not be divulged to any other person
266	266	except upon order of a court for good cause shown. Immediately
267	267	after receiving notice pursuant to Section 26-10E-17 of the
268	268	pendency of any adoption proceeding wherein the proposed
269	269	adoptee is a child born within 300 days of the date of any
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299	299	adoptee is a child born within 300 days of the date of any
300	300	sexual intercourse listed in the registry and to the same
301	301	biological mother listed in the registry, the State The
302	302	Department of Human Resources shall further after receiving
303	303	notice pursuant to Section 26-10A-17 of the pendency of any
304	304	adoption proceeding wherein the proposed adoptee is a child
305	305	born within 300 days of the date or dates of sexual
306	306	intercourse listed in the registry and to the same biological
307	307	mother listed in the registry, immediately send a copy of the
308	308	notice of intent to claim paternity to the court handling the
309	309	adoption. When the court handling the adoption receives the
310	310	notice of the intent to claim paternity, that court shall
311	311	forthwith give notice of the pendency of the adoption
312	312	proceeding to the putative father listed in such the notice of
313	313	intent to claim paternity and at the address therein listed,
314	314	and additionally notify the biological mother that the
315	315	putative father has registered in conformity with the putative
316	316	father registry.
317	317	(g) The State Department of Human Resources shall
318	318	create a form titled "Notice of Intent to Claim Paternity" to
319	319	be used when a person an individual files notice of intent to
320	320	claim paternity, and which. The form shall include the
321	321	information required under subsection (c), the name of the
322	322	mother who has given birth or may give birth to a child born
323	323	out of wedlock, and the possible date or dates of sexual
324	324	intercourse.
325	325	(h) The registry, except as provided by subsection (f),
326	326	shall be kept confidential and not open for public inspection.
327	327	(i)(1) Any person individual who claims to be the
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357	357	(i)(1) Any person individual who claims to be the
358	358	natural father of a child and fails to file his notice of
359	359	intent to claim paternity pursuant to subsection (a) prior to
360	360	or within 30 days of the birth of a child born out of wedlock ,
361	361	shall be deemed to have given an irrevocable implied consent
362	362	in any adoption proceeding.
363	363	(2) This subsection shall be the exclusive procedure
364	364	available for any person individual who claims to be the
365	365	natural father of a child born out of wedlock on or after
366	366	January 1, 1997, to entitle that person to notice of and the
367	367	opportunity to contest any adoption proceeding filed and
368	368	pending on or after January 1, 1997.
369	369	(j)(1) A person An individual who knowingly or
370	370	intentionally registers false information under this section
371	371	commits a Class A misdemeanor.
372	372	(2) A person An individual who knowingly or
373	373	intentionally releases confidential information in violation
374	374	of this section commits a Class A misdemeanor. However, it is
375	375	a defense under this subsection if the State Department of
376	376	Human Resources releases confidential information while
377	377	acting:
378	378	a. In good faith .; and
379	379	b. With reasonable diligence."
380	380	"§26-10E-2
381	381	For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms
382	382	have the following meanings:
383	383	(1) ABANDONMENT. Any of the following:
384	384	a. The voluntary and intentional failure or refusal,
385	385	without good cause or excuse, to claim the rights of a parent.
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415	415	without good cause or excuse, to claim the rights of a parent.
416	416	b. The voluntary and intentional failure or refusal,
417	417	without good cause or excuse, to perform the duties of a
418	418	parent.
419	419	c. The voluntary and intentional relinquishment,
420	420	without good cause or excuse, of the custody of a minor by a
421	421	parent.
422	422	d. The voluntary and intentional withholding from the
423	423	minor by the parent, without good cause or excuse, of his or
424	424	her presence, care, love, protection, support, maintenance, or
425	425	display of filial affection.
426	426	(2) ADOPTEE. The individual being adopted.
427	427	(3) ADOPTION. The judicial act of creating the legal
428	428	relationship of parent and minor which previously did not
429	429	legally exist.
430	430	(4) ADULT. An individual who is 19 years of age or
431	431	older, who has reached the majority age in the state in which
432	432	he or she resides, or who is otherwise deemed an adult by
433	433	statute or by court order.
434	434	(5) CONSENT. Voluntarily agreeing to adoption.
435	435	(6) COURT REPRESENTATIVE. An individual appointed in an
436	436	adoption proceeding trained in law, health care, counseling,
437	437	social work, or other specialty, who is an officer, employee,
438	438	or special appointee of the court, and has no personal
439	439	interest in the proceeding.
440	440	(7) GRANDPARENT. The parent of a parent, whether the
441	441	relationship is created biologically or by adoption.
442	442	(8) LEGAL FATHER. A male individual whose legal status
443	443	as the father of the adoptee has been established through
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473	473	as the father of the adoptee has been established through
474	474	adoption, legitimation, adjudication, acknowledgment,
475	475	presumption, or operation of law under the laws of this or any
476	476	other state, and whose parental rights have not been
477	477	terminated.
478	478	(9) LEGAL MOTHER. A female individual whose legal
479	479	status as the mother of the adoptee has been established
480	480	through adoption, legitimation, adjudication, acknowledgment,
481	481	presumption, or operation of law under the laws of this or any
482	482	other state, and whose parental rights have not been
483	483	terminated.
484	484	(10) LICENSED CHILD PLACING CHILD-PLACING AGENCY. Any
485	485	adoption agency that is licensed under the provisions of the
486	486	Child Care Act of 1971, Chapter 7 of Title 38, or any adoption
487	487	agency approved by the State Department of Human Resources.
488	488	(11) MARRIED COUPLE. Two individuals who are currently
489	489	lawfully married in accordance with the laws of this state or
490	490	any other jurisdiction.
491	491	(12) MINOR. An individual 18 years of age or younger or
492	492	an individual who is not an adult under the law in the
493	493	jurisdiction where he or she resides.
494	494	(13) MINOR PARENT. An individual 18 years of age or
495	495	younger or an individual who is not an adult under the law in
496	496	the jurisdiction where he or she resides who is the biological
497	497	or legal parent of the adoptee.
498	498	(14) PARENT. The biological or legal mother or father
499	499	of the adopted minor.
500	500	(15) PARTY. Any individual who appears before the court
501	501	for the purposes of petitioning for adoption, consenting to an
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531	531	for the purposes of petitioning for adoption, consenting to an
532	532	adoption, withdrawing a consent to adoption, contesting an
533	533	adoption, securing grandparent visitation rights to an
534	534	adoptee, or setting aside all or part of a final judgment of
535	535	adoption, or any other person deemed to be a party by the
536	536	court. This term does not include the adoptee.
537	537	(16) PUTATIVE FATHER. The alleged or reputed biological
538	538	father of the adoptee, unless the issue of paternity has been
539	539	resolved adversely to that individual by final judgment of a
540	540	court of competent jurisdiction.
541	541	(17) RELINQUISHMENT. Giving up the legal and physical
542	542	custody of a minor to a licensed child placing child-placing
543	543	agency or the State Department of Human Resources for the sole
544	544	purpose of placement for adoption.
545	545	(18) SPOUSE. The individual who is lawfully married to
546	546	the petitioner or the legal father or the legal mother at the
547	547	time of the adoption proceedings.
548	548	(19) STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES or STATE
549	549	DEPARTMENT. The State Department of Human Resources, as
550	550	established in Section 38-2-1.
551	551	(20) STEPPARENT. An individual who is the spouse or
552	552	surviving spouse of a legal mother or legal father of a minor,
553	553	but who is not a legal parent of the minor and who is not a
554	554	former spouse by reason of divorce or annulment of the
555	555	marriage."
556	556	"§26-10E-4
557	557	(a) A petition for adoption may shall be filed in the
558	558	probate court in any of the following counties:
559	559	(1) The county in which the adoptee is born, resides,
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589	589	(1) The county in which the adoptee is born, resides,
590	590	or has a legal domicile.
591	591	(2) The county in which a petitioner resides or is in
592	592	military service.
593	593	(3) The county in which an office of any agency or
594	594	institution operating under the laws of this state having
595	595	guardianship or custody of an adoptee is located.
596	596	(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a petition for
597	597	adoption may be filed in the probate court in another county
598	598	if all of the following apply:
599	599	(1) The petitioner shows good cause on the record as to
600	600	why the probate court selected should exercise venue over the
601	601	adoption case.
602	602	(2) No party objects to the probate court selected
603	603	within 30 days of service of the petition.
604	604	(3) The probate court selected determines in writing
605	605	that it is in the best interests interest of the adoptee for
606	606	the probate court to exercise venue over the adoption case."
607	607	"§26-10E-5
608	608	(a) An unmarried individual or a married couple may
609	609	petition to adopt a minor.
610	610	(b) An unmarried couple may not adopt a minor.
611	611	(c) A group of more than two individuals may not adopt
612	612	a minor.
613	613	(d) If a petitioner is married, the petition for
614	614	adoption shall be filed jointly by both spouses; provided,
615	615	however, that when the minor is a stepchild of the party
616	616	seeking to adopt, the petition shall be filed in the name of
617	617	the stepparent alone.
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647	647	the stepparent alone.
648	648	(e) Each petitioner seeking to adopt a minor must shall
649	649	be all of the following:
650	650	(1) An adult.
651	651	(2) At least 10 years older than the adoptee, unless
652	652	either of the following are true:
653	653	a. The petitioner is a stepparent or relative and files
654	654	for adoption pursuant to Sections 26-10E-26 or 26-10E-27.
655	655	b. The probate court finds, based on evidence in the
656	656	record, that the adoption is in the best interests interest of
657	657	the adoptee.
658	658	(3) A bona fide resident of this state at the filing of
659	659	the petition for adoption or a bona fide resident of the
660	660	receiving state when the adoptee was born in this state and
661	661	was placed in compliance with Section 38-7-15 and Section
662	662	44-2-20 relating to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of
663	663	Children.
664	664	(f) No rule or regulation of any state department shall
665	665	prevent an adoption by a petitioner solely because the
666	666	petitioner is employed outside the home. The State Department
667	667	of Human Resources may require the petitioner to remain in the
668	668	home with an adoptee for a reasonable period of time, not to
669	669	exceed 60 calendar days, when the state department determines
670	670	that the adoptee requires the presence of the petitioner to
671	671	ensure his or her adjustment.
672	672	(g) No rule or regulation of any state department shall
673	673	prevent an adoption by an unmarried petitioner solely because
674	674	the petitioner is unmarried. No rule or regulation of any
675	675	state department shall prevent an adoption solely because the
676	676	309
677	677	310
678	678	311
679	679	312
680	680	313
681	681	314
682	682	315
683	683	316
684	684	317
685	685	318
686	686	319
687	687	320
688	688	321
689	689	322
690	690	323
691	691	324
692	692	325
693	693	326
694	694	327
695	695	328
696	696	329
697	697	330
698	698	331
699	699	332
700	700	333
701	701	334
702	702	335
703	703	336 HB190 INTRODUCED
704	704	Page 13
705	705	state department shall prevent an adoption solely because the
706	706	petitioner is of a certain age, except as provided in
707	707	subsection (e).
708	708	(h) The State Department of Human Resources shall
709	709	provide by rule the process through which an individual
710	710	seeking to participate in foster care or adoption may apply
711	711	for an exemption from any vaccination requirement for
712	712	religious or other appropriate reason for himself, herself, or
713	713	any other individual in his or her household."
714	714	"§26-10E-7
715	715	(a) Consent to the petitioner's adoption or
716	716	relinquishment for adoption to the State Department of Human
717	717	Resources or a licensed child placing child-placing agency
718	718	shall be required by all of the following:
719	719	(1) The adoptee, if 14 years of age or older, except
720	720	when the court finds that the adoptee does not have the mental
721	721	capacity to give consent.
722	722	(2) The adoptee's legal mother or mothers.
723	723	(3) The adoptee's legal father or fathers.
724	724	(4) If the adoptee has no legal father, the putative
725	725	father if made known by the mother or is otherwise made known
726	726	to the court, provided he complies with Section 26-10C-1 and
727	727	responds within 30 days to the notice received under Section
728	728	26-10E-17(a).
729	729	(5) Any legal custodian or legal guardian of the
730	730	adoptee if both parents are dead or presumed dead, if the
731	731	rights of the parents have been terminated by judicial
732	732	proceedings, or if the consent of both parents is otherwise
733	733	not required pursuant to Section 26-10E-10, and if any legal
734	734	337
735	735	338
736	736	339
737	737	340
738	738	341
739	739	342
740	740	343
741	741	344
742	742	345
743	743	346
744	744	347
745	745	348
746	746	349
747	747	350
748	748	351
749	749	352
750	750	353
751	751	354
752	752	355
753	753	356
754	754	357
755	755	358
756	756	359
757	757	360
758	758	361
759	759	362
760	760	363
761	761	364 HB190 INTRODUCED
762	762	Page 14
763	763	not required pursuant to Section 26-10E-10, and if any legal
764	764	custodian or legal guardian has authority by order of the
765	765	court to consent to the adoption except that the court may
766	766	grant the adoption without the consent of that legal custodian
767	767	or legal guardian if the court determines that such consent
768	768	was unreasonably withheld.
769	769	(6) The State Department of Human Resources or the
770	770	county department of human resources , if the minor has been
771	771	relinquished to it for the purposes of adoption or it
772	772	otherwise holds temporary or permanent custody of the minor,
773	773	except that the court may grant the adoption without the
774	774	consent of the State Department of Human Resources or the
775	775	county department of human resources if the adoption is in the
776	776	best interests interest of the adoptee and there is a finding
777	777	by the court finds that the State Department of Human
778	778	Resources or the county department of human resources has
779	779	unreasonably withheld its consent.
780	780	(7) The licensed child placing child-placing agency to
781	781	which the child has been relinquished for adoption, except
782	782	that the court may grant the adoption without the consent of
783	783	the agency if the adoption is in the best interests interest
784	784	of the adoptee and there is a finding by the court the agency
785	785	has unreasonably withheld its consent.
786	786	(b) The Director of the State Department of Human
787	787	Resources, the director of the county department of human
788	788	resources, or the designee of the either director, and the
789	789	executive head of a licensed child placing child-placing
790	790	agency may appoint an employee of the department or agency to
791	791	give or to deny consent for adoption of the adoptee.
792	792	365
793	793	366
794	794	367
795	795	368
796	796	369
797	797	370
798	798	371
799	799	372
800	800	373
801	801	374
802	802	375
803	803	376
804	804	377
805	805	378
806	806	379
807	807	380
808	808	381
809	809	382
810	810	383
811	811	384
812	812	385
813	813	386
814	814	387
815	815	388
816	816	389
817	817	390
818	818	391
819	819	392 HB190 INTRODUCED
820	820	Page 15
821	821	give or to deny consent for adoption of the adoptee.
822	822	(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a court
823	823	having with jurisdiction over a case under this chapter shall
824	824	have the power to determine the biological or legal parentage
825	825	of a minor to ascertain whose consent shall be required or to
826	826	adjudicate any other claim or issue in the case."
827	827	"§26-10E-8
828	828	(a) Prior to a minor parent's giving express consent to
829	829	an adoption or executing a relinquishment for adoption, a
830	830	guardian ad litem must shall be appointed to represent the
831	831	interests interest of the minor parent whose consent is
832	832	required. Any minor parent, 14 years of age and older, may
833	833	nominate a guardian ad litem either prior to the birth of the
834	834	adoptee or thereafter.
835	835	(b) A minor parent may give his or her implied consent
836	836	to an adoption in the same manner as an adult parent under
837	837	Section 26-10E-9. If a court finds by clear and convincing
838	838	evidence that a minor parent has given implied consent to the
839	839	adoption, notice and the appointment of a guardian ad litem
840	840	shall not be necessary. The implied consent of a minor parent
841	841	may not be withdrawn.
842	842	(c) The express or implied consent of, or
843	843	relinquishment by, a minor parent shall not be subject to
844	844	revocation by reason of such minority."
845	845	"§26-10E-9
846	846	(a) A rebuttable presumption that a parent has
847	847	impliedly consented to the adoption or the relinquishment for
848	848	adoption of an adoptee arises when clear and convincing
849	849	evidence shows any of the following:
850	850	393
851	851	394
852	852	395
853	853	396
854	854	397
855	855	398
856	856	399
857	857	400
858	858	401
859	859	402
860	860	403
861	861	404
862	862	405
863	863	406
864	864	407
865	865	408
866	866	409
867	867	410
868	868	411
869	869	412
870	870	413
871	871	414
872	872	415
873	873	416
874	874	417
875	875	418
876	876	419
877	877	420 HB190 INTRODUCED
878	878	Page 16
879	879	evidence shows any of the following:
880	880	(1) Abandonment of the adoptee by the parent during the
881	881	four months immediately preceding the date of the filing of
882	882	the petition for adoption.
883	883	(2) Abandonment of the biological mother by the legal
884	884	father or putative father of the biological mother by failing
885	885	to offer to the biological mother financial or emotional
886	886	support, or both, during the four months immediately preceding
887	887	the birth of the adoptee despite knowing or having reason to
888	888	know of the pregnancy.
889	889	(3) The parent, without good cause or excuse, left the
890	890	adoptee without provision for his or her identification for a
891	891	period of 30 days.
892	892	(4) The parent voluntarily and knowingly, without good
893	893	cause or excuse, left the adoptee with another person without
894	894	personally providing support for, initiating communication
895	895	with, or otherwise maintaining a substantial relationship with
896	896	the adoptee for the four consecutive months immediately
897	897	preceding the date of the filing of the petition.
898	898	(b) A rebuttable presumption that any individual or
899	899	agency whose consent is required has impliedly consented to
900	900	the adoption, or the relinquishment for adoption, of an
901	901	adoptee arises when clear and convincing evidence shows that
902	902	the individual or agency has received notification of the
903	903	pendency of the adoption proceedings pursuant to Section
904	904	26-10E-17 and has failed to answer or otherwise respond to the
905	905	petition within 30 days.
906	906	(c) Implied consent under subsections (a) or (b) may
907	907	not be withdrawn by any individual.
908	908	421
909	909	422
910	910	423
911	911	424
912	912	425
913	913	426
914	914	427
915	915	428
916	916	429
917	917	430
918	918	431
919	919	432
920	920	433
921	921	434
922	922	435
923	923	436
924	924	437
925	925	438
926	926	439
927	927	440
928	928	441
929	929	442
930	930	443
931	931	444
932	932	445
933	933	446
934	934	447
935	935	448 HB190 INTRODUCED
936	936	Page 17
937	937	not be withdrawn by any individual.
938	938	(d) A putative father who fails to file a notice of
939	939	intent to claim paternity of an adoptee pursuant to Section
940	940	26-10C-1 prior to or within 30 days of the birth of the
941	941	adoptee shall be deemed to have given irrevocable implied
942	942	consent to, or relinquishment for, the adoption of the
943	943	adoptee.
944	944	(e) At any time before the birth of the adoptee, a
945	945	licensed child placing child-placing agency, an attorney
946	946	representing the legal mother, or an attorney representing the
947	947	prospective adoptive parents may serve a putative father with
948	948	notice consistent with Section 26-10E-17 that the legal mother
949	949	is considering an adoptive placement of the unborn child in a
950	950	form to be developed by the Administrative Office of Courts
951	951	and the Alabama Law Institute. The notice shall not obligate
952	952	the legal mother to place the child for adoption. A putative
953	953	father intending to contest the adoption shall have 30 days
954	954	from the date of service of the notice to file an action to
955	955	establish his paternity of the unborn child under Section
956	956	26-17-611 and to register with the putative father registry
957	957	pursuant to Section 26-10C-1. If the notified putative father
958	958	fails to file this action and register with the putative
959	959	father registry, his failure shall be deemed an irrevocable
960	960	implied consent to the adoption of the child."
961	961	"§26-10E-10
962	962	Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 26-10E-7, the
963	963	consent of the following individuals shall not be required for
964	964	an adoption or relinquishment for adoption:
965	965	(1) A parent of the adoptee whose rights with reference
966	966	449
967	967	450
968	968	451
969	969	452
970	970	453
971	971	454
972	972	455
973	973	456
974	974	457
975	975	458
976	976	459
977	977	460
978	978	461
979	979	462
980	980	463
981	981	464
982	982	465
983	983	466
984	984	467
985	985	468
986	986	469
987	987	470
988	988	471
989	989	472
990	990	473
991	991	474
992	992	475
993	993	476 HB190 INTRODUCED
994	994	Page 18
995	995	(1) A parent of the adoptee whose rights with reference
996	996	to the adoptee have been terminated by a final judgment of a
997	997	court of this state or any other state.
998	998	(2) A parent of the adoptee who has been adjudged
999	999	incompetent or incapacitated pursuant to law or a parent whom
1000	1000	the court finds to be mentally incapable of consenting or
1001	1001	relinquishing and whose mental disability is likely to
1002	1002	continue for so long a period that it would be detrimental to
1003	1003	the adoptee to delay adoption until restoration of the
1004	1004	parent's competency or capacity. The court must shall appoint
1005	1005	independent counsel or a guardian ad litem for an incompetent
1006	1006	or incapacitated parent for whom there has been no such prior
1007	1007	appointment.
1008	1008	(3) A parent of an adoptee who has voluntarily
1009	1009	relinquished the adoptee to the State Department of Human
1010	1010	Resources, a similar agency of another state, or a licensed
1011	1011	child placing child-placing agency for an adoption, unless
1012	1012	this relinquishment has been withdrawn in accordance with this
1013	1013	chapter or the law of the state in which the relinquishment
1014	1014	was made.
1015	1015	(4) A deceased parent of the adoptee or a parent of the
1016	1016	adoptee who is presumed to be deceased under this state's or
1017	1017	any other state's law.
1018	1018	(5) A putative father of the adoptee who has signed a
1019	1019	written statement denying paternity.
1020	1020	(6) A putative father of the adoptee when the mother
1021	1021	swears in an affidavit pursuant to Section 26-10E-16(c) that
1022	1022	the putative father is unknown, unless the putative father is
1023	1023	otherwise made known to the court.
1024	1024	477
1025	1025	478
1026	1026	479
1027	1027	480
1028	1028	481
1029	1029	482
1030	1030	483
1031	1031	484
1032	1032	485
1033	1033	486
1034	1034	487
1035	1035	488
1036	1036	489
1037	1037	490
1038	1038	491
1039	1039	492
1040	1040	493
1041	1041	494
1042	1042	495
1043	1043	496
1044	1044	497
1045	1045	498
1046	1046	499
1047	1047	500
1048	1048	501
1049	1049	502
1050	1050	503
1051	1051	504 HB190 INTRODUCED
1052	1052	Page 19
1053	1053	otherwise made known to the court.
1054	1054	(7) A putative father of the adoptee who fails to prove
1055	1055	his paternity of the adoptee.
1056	1056	(8) A legal father or putative father when clear and
1057	1057	convincing evidence is presented to the court that the adoptee
1058	1058	was conceived by rape, incest, or sexual assault committed by
1059	1059	the legal father or putative father, whose crimes are defined
1060	1060	by the laws of this state or, if the crime occurred not in
1061	1061	this state, the jurisdiction in which the crime occurred.
1062	1062	(9) A parent of the adoptee who has been convicted of
1063	1063	child abuse or other felonious acts against the adoptee as
1064	1064	defined by the laws of this state or, if the crime occurred
1065	1065	not in this state, the jurisdiction in which the crime
1066	1066	occurred."
1067	1067	"§26-10E-11
1068	1068	An express consent or relinquishment shall be in
1069	1069	writing, signed by the individual consenting or relinquishing,
1070	1070	and shall state all of the following:
1071	1071	(1) The date, place, and time of execution.
1072	1072	(2) The date of birth or, if prior to birth, the
1073	1073	expected date of birth of the adoptee and any names by which
1074	1074	the adoptee has been known.
1075	1075	(3) The date of birth of the individual consenting or
1076	1076	relinquishing and his or her relationship and date of birth of
1077	1077	the individual consenting or relinquishing to the adoptee.
1078	1078	(4) If the right to know the identity of each
1079	1079	petitioner has not been waived, the legal name of each
1080	1080	petitioner, unless the document is a relinquishment of the
1081	1081	adoptee to an agency.
1082	1082	505
1083	1083	506
1084	1084	507
1085	1085	508
1086	1086	509
1087	1087	510
1088	1088	511
1089	1089	512
1090	1090	513
1091	1091	514
1092	1092	515
1093	1093	516
1094	1094	517
1095	1095	518
1096	1096	519
1097	1097	520
1098	1098	521
1099	1099	522
1100	1100	523
1101	1101	524
1102	1102	525
1103	1103	526
1104	1104	527
1105	1105	528
1106	1106	529
1107	1107	530
1108	1108	531
1109	1109	532 HB190 INTRODUCED
1110	1110	Page 20
1111	1111	adoptee to an agency.
1112	1112	(5) That the individual executing the document is
1113	1113	voluntarily and unequivocally consenting to the adoption of
1114	1114	the adoptee. If the individual executing the document consents
1115	1115	to the adoption of the adoptee by only a designated individual
1116	1116	or married couple, the express consent shall specify that the
1117	1117	consent applies only to that individual or married couple, as
1118	1118	identified by his, her, or their legal names and that the
1119	1119	express consent shall not be construed to apply to any other
1120	1120	individual seeking to adopt the adoptee.
1121	1121	(6) That by signing the document, the individual
1122	1122	executing the document understands that, except as otherwise
1123	1123	provided in this chapter, upon the entry of the final judgment
1124	1124	of adoption, he or she forfeits all rights and obligations to
1125	1125	the adoptee and that he or she understands the express consent
1126	1126	or relinquishment and executes it freely and voluntarily.
1127	1127	(7) That the individual signing the document has been
1128	1128	advised and understands that his or her express consent or
1129	1129	relinquishment may be withdrawn only in the manner, and within
1130	1130	the time periods, as provided in Sections 26-10E-13 and
1131	1131	26-10E-14, and that the adoption may not be collaterally
1132	1132	attacked after the entry of the final judgment of adoption,
1133	1133	except as authorized in this chapter.
1134	1134	(8) That the individual signing the document
1135	1135	understands that the express consent may become irrevocable,
1136	1136	and that the individual should not execute it if he or she
1137	1137	needs or desires psychological or legal advice, guidance, or
1138	1138	counseling.
1139	1139	(9) The address of the court in which the petition for
1140	1140	533
1141	1141	534
1142	1142	535
1143	1143	536
1144	1144	537
1145	1145	538
1146	1146	539
1147	1147	540
1148	1148	541
1149	1149	542
1150	1150	543
1151	1151	544
1152	1152	545
1153	1153	546
1154	1154	547
1155	1155	548
1156	1156	549
1157	1157	550
1158	1158	551
1159	1159	552
1160	1160	553
1161	1161	554
1162	1162	555
1163	1163	556
1164	1164	557
1165	1165	558
1166	1166	559
1167	1167	560 HB190 INTRODUCED
1168	1168	Page 21
1169	1169	(9) The address of the court in which the petition for
1170	1170	adoption has been or will be filed, if known, and if not
1171	1171	known, the name and address of the agency, any petitioner, or
1172	1172	the attorney of any petitioner on whom notice of the
1173	1173	withdrawal or relinquishment of express consent may be served.
1174	1174	(10) In the case of relinquishment, the name and
1175	1175	address of the agency to which the adoptee has been
1176	1176	relinquished.
1177	1177	(11) That the individual executing the document has
1178	1178	received or has been offered a copy of the express consent or
1179	1179	relinquishment and withdrawal form.
1180	1180	(12) That the individual executing a relinquishment
1181	1181	waives further notice of the adoption proceeding.
1182	1182	(13) That the individual executing an express consent
1183	1183	waives further notice of the adoption proceedings unless there
1184	1184	is a contest or appeal of the adoption proceeding."
1185	1185	"§26-10E-14
1186	1186	(a) The consent or relinquishment, once signed or
1187	1187	confirmed, may not be withdrawn except in unless the consent
1188	1188	or relinquishment is executed in writing and one of the
1189	1189	following circumstances applies:
1190	1190	(1) As provided in Section 26-10E-13.
1191	1191	(2) When, at any time before entry of the final
1192	1192	judgment of adoption, the court determines that the express
1193	1193	consent or relinquishment was obtained by fraud, duress,
1194	1194	mistake, or undue influence on the part of, or on behalf of,
1195	1195	the petitioner; provided, however, that, after one year from
1196	1196	the date of entry of the final judgment of adoption and after
1197	1197	all appeals, if any, an express consent or relinquishment may
1198	1198	561
1199	1199	562
1200	1200	563
1201	1201	564
1202	1202	565
1203	1203	566
1204	1204	567
1205	1205	568
1206	1206	569
1207	1207	570
1208	1208	571
1209	1209	572
1210	1210	573
1211	1211	574
1212	1212	575
1213	1213	576
1214	1214	577
1215	1215	578
1216	1216	579
1217	1217	580
1218	1218	581
1219	1219	582
1220	1220	583
1221	1221	584
1222	1222	585
1223	1223	586
1224	1224	587
1225	1225	588 HB190 INTRODUCED
1226	1226	Page 22
1227	1227	all appeals, if any, an express consent or relinquishment may
1228	1228	not be challenged on any ground, except in cases of fraud or
1229	1229	cases in which the adoptee has been kidnapped.
1230	1230	(3) Upon denial of a petition for adoption after a
1231	1231	contested case under Section 26-10E-24 Section 26-10E-23 .
1232	1232	(b) For the The withdrawal of express consent or
1233	1233	relinquishment as provided in Section 26-10E-13(b) shall to
1234	1234	become effective by the affiant's signing and dating the :
1235	1235	(1) The individual seeking to withdraw the express
1236	1236	consent or relinquishment must sign and date the withdrawal
1237	1237	form provided pursuant to Section 26-10E-12 and have the
1238	1238	withdrawal form signed by two witnesses or a notary public;
1239	1239	and, or by filing
1240	1240	(2) The individual seeking to withdraw the express
1241	1241	consent or relinquishment shall either:
1242	1242	a. File the withdrawal form with the court within five
1243	1243	business days of the child's birth or within five business
1244	1244	days of signing the express consent or relinquishment,
1245	1245	whichever comes last .; or
1246	1246	b. Mail the withdrawal form to the court bearing a
1247	1247	postmark dated within five business days of the child's birth
1248	1248	or within five business days of the signing of the express
1249	1249	consent or relinquishment, whichever comes last.
1250	1250	(c)(1) A The petition to withdraw express consent or
1251	1251	relinquishment under subdivision (a)(1) must be filed with the
1252	1252	court in which the consent or relinquishment was listed on the
1253	1253	withdrawal form. The pending adoption shall proceed to a
1254	1254	contest as provided under Section 26-10E-23 must be in
1255	1255	writing, executed by the individual seeking to withdraw the
1256	1256	589
1257	1257	590
1258	1258	591
1259	1259	592
1260	1260	593
1261	1261	594
1262	1262	595
1263	1263	596
1264	1264	597
1265	1265	598
1266	1266	599
1267	1267	600
1268	1268	601
1269	1269	602
1270	1270	603
1271	1271	604
1272	1272	605
1273	1273	606
1274	1274	607
1275	1275	608
1276	1276	609
1277	1277	610
1278	1278	611
1279	1279	612
1280	1280	613
1281	1281	614
1282	1282	615
1283	1283	616 HB190 INTRODUCED
1284	1284	Page 23
1285	1285	writing, executed by the individual seeking to withdraw the
1286	1286	express consent or relinquishment, dated, and signed by two
1287	1287	witnesses or a notary public .
1288	1288	(2) If a petition for adoption is filed with a court
1289	1289	and includes an express consent or relinquishment with a
1290	1290	different court listed on the withdrawal form, the probate
1291	1291	court in which the adoption proceeding is pending shall
1292	1292	contact the court listed on the withdrawal form to ascertain
1293	1293	whether a withdrawal of the express consent or relinquishment
1294	1294	has been filed. The court listed on the withdrawal form shall
1295	1295	notify the court in which the adoption proceeding is pending
1296	1296	of any subsequent filings.
1297	1297	(d) In adjudicating a petition to withdraw an express
1298	1298	consent or relinquishment under subsection (a) , the court
1299	1299	shall require that the individual seeking to withdraw the
1300	1300	express consent or relinquishment shall establish the facts
1301	1301	necessary to withdraw the express consent or relinquishment by
1302	1302	a preponderance of the evidence.
1303	1303	(e)(1) If an If the court directs that the express
1304	1304	consent or relinquishment be is properly withdrawn under
1305	1305	subdivision (a)(1) and the probate court has issued an
1306	1306	interlocutory order, the interlocutory order shall be set
1307	1307	aside and, the court shall order the legal custody of the
1308	1308	minor child restored to the custody of his or her parent or
1309	1309	parents, the county department of human resources, or a
1310	1310	licensed child placing agency, as the case may be; otherwise,
1311	1311	individual or agency with legal custody of the minor child
1312	1312	prior to the issuing of the interlocutor order. If the court
1313	1313	determines that an attempted withdrawal under subdivision
1314	1314	617
1315	1315	618
1316	1316	619
1317	1317	620
1318	1318	621
1319	1319	622
1320	1320	623
1321	1321	624
1322	1322	625
1323	1323	626
1324	1324	627
1325	1325	628
1326	1326	629
1327	1327	630
1328	1328	631
1329	1329	632
1330	1330	633
1331	1331	634
1332	1332	635
1333	1333	636
1334	1334	637
1335	1335	638
1336	1336	639
1337	1337	640
1338	1338	641
1339	1339	642
1340	1340	643
1341	1341	644 HB190 INTRODUCED
1342	1342	Page 24
1343	1343	determines that an attempted withdrawal under subdivision
1344	1344	(a)(1) fails to comply with the statutory requirements of
1345	1345	subdivision (a)(1), the court shall deny the withdrawal and
1346	1346	declare that the express consent or relinquishment is final
1347	1347	and binding.
1348	1348	(2) If an express consent or relinquishment is filed
1349	1349	under subdivision (a)(2) and the petition to withdraw is filed
1350	1350	prior to the entry of the final judgment of adoption, the
1351	1351	determination of the validity of the withdrawal shall proceed
1352	1352	pursuant to Section 26-10E-23.
1353	1353	(3) An express consent or relinquishment may be
1354	1354	withdrawn under subdivision (a)(3) if the petition for
1355	1355	adoption is denied after a contested case under Section
1356	1356	23-10E-23.
1357	1357	(4) Any order made by the court upon a petition to
1358	1358	withdraw express consent or relinquishment under this section
1359	1359	shall be deemed a final judgment for the purpose of filing an
1360	1360	appeal under Section 26-10E-25."
1361	1361	"§26-10E-15
1362	1362	(a) No health facility shall surrender the physical
1363	1363	custody of an adoptee to any individual or entity other than
1364	1364	the county department of human resources, a licensed child
1365	1365	placing child-placing agency, parent, relative by blood or
1366	1366	marriage, or individual having legal custody, unless this
1367	1367	surrender of physical custody is authorized in a writing
1368	1368	executed after the birth of the adoptee by one of the
1369	1369	adoptee's parents, the agency, or the individual having legal
1370	1370	custody of the adoptee.
1371	1371	(b) A health facility shall report to the county
1372	1372	645
1373	1373	646
1374	1374	647
1375	1375	648
1376	1376	649
1377	1377	650
1378	1378	651
1379	1379	652
1380	1380	653
1381	1381	654
1382	1382	655
1383	1383	656
1384	1384	657
1385	1385	658
1386	1386	659
1387	1387	660
1388	1388	661
1389	1389	662
1390	1390	663
1391	1391	664
1392	1392	665
1393	1393	666
1394	1394	667
1395	1395	668
1396	1396	669
1397	1397	670
1398	1398	671
1399	1399	672 HB190 INTRODUCED
1400	1400	Page 25
1401	1401	(b) A health facility shall report to the county
1402	1402	department of human resources, on forms supplied by the
1403	1403	department State Department of Human Resources , the name and
1404	1404	address of any individual and, in the case of an individual
1405	1405	acting as an agent for an organization, the name and address
1406	1406	of the organization to whose physical custody an adoptee is
1407	1407	surrendered. This report shall be transmitted to the
1408	1408	department State Department of Human Resources within 48 hours
1409	1409	from the surrendering of physical custody."
1410	1410	"§26-10E-16
1411	1411	(a) A petition for adoption of an adoptee shall bear
1412	1412	the caption "In the Matter of the Adoption Petition of [each
1413	1413	named petitioner.]" The completed petition shall be signed and
1414	1414	verified by each petitioner and shall set forth each of the
1415	1415	following:
1416	1416	(1) The full name, date of birth, place of residence,
1417	1417	and relationship to the adoptee of each petitioner, and, if
1418	1418	the petitioners are married, the place and date of their
1419	1419	marriage.
1420	1420	(2) The date and place of birth of the adoptee, if
1421	1421	known.
1422	1422	(3) The birth name of the adoptee, any other names by
1423	1423	which the adoptee has been known, and the name by which the
1424	1424	adoptee shall be known.
1425	1425	(4) That the physical custody of the adoptee has been
1426	1426	placed with the petitioner or petitioners for the purpose of
1427	1427	adoption and that the adoptee has been residing with the
1428	1428	petitioner or petitioners since a specified date, or a
1429	1429	statement of good cause as to why placement and physical
1430	1430	673
1431	1431	674
1432	1432	675
1433	1433	676
1434	1434	677
1435	1435	678
1436	1436	679
1437	1437	680
1438	1438	681
1439	1439	682
1440	1440	683
1441	1441	684
1442	1442	685
1443	1443	686
1444	1444	687
1445	1445	688
1446	1446	689
1447	1447	690
1448	1448	691
1449	1449	692
1450	1450	693
1451	1451	694
1452	1452	695
1453	1453	696
1454	1454	697
1455	1455	698
1456	1456	699
1457	1457	700 HB190 INTRODUCED
1458	1458	Page 26
1459	1459	statement of good cause as to why placement and physical
1460	1460	custody is not required or should be excused or waived.
1461	1461	(5) That the petitioner or petitioners desire to
1462	1462	establish a parent and child relationship between himself or
1463	1463	herself and the adoptee and that he or she is a fit and proper
1464	1464	individual able to care for and provide for the adoptee's
1465	1465	welfare.
1466	1466	(6) The existence and nature of any prior or pending
1467	1467	judicial proceedings known to the petitioner or petitioners
1468	1468	that affect the custody, visitation with, or parentage of , the
1469	1469	adoptee.
1470	1470	(7) The name and address of the licensed child placing
1471	1471	child-placing agency, if any.
1472	1472	(8) The names and addresses of all individuals or
1473	1473	agencies known to the petitioner or petitioners at the time of
1474	1474	filing from whom consents or relinquishments to the adoption
1475	1475	are required and whether the individuals or agencies have
1476	1476	given express or implied consent to the adoption.
1477	1477	(9) The names and addresses of all other individuals or
1478	1478	agencies known to the petitioner or petitioners who are
1479	1479	entitled to notice of the adoption proceedings under Section
1480	1480	26-10E-17.
1481	1481	(b) The petitioner or petitioners shall attach each of
1482	1482	the following to the petition:
1483	1483	(1) A government-issued document bearing photographic
1484	1484	identification of each petitioner.
1485	1485	(2) If the petitioners are married, a certified
1486	1486	document establishing proof of marriage or an affidavit of
1487	1487	their common law marriage.
1488	1488	701
1489	1489	702
1490	1490	703
1491	1491	704
1492	1492	705
1493	1493	706
1494	1494	707
1495	1495	708
1496	1496	709
1497	1497	710
1498	1498	711
1499	1499	712
1500	1500	713
1501	1501	714
1502	1502	715
1503	1503	716
1504	1504	717
1505	1505	718
1506	1506	719
1507	1507	720
1508	1508	721
1509	1509	722
1510	1510	723
1511	1511	724
1512	1512	725
1513	1513	726
1514	1514	727
1515	1515	728 HB190 INTRODUCED
1516	1516	Page 27
1517	1517	their common law marriage.
1518	1518	(3) A certified copy of the adoptee's birth certificate
1519	1519	issued within six months of the date of the filing of the
1520	1520	petition or an affidavit stating that application for the
1521	1521	birth certificate has been made. This subdivision does not
1522	1522	apply when the adoptee is in the permanent custody of the
1523	1523	State Department of Human Resources.
1524	1524	(4) Any written authorization allowing the adoptee to
1525	1525	be placed in the home of the petitioner or petitioners.
1526	1526	(5) A copy of any court orders affecting the custody,
1527	1527	visitation with, or parentage of , the adoptee accessible to
1528	1528	the petitioner or petitioners.
1529	1529	(6) Any and all existing express consents and
1530	1530	relinquishments upon which the petitioner or petitioners rely
1531	1531	for the adoption.
1532	1532	(7) If a pre-placement investigation is required under
1533	1533	this chapter, a copy of the pre-placement investigation
1534	1534	investigative report.
1535	1535	(8) An accounting of all anticipated costs and expenses
1536	1536	for the adoption.
1537	1537	(c) In the case of an unknown father, a verified
1538	1538	affidavit signed by the biological mother, under penalty of
1539	1539	perjury, shall sign a verified affidavit setting forth the
1540	1540	following information shall be attached and attach the
1541	1541	affidavit to the petition, unless the whereabouts of the
1542	1542	mother are unknown, she is deceased, or the parental rights of
1543	1543	the mother have been previously terminated as to the adoptee ,
1544	1544	or the adoption is a stepparent or relative adoption as
1545	1545	provided under Sections 26-10E-26 or 26-10E-27 :
1546	1546	729
1547	1547	730
1548	1548	731
1549	1549	732
1550	1550	733
1551	1551	734
1552	1552	735
1553	1553	736
1554	1554	737
1555	1555	738
1556	1556	739
1557	1557	740
1558	1558	741
1559	1559	742
1560	1560	743
1561	1561	744
1562	1562	745
1563	1563	746
1564	1564	747
1565	1565	748
1566	1566	749
1567	1567	750
1568	1568	751
1569	1569	752
1570	1570	753
1571	1571	754
1572	1572	755
1573	1573	756 HB190 INTRODUCED
1574	1574	Page 28
1575	1575	provided under Sections 26-10E-26 or 26-10E-27 :
1576	1576	(1) Whether the mother has declared that she does not
1577	1577	know the identity of the biological father or she refuses to
1578	1578	identify the name of the biological father.
1579	1579	(2) Whether the mother was married at the probable time
1580	1580	of conception of the adoptee, or at a later time, and if so,
1581	1581	the identity and last known address of her husband.
1582	1582	(3)(2) Whether the mother was cohabitating with a man
1583	1583	at the probable time of conception of the adoptee, and, if so,
1584	1584	the identity of the man, his last known address, and why the
1585	1585	mother contends the man is not the legal father or putative
1586	1586	father of the adoptee.
1587	1587	(4)(3) Whether the mother has received payments or
1588	1588	promise of support from any man with respect to the adoptee or
1589	1589	her pregnancy, and, if so, the identity of the man, his last
1590	1590	known address, and why the mother contends the man is not the
1591	1591	legal father or putative father of the adoptee.
1592	1592	(5)(4) Whether the mother has named any man as the
1593	1593	father on the birth certificate of the adoptee or in
1594	1594	connection with applying for or receiving public assistance,
1595	1595	and if so, the identity of the man, his last known address,
1596	1596	and why the mother contends the man is not the legal father or
1597	1597	putative father of the adoptee.
1598	1598	(6)(5) Whether the mother identified any man as the
1599	1599	legal father or putative father of the adoptee to any hospital
1600	1600	personnel, and, if so, the identity of the man, his last known
1601	1601	address, the name and address of the hospital, and why the
1602	1602	mother contends the man is not the legal father or putative
1603	1603	father of the adoptee.
1604	1604	757
1605	1605	758
1606	1606	759
1607	1607	760
1608	1608	761
1609	1609	762
1610	1610	763
1611	1611	764
1612	1612	765
1613	1613	766
1614	1614	767
1615	1615	768
1616	1616	769
1617	1617	770
1618	1618	771
1619	1619	772
1620	1620	773
1621	1621	774
1622	1622	775
1623	1623	776
1624	1624	777
1625	1625	778
1626	1626	779
1627	1627	780
1628	1628	781
1629	1629	782
1630	1630	783
1631	1631	784 HB190 INTRODUCED
1632	1632	Page 29
1633	1633	father of the adoptee.
1634	1634	(7)(6) Whether the mother has informed any man that he
1635	1635	may be the legal father or putative father of the adoptee,
1636	1636	and, if so, the identity of the man, his last known address,
1637	1637	and why the mother contends the man is not the legal father or
1638	1638	putative father of the adoptee.
1639	1639	(8)(7) Whether any man has formally or informally
1640	1640	acknowledged or claimed paternity of the adoptee in any
1641	1641	jurisdiction at the time of the inquiry, and if so, the
1642	1642	identity of the man, his last known address, and why the
1643	1643	mother contends the man is not the legal father or putative
1644	1644	father of the adoptee.
1645	1645	(9)(8) That the mother has been informed that her
1646	1646	statement concerning the identity of the legal father or
1647	1647	putative father will be used only for the limited purpose of
1648	1648	adoption and, once the adoption is complete, that such
1649	1649	identity will be sealed.
1650	1650	(10)(9) That the mother acknowledges she is aware of
1651	1651	the remedies available to her for protection from abuse
1652	1652	pursuant to Chapter 5 of Title 30.
1653	1653	(d) The petition, the various documents attached
1654	1654	thereto as required by this section, or an appendix signed by
1655	1655	counsel or other credible individuals shall fully disclose all
1656	1656	that is known about the biological parentage of the adoptee.
1657	1657	(e) Except in cases governed by Section 26-10E-26 or
1658	1658	Section 26-10E-27, the petition for adoption shall be filed
1659	1659	with the clerk of the probate court within 60 days after the
1660	1660	adoptee is physically placed with the petitioner or
1661	1661	petitioners for purposes of adoption unless the adoptee is in
1662	1662	785
1663	1663	786
1664	1664	787
1665	1665	788
1666	1666	789
1667	1667	790
1668	1668	791
1669	1669	792
1670	1670	793
1671	1671	794
1672	1672	795
1673	1673	796
1674	1674	797
1675	1675	798
1676	1676	799
1677	1677	800
1678	1678	801
1679	1679	802
1680	1680	803
1681	1681	804
1682	1682	805
1683	1683	806
1684	1684	807
1685	1685	808
1686	1686	809
1687	1687	810
1688	1688	811
1689	1689	812 HB190 INTRODUCED
1690	1690	Page 30
1691	1691	petitioners for purposes of adoption unless the adoptee is in
1692	1692	the custody of the State Department of Human Resources , is or
1693	1693	a licensed child placing child-placing agency, or is currently
1694	1694	receiving care in a medical facility, except that, for good
1695	1695	cause shown, a petition may be filed beyond the 60-day period.
1696	1696	In cases governed by Sections 26-10E-26 or 26-10E-27, the
1697	1697	petition may be filed at any time."
1698	1698	"§26-10E-17
1699	1699	(a) Unless notice has been previously waived as
1700	1700	provided in subsection (d), notice of the pendency of an
1701	1701	adoption proceeding shall be served by the petitioner on each
1702	1702	of the following:
1703	1703	(1) Any individual, agency, or institution whose
1704	1704	consent or relinquishment is required.
1705	1705	(2) The legal father of the adoptee.
1706	1706	(3) If no legal father has been determined, the unknown
1707	1707	father.
1708	1708	(4) The putative father of the adoptee, if made known
1709	1709	to the court, provided the putative father has complied with
1710	1710	Section 26-10C-1.
1711	1711	(5)(4) The legal custodian or guardian of the adoptee.
1712	1712	(6)(5) The spouse of a petitioner who is a stepparent
1713	1713	unless express consent is attached to the petition.
1714	1714	(7)(6) A grandparent of the adoptee if the
1715	1715	grandparent's child is a deceased parent of the adoptee and,
1716	1716	before his or her death, the deceased parent had not executed
1717	1717	an express consent or relinquishment or the deceased parent's
1718	1718	parental relationship to the adoptee had not been otherwise
1719	1719	terminated.
1720	1720	813
1721	1721	814
1722	1722	815
1723	1723	816
1724	1724	817
1725	1725	818
1726	1726	819
1727	1727	820
1728	1728	821
1729	1729	822
1730	1730	823
1731	1731	824
1732	1732	825
1733	1733	826
1734	1734	827
1735	1735	828
1736	1736	829
1737	1737	830
1738	1738	831
1739	1739	832
1740	1740	833
1741	1741	834
1742	1742	835
1743	1743	836
1744	1744	837
1745	1745	838
1746	1746	839
1747	1747	840 HB190 INTRODUCED
1748	1748	Page 31
1749	1749	terminated.
1750	1750	(8)(7) Any person known to the petitioner or
1751	1751	petitioners as currently having physical custody of the
1752	1752	adoptee or having visitation rights with the adoptee under an
1753	1753	existing court order.
1754	1754	(9)(8) The agency or individual authorized to
1755	1755	investigate the adoption under Section 26-10E-19.
1756	1756	(10)(9) The Alabama State Department of Human
1757	1757	Resources.
1758	1758	(11)(10) If the adoptee is in foster care, the director
1759	1759	of the county department of human resources awarded Department
1760	1760	of Human Resources with legal custody of the adoptee.
1761	1761	(12)(11) Any other person designated by the court.
1762	1762	(b) The notice shall contain all of the following
1763	1763	information:
1764	1764	(1) That a petition for adoption of the adoptee has
1765	1765	been filed in the probate court.
1766	1766	(2) That the a notified party may appear in the
1767	1767	adoption proceeding shall file a written response within 30
1768	1768	days from the time of proper service of the notice stating if
1769	1769	he or she intends to contest or to support the petition
1770	1770	adoption.
1771	1771	(3) That the notified party has 30 days from the time
1772	1772	of proper service of the notice to respond to the notice.
1773	1773	(4) That if the notified party is a party from whom
1774	1774	consent is required and he or she fails to respond file a
1775	1775	written response within 30 days of proper service, the court
1776	1776	may construe that failure as an implied consent to the
1777	1777	adoption and as a waiver of a right to appear and of further
1778	1778	841
1779	1779	842
1780	1780	843
1781	1781	844
1782	1782	845
1783	1783	846
1784	1784	847
1785	1785	848
1786	1786	849
1787	1787	850
1788	1788	851
1789	1789	852
1790	1790	853
1791	1791	854
1792	1792	855
1793	1793	856
1794	1794	857
1795	1795	858
1796	1796	859
1797	1797	860
1798	1798	861
1799	1799	862
1800	1800	863
1801	1801	864
1802	1802	865
1803	1803	866
1804	1804	867
1805	1805	868 HB190 INTRODUCED
1806	1806	Page 32
1807	1807	adoption and as a waiver of a right to appear and of further
1808	1808	notice of the adoption proceedings.
1809	1809	(4) That if the notified party is a party from whom
1810	1810	consent is not required and he or she fails to file a written
1811	1811	response within 30 days of proper service, the court may
1812	1812	construe that failure as a waiver of the right to appear and
1813	1813	of further notice of the adoption proceedings.
1814	1814	(5) That if the adoption is approved, the parental
1815	1815	rights of the notified party, if any, will be considered
1816	1816	terminated.
1817	1817	(c) Service of the notice shall be made in the
1818	1818	following manner:
1819	1819	(1) Service of process shall be made in accordance with
1820	1820	the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure .
1821	1821	(2) If service cannot be perfected in accordance with
1822	1822	the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, the court may order, in
1823	1823	its discretion, an alternative method of notice. unless
1824	1824	otherwise provided herein. Service on the parties designated
1825	1825	in subdivisions (a)(8), (a)(9), and (a)(10) shall be by
1826	1826	certified mail. As to any other individual, agency, or
1827	1827	institution for whom notice is required under subsection (a),
1828	1828	service by certified mail, return receipt requested, shall be
1829	1829	sufficient. If this service cannot be completed after two
1830	1830	attempts, upon motion and affidavit, the court shall issue an
1831	1831	order providing for one of the following:
1832	1832	a. Service by publication.
1833	1833	b. Posting notice in the courthouse of the court
1834	1834	exercising jurisdiction over the adoption proceedings and in
1835	1835	the courthouse of the probate court of the county of the
1836	1836	869
1837	1837	870
1838	1838	871
1839	1839	872
1840	1840	873
1841	1841	874
1842	1842	875
1843	1843	876
1844	1844	877
1845	1845	878
1846	1846	879
1847	1847	880
1848	1848	881
1849	1849	882
1850	1850	883
1851	1851	884
1852	1852	885
1853	1853	886
1854	1854	887
1855	1855	888
1856	1856	889
1857	1857	890
1858	1858	891
1859	1859	892
1860	1860	893
1861	1861	894
1862	1862	895
1863	1863	896 HB190 INTRODUCED
1864	1864	Page 33
1865	1865	the courthouse of the probate court of the county of the
1866	1866	biological parents' last known address.
1867	1867	c. Any other substituted service as determined by the
1868	1868	court.
1869	1869	(d) Service by publication shall be made in the county
1870	1870	of the last known address of the mother and the legal or
1871	1871	putative father unless no newspaper of general circulation
1872	1872	exists in the county, in which case service by publication
1873	1873	shall be made in a newspaper with general circulation in that
1874	1874	county.
1875	1875	(e) The notice required by this section may be waived
1876	1876	in writing by the person entitled to receive notice. A party
1877	1877	listed in subdivisions (a)(8), (a)(9), and (a)(10), and
1878	1878	(a)(11) may appoint an employee to waive notice on its behalf.
1879	1879	(e)(f) Proof of service of the notice on all persons
1880	1880	for whom notice is required by this section must shall be
1881	1881	filed with the court before the adjudicatory hearing of a
1882	1882	contested case provided for in Section 26-10E-23."
1883	1883	"§26-10E-18
1884	1884	(a) Once a petitioner or petitioners has received an
1885	1885	adoptee into his or her home for the purposes of adoption and
1886	1886	a petition for adoption has been filed, an interlocutory order
1887	1887	may be entered delegating to the petitioner or petitioners
1888	1888	both of the following:
1889	1889	(1) Physical custody, except legal custody shall be
1890	1890	retained by the county department of human resources or the
1891	1891	licensed child placing child-placing agency that held legal
1892	1892	custody at the time of the placement until the entry of final
1893	1893	judgment of adoption.
1894	1894	897
1895	1895	898
1896	1896	899
1897	1897	900
1898	1898	901
1899	1899	902
1900	1900	903
1901	1901	904
1902	1902	905
1903	1903	906
1904	1904	907
1905	1905	908
1906	1906	909
1907	1907	910
1908	1908	911
1909	1909	912
1910	1910	913
1911	1911	914
1912	1912	915
1913	1913	916
1914	1914	917
1915	1915	918
1916	1916	919
1917	1917	920
1918	1918	921
1919	1919	922
1920	1920	923
1921	1921	924 HB190 INTRODUCED
1922	1922	Page 34
1923	1923	judgment of adoption.
1924	1924	(2) The responsibility for the care, maintenance, and
1925	1925	support of the adoptee, including any necessary medical or
1926	1926	surgical treatment, pending further order of the court.
1927	1927	(b) This interlocutory order shall not stop the running
1928	1928	of the time periods prescribed in Section 26-10E-9."
1929	1929	"§26-10E-19
1930	1930	(a) Except as provided in Sections 26-10E-19.1,
1931	1931	26-10E-26, and 26-10E-27, all minor adoptions shall include an
1932	1932	investigation as provided under this section. A pre-placement
1933	1933	investigation shall be completed to determine the suitability
1934	1934	of each petitioner and the home in which the adoptee will be
1935	1935	placed. The pre-placement investigation shall include a
1936	1936	criminal background investigation and any other circumstances
1937	1937	which might be relevant to the placement of an adoptee with
1938	1938	the petitioner or petitioners. The investigation must shall
1939	1939	include, but is not limited to, all the following:
1940	1940	(1) Letters of suitability , pursuant to Chapter 13 of
1941	1941	Title 38, for each adult living in the home of the petitioner
1942	1942	or petitioners based on the information available in this
1943	1943	state or and the petitioner's place of residence if other than
1944	1944	this state. For the purposes of this section, the term
1945	1945	"letters of suitability" refers to the Federal Bureau of
1946	1946	Investigation and the State Bureau of Investigation
1947	1947	clearances.
1948	1948	(2) Child abuse and neglect clearances pursuant to the
1949	1949	Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, Public Law
1950	1950	109-248, as amended, for all household members 14 years of age
1951	1951	and older from any state in which any petitioner has resided
1952	1952	925
1953	1953	926
1954	1954	927
1955	1955	928
1956	1956	929
1957	1957	930
1958	1958	931
1959	1959	932
1960	1960	933
1961	1961	934
1962	1962	935
1963	1963	936
1964	1964	937
1965	1965	938
1966	1966	939
1967	1967	940
1968	1968	941
1969	1969	942
1970	1970	943
1971	1971	944
1972	1972	945
1973	1973	946
1974	1974	947
1975	1975	948
1976	1976	949
1977	1977	950
1978	1978	951
1979	1979	952 HB190 INTRODUCED
1980	1980	Page 35
1981	1981	and older from any state in which any petitioner has resided
1982	1982	in the preceding five years.
1983	1983	(3) A printed copy of the search on the Dru Sjodin
1984	1984	National Sex Offender Public Website for all household members
1985	1985	14 years of age and older.
1986	1986	(4) The anticipated costs and expenses related to the
1987	1987	adoption known or anticipated at the time of the pre-placement
1988	1988	investigation.
1989	1989	(5) Agency(4) Any agency and social worker licenses.
1990	1990	(6)(5) Six reference letters, four of which are from
1991	1991	individuals unrelated to the petitioner or petitioners by
1992	1992	blood or marriage and two. The other two reference letters
1993	1993	shall be from individuals related to the petitioner or
1994	1994	petitioners by blood or marriage. If there are two
1995	1995	petitioners, a member from each petitioner's family shall
1996	1996	submit a reference. one related reference letter shall be
1997	1997	written by a member of each petitioner's family.
1998	1998	(7)(6) Medical reports on all individuals living in the
1999	1999	home, and letters from any prescribing doctors for any
2000	2000	controlled substance prescriptions.
2001	2001	(8)(7) The financial worksheets for each petitioner for
2002	2002	the previous tax year or a copy of the previous year's tax
2003	2003	returns.
2004	2004	(9)(8) Copies of each petitioner's birth certificates
2005	2005	and marriage licenses or marriage certificates .
2006	2006	(9) Copies of current pet vaccinations.
2007	2007	(10) Copies of any divorce decrees and settlement
2008	2008	agreements pursuant to the divorce , if applicable.
2009	2009	(11) Copies of any death certificates, if applicable.
2010	2010	953
2011	2011	954
2012	2012	955
2013	2013	956
2014	2014	957
2015	2015	958
2016	2016	959
2017	2017	960
2018	2018	961
2019	2019	962
2020	2020	963
2021	2021	964
2022	2022	965
2023	2023	966
2024	2024	967
2025	2025	968
2026	2026	969
2027	2027	970
2028	2028	971
2029	2029	972
2030	2030	973
2031	2031	974
2032	2032	975
2033	2033	976
2034	2034	977
2035	2035	978
2036	2036	979
2037	2037	980 HB190 INTRODUCED
2038	2038	Page 36
2039	2039	(11) Copies of any death certificates, if applicable.
2040	2040	(12) Verification The identity of who will do
2041	2041	supervisory visits, if applicable perform the post-placement
2042	2042	investigation.
2043	2043	(13) A written biography of each petitioner, including
2044	2044	medical and social history.
2045	2045	(14) A home safety inspection indicating that the home
2046	2046	of the petitioner or petitioners is safe for the adoptee's
2047	2047	residency.
2048	2048	(15) Any custody orders:
2049	2049	a. Pertaining to the adoptee;
2050	2050	b. Pertaining to the petitioner or petitioners; or
2051	2051	c. Pertaining to both the adoptee and the petitioner or
2052	2052	petitioners.
2053	2053	(16) Any other requirement pursuant to Title 660 of the
2054	2054	Alabama Administrative Code or any other rule adopted by the
2055	2055	State Department of Human Resources.
2056	2056	(17) Any additional information required by the court
2057	2057	in its discretion.
2058	2058	(b)(1) The pre-placement investigative report shall be
2059	2059	filed with the court at the time of the filing of the petition
2060	2060	for adoption. The information to be included in the
2061	2061	pre-placement investigation shall be obtained within 12 months
2062	2062	preceding the filing of the petition for adoption.
2063	2063	(2) Upon completion of the pre-placement investigation,
2064	2064	the person or entity performing the investigation shall send a
2065	2065	copy of the pre-placement investigative report to the
2066	2066	petitioner or petitioners, except that the individual or
2067	2067	entity performing the investigation may omit the reference
2068	2068	981
2069	2069	982
2070	2070	983
2071	2071	984
2072	2072	985
2073	2073	986
2074	2074	987
2075	2075	988
2076	2076	989
2077	2077	990
2078	2078	991
2079	2079	992
2080	2080	993
2081	2081	994
2082	2082	995
2083	2083	996
2084	2084	997
2085	2085	998
2086	2086	999
2087	2087	1000
2088	2088	1001
2089	2089	1002
2090	2090	1003
2091	2091	1004
2092	2092	1005
2093	2093	1006
2094	2094	1007
2095	2095	1008 HB190 INTRODUCED
2096	2096	Page 37
2097	2097	entity performing the investigation may omit the reference
2098	2098	letters from the copy of the pre-placement investigative
2099	2099	report that is sent to the petitioner or petitioners.
2100	2100	(c) In cases when an adoptee has resided in the
2101	2101	petitioner's home prior to the filing of a petition for
2102	2102	adoption, the information required in the pre-placement
2103	2103	investigative report shall be included in the post-placement
2104	2104	investigative report and cannot be waived.
2105	2105	(d) In every adoption proceeding, after a child has
2106	2106	been placed in the home of the petitioner or petitioners, the
2107	2107	post-placement investigator shall observe the adoptee and
2108	2108	interview each petitioner in his or her home as soon as
2109	2109	possible after notice of the placement but within 45 days
2110	2110	after the placement. The individual or entity performing the
2111	2111	investigation shall complete and file the post-placement
2112	2112	investigative report with the court within 60 days from
2113	2113	receipt of notice of the proceeding and shall deliver a copy
2114	2114	of the post-placement investigative report to each
2115	2115	petitioner's attorney or to each petitioner appearing pro se.
2116	2116	The post-placement investigative report shall include, but is
2117	2117	not limited to, all of the following:
2118	2118	(1) Full and updated physical medical evaluations of
2119	2119	the adoptee.
2120	2120	(2) Full and updated psychological and mental health
2121	2121	evaluations of the adoptee, if applicable.
2122	2122	(3) The circumstances resulting in the placement of the
2123	2123	adoptee with the petitioners.
2124	2124	(4) The status of adjustment of the adoptee in the
2125	2125	home, including, but not limited to, the following:
2126	2126	1009
2127	2127	1010
2128	2128	1011
2129	2129	1012
2130	2130	1013
2131	2131	1014
2132	2132	1015
2133	2133	1016
2134	2134	1017
2135	2135	1018
2136	2136	1019
2137	2137	1020
2138	2138	1021
2139	2139	1022
2140	2140	1023
2141	2141	1024
2142	2142	1025
2143	2143	1026
2144	2144	1027
2145	2145	1028
2146	2146	1029
2147	2147	1030
2148	2148	1031
2149	2149	1032
2150	2150	1033
2151	2151	1034
2152	2152	1035
2153	2153	1036 HB190 INTRODUCED
2154	2154	Page 38
2155	2155	home, including, but not limited to, the following:
2156	2156	a. The bonding of the adoptee to the household members.
2157	2157	b. The adoptee's academic, social, and medical status.
2158	2158	(5) Any counseling or therapeutic services involving
2159	2159	the adoptee or petitioners, or both.
2160	2160	(6) Any property or assets in which the adoptee has a
2161	2161	financial interest or is otherwise entitled to receive in the
2162	2162	future.
2163	2163	(7) Any current orders issued by another court:
2164	2164	a. Pertaining to the adoptee;
2165	2165	b. Pertaining to the petitioner or petitioners; or
2166	2166	c. Pertaining to both the adoptee and the petitioner or
2167	2167	petitioners.
2168	2168	(8) Updated letters of suitability, pursuant to Chapter
2169	2169	13 of Title 38, for each adult living in the home of the
2170	2170	petitioner or petitioners based on the information available
2171	2171	in this state or the petitioner's place of residence if other
2172	2172	than this state.
2173	2173	(9) Child abuse and neglect clearances pursuant to the
2174	2174	Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, Public Law
2175	2175	109-248, as amended, for all household members 14 years of age
2176	2176	and older from any state in which any petitioner has resided
2177	2177	in the preceding five years.
2178	2178	(10) A printed copy of the search on the Dru Sjodin
2179	2179	National Sex Offender Public Website for all household members
2180	2180	14 years of age and older from any state in which any
2181	2181	petitioners have resided.
2182	2182	(11) Any additional information required by the court
2183	2183	in its discretion.
2184	2184	1037
2185	2185	1038
2186	2186	1039
2187	2187	1040
2188	2188	1041
2189	2189	1042
2190	2190	1043
2191	2191	1044
2192	2192	1045
2193	2193	1046
2194	2194	1047
2195	2195	1048
2196	2196	1049
2197	2197	1050
2198	2198	1051
2199	2199	1052
2200	2200	1053
2201	2201	1054
2202	2202	1055
2203	2203	1056
2204	2204	1057
2205	2205	1058
2206	2206	1059
2207	2207	1060
2208	2208	1061
2209	2209	1062
2210	2210	1063
2211	2211	1064 HB190 INTRODUCED
2212	2212	Page 39
2213	2213	in its discretion.
2214	2214	(e)(1) An individual or entity authorized to perform an
2215	2215	investigation under subsection (h) who has not already
2216	2216	performed an investigation for the pending adoption shall
2217	2217	perform an investigation on any legal or putative parent of
2218	2218	the adoptee in an adoption that is not a stepparent or
2219	2219	relative adoption under Sections 26-10E-26 and 26-10E-27. This
2220	2220	investigation shall include, but is not limited to, the
2221	2221	medical and social history of the legal or putative parents as
2222	2222	required by the form developed by the Alabama Probate Judges
2223	2223	Association the Alabama Law Institute.
2224	2224	(2) The individual or entity performing an
2225	2225	investigation required by subdivision (1) shall submit the
2226	2226	investigative report to the court within 60 days of the filing
2227	2227	of the petition, and the individual or entity performing the
2228	2228	investigation shall also deliver a nonidentifying copy of the
2229	2229	report to the petitioner or petitioners.
2230	2230	(3) Notwithstanding subdivisions (1) and (2), the court
2231	2231	may require additional information or accept the required
2232	2232	information provided in a different format.
2233	2233	(f) Any prospective petitioner or petitioners may
2234	2234	directly request an individual or entity listed under
2235	2235	subsection (h) to initiate a pre-placement investigation.
2236	2236	(g) Upon a showing of good cause and after notice to
2237	2237	the petitioners, the court may grant extensions of time to the
2238	2238	individual or entity performing any investigation under this
2239	2239	section to file an investigative report. The final judgment of
2240	2240	adoption shall not be rendered until such time as all required
2241	2241	investigative reports are completed, filed, and determined by
2242	2242	1065
2243	2243	1066
2244	2244	1067
2245	2245	1068
2246	2246	1069
2247	2247	1070
2248	2248	1071
2249	2249	1072
2250	2250	1073
2251	2251	1074
2252	2252	1075
2253	2253	1076
2254	2254	1077
2255	2255	1078
2256	2256	1079
2257	2257	1080
2258	2258	1081
2259	2259	1082
2260	2260	1083
2261	2261	1084
2262	2262	1085
2263	2263	1086
2264	2264	1087
2265	2265	1088
2266	2266	1089
2267	2267	1090
2268	2268	1091
2269	2269	1092 HB190 INTRODUCED
2270	2270	Page 40
2271	2271	investigative reports are completed, filed, and determined by
2272	2272	the court to be sufficient. An individual or married couple
2273	2273	may initiate a pre-placement investigation by request through
2274	2274	either of the following individuals:
2275	2275	(1) An individual authorized in the jurisdiction in
2276	2276	which the petitioner or petitioners reside.
2277	2277	(2) An individual approved by the probate court under
2278	2278	the qualifications of subsection (f) to perform the
2279	2279	pre-placement investigation.
2280	2280	(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1), the court on
2281	2281	its own motion may order the pre-placement investigation be
2282	2282	performed by an agency or individual other than the agency
2283	2283	placing the adoptee.
2284	2284	(d) Upon completion of the pre-placement investigation,
2285	2285	a copy of the pre-placement investigative report shall be sent
2286	2286	to the petitioner or petitioners. The pre-placement
2287	2287	investigative report is to be filed with the court at the time
2288	2288	of the filing of the petition for adoption unless the court
2289	2289	grants leave to file the report after the filing of the
2290	2290	petition for good cause shown on the record. The pre-placement
2291	2291	investigation must be performed within 12 months of the filing
2292	2292	of the petition for adoption.
2293	2293	(e) No judgment for the adoption of any adoptee shall
2294	2294	be entered until a full post-placement investigative report
2295	2295	has been completed and filed with the court concerning all of
2296	2296	the following:
2297	2297	(1) Why the biological parents or legal parents, if
2298	2298	living, desire to be relieved of the care, support, and
2299	2299	guardianship of the adoptee.
2300	2300	1093
2301	2301	1094
2302	2302	1095
2303	2303	1096
2304	2304	1097
2305	2305	1098
2306	2306	1099
2307	2307	1100
2308	2308	1101
2309	2309	1102
2310	2310	1103
2311	2311	1104
2312	2312	1105
2313	2313	1106
2314	2314	1107
2315	2315	1108
2316	2316	1109
2317	2317	1110
2318	2318	1111
2319	2319	1112
2320	2320	1113
2321	2321	1114
2322	2322	1115
2323	2323	1116
2324	2324	1117
2325	2325	1118
2326	2326	1119
2327	2327	1120 HB190 INTRODUCED
2328	2328	Page 41
2329	2329	guardianship of the adoptee.
2330	2330	(2) Whether the biological parents or legal parents
2331	2331	have abandoned the adoptee or are otherwise unsuited to have
2332	2332	custody of the adoptee.
2333	2333	(3) Any orders, judgments, or decrees affecting the
2334	2334	custody of the adoptee or any children of any petitioner as
2335	2335	can be determined by a due diligence search.
2336	2336	(4) Any property owned by the adoptee.
2337	2337	(5) The updated medical and mental health histories of
2338	2338	the adoptee. These documents shall also be provided to the
2339	2339	petitioner or petitioners in writing before the final decree
2340	2340	is entered.
2341	2341	(6) The updated medical and mental health histories of
2342	2342	the adoptee's biological parents.
2343	2343	(7) Any other circumstances which may be relevant to
2344	2344	the placement of the adoptee with the petitioner or
2345	2345	petitioners.
2346	2346	(8) The updated letters of suitability, the updated
2347	2347	Child Abuse and Neglect Clearances, updated criminal records
2348	2348	from the county in which the petitioner or petitioners have
2349	2349	resided for the two years prior to the finalization of the
2350	2350	adoption, and updated results from the National Sex Offender
2351	2351	Public Registry.
2352	2352	(9) If applicable to the adoption, the court shall
2353	2353	ensure compliance with the Interstate Compact for the
2354	2354	Placement of Children, codified as Section 44-2-20. Proof of
2355	2355	compliance is determined by the authorized signatures of the
2356	2356	sending and receiving states on the Interstate Compact on the
2357	2357	Placement of Children Request Form.
2358	2358	1121
2359	2359	1122
2360	2360	1123
2361	2361	1124
2362	2362	1125
2363	2363	1126
2364	2364	1127
2365	2365	1128
2366	2366	1129
2367	2367	1130
2368	2368	1131
2369	2369	1132
2370	2370	1133
2371	2371	1134
2372	2372	1135
2373	2373	1136
2374	2374	1137
2375	2375	1138
2376	2376	1139
2377	2377	1140
2378	2378	1141
2379	2379	1142
2380	2380	1143
2381	2381	1144
2382	2382	1145
2383	2383	1146
2384	2384	1147
2385	2385	1148 HB190 INTRODUCED
2386	2386	Page 42
2387	2387	Placement of Children Request Form.
2388	2388	(h) Any investigation required under this section
2389	2389	shall(f) The required pre-placement and post-placement
2390	2390	investigations must be performed by one of the following:
2391	2391	(1) The State Department of Human Resources.
2392	2392	(2) A licensed child placing child-placing agency.
2393	2393	(3) A social worker licensed by the Alabama Board of
2394	2394	Social Work Examiners who is also certified by the Alabama
2395	2395	Board of Social Work Examiners for private independent
2396	2396	practice in the social casework specialty, as provided in
2397	2397	Section 34-30-3.
2398	2398	(4) An individual or agency in the petitioner's
2399	2399	residential state that is authorized by that state to perform
2400	2400	such investigations.
2401	2401	(i)(g) Notwithstanding subdivision (f) subsection (h),
2402	2402	the court on its own motion may order the post-placement any
2403	2403	investigation under this section be performed by an agency or
2404	2404	individual other than the agency placing the adoptee when the
2405	2405	court has cause to believe the post-placement investigation is
2406	2406	insufficient.
2407	2407	(h) In every adoption proceeding, after a child has
2408	2408	been placed in the home of the petitioner or petitioners, the
2409	2409	post-placement investigator must observe the adoptee and
2410	2410	interview each petitioner in his or her home as soon as
2411	2411	possible after notice of the placement but within 45 days
2412	2412	after the placement.
2413	2413	(i) The investigator shall complete and file the
2414	2414	pre-placement written investigative report with the court
2415	2415	within 60 days from receipt of notice of the proceeding and
2416	2416	1149
2417	2417	1150
2418	2418	1151
2419	2419	1152
2420	2420	1153
2421	2421	1154
2422	2422	1155
2423	2423	1156
2424	2424	1157
2425	2425	1158
2426	2426	1159
2427	2427	1160
2428	2428	1161
2429	2429	1162
2430	2430	1163
2431	2431	1164
2432	2432	1165
2433	2433	1166
2434	2434	1167
2435	2435	1168
2436	2436	1169
2437	2437	1170
2438	2438	1171
2439	2439	1172
2440	2440	1173
2441	2441	1174
2442	2442	1175
2443	2443	1176 HB190 INTRODUCED
2444	2444	Page 43
2445	2445	within 60 days from receipt of notice of the proceeding and
2446	2446	shall deliver a copy of the pre-placement investigative report
2447	2447	to each petitioner's attorney or to each petitioner appearing
2448	2448	pro se. The pre-placement investigative report shall include a
2449	2449	verification of all allegations of the petition. The
2450	2450	pre-placement investigative report shall include sufficient
2451	2451	facts for the court to determine whether there has been
2452	2452	compliance with consent or relinquishment provisions of this
2453	2453	chapter. The post-placement investigative report shall include
2454	2454	all the information enumerated within subdivisions (a)(1)
2455	2455	through (a)(10) that was not obtained in the pre-placement
2456	2456	investigation required under subsection (a). The
2457	2457	post-placement investigative report shall be submitted in a
2458	2458	form developed by the Department of Human Resources in
2459	2459	conjunction with the Alabama Probate Judges Association and
2460	2460	the Alabama Law Institute.
2461	2461	(j) Upon a showing of good cause and after notice to
2462	2462	the petitioners, the court may grant extensions of time to the
2463	2463	investigator to file an investigative report. Notwithstanding
2464	2464	this extension of time, the pre-placement and post-placement
2465	2465	investigative reports must be filed prior to the entry of the
2466	2466	final judgment.
2467	2467	(k) Notwithstanding this section, no investigations
2468	2468	shall be required for those adoptions under Sections 26-10E-26
2469	2469	and 26-10E-27 unless ordered by the court or otherwise
2470	2470	required by Article VIII of Section 44-2-20.
2471	2471	(j)(l) When an investigation has been conducted, the
2472	2472	investigatory investigative report shall not be conclusive but
2473	2473	may be considered along with other evidence.
2474	2474	1177
2475	2475	1178
2476	2476	1179
2477	2477	1180
2478	2478	1181
2479	2479	1182
2480	2480	1183
2481	2481	1184
2482	2482	1185
2483	2483	1186
2484	2484	1187
2485	2485	1188
2486	2486	1189
2487	2487	1190
2488	2488	1191
2489	2489	1192
2490	2490	1193
2491	2491	1194
2492	2492	1195
2493	2493	1196
2494	2494	1197
2495	2495	1198
2496	2496	1199
2497	2497	1200
2498	2498	1201
2499	2499	1202
2500	2500	1203
2501	2501	1204 HB190 INTRODUCED
2502	2502	Page 44
2503	2503	may be considered along with other evidence.
2504	2504	(k)(m) The court may, in its discretion, order the
2505	2505	appointment of a court representative to investigate and
2506	2506	evaluate any matters relating to adoption, including the best
2507	2507	interests interest of the adoptee
2508	2508	(l) If applicable to the adoption, the court shall
2509	2509	ensure compliance with the Interstate Compact on the Placement
2510	2510	of Children, Article 2, Chapter 2 of Title 44. Proof of
2511	2511	compliance is determined by the authorized signatures of the
2512	2512	sending and receiving states on the Interstate Compact on the
2513	2513	Placement of Children Request Form ."
2514	2514	"§26-10E-23
2515	2515	(a) Upon the filing of a pleading or a motion by a
2516	2516	party contesting the adoption, or upon transfer of a contested
2517	2517	case pursuant to Section 26-10E-3, the court shall forthwith
2518	2518	set the matter for a contested hearing to determine each of
2519	2519	the following:
2520	2520	(1) Whether the best interests interest of the adoptee
2521	2521	will be served by the adoption.
2522	2522	(2) Whether the adoptee is available for adoption by
2523	2523	each petitioner and whether each petitioner qualifies to adopt
2524	2524	an adoptee within the requirements of this chapter.
2525	2525	(3) Whether all necessary express consent, implied
2526	2526	consent, or relinquishment to the adoption have been given
2527	2527	and, if so, are valid.
2528	2528	(4) Whether an express consent or relinquishment has
2529	2529	been or may be withdrawn.
2530	2530	(b) The court shall give at least 14 days of notice of
2531	2531	the contested hearing by United States mail to all parties who
2532	2532	1205
2533	2533	1206
2534	2534	1207
2535	2535	1208
2536	2536	1209
2537	2537	1210
2538	2538	1211
2539	2539	1212
2540	2540	1213
2541	2541	1214
2542	2542	1215
2543	2543	1216
2544	2544	1217
2545	2545	1218
2546	2546	1219
2547	2547	1220
2548	2548	1221
2549	2549	1222
2550	2550	1223
2551	2551	1224
2552	2552	1225
2553	2553	1226
2554	2554	1227
2555	2555	1228
2556	2556	1229
2557	2557	1230
2558	2558	1231
2559	2559	1232 HB190 INTRODUCED
2560	2560	Page 45
2561	2561	the contested hearing by United States mail to all parties who
2562	2562	have appeared before the court, unless notice has been waived
2563	2563	in writing. The party contesting the adoption and each
2564	2564	petitioner shall be present at the contested hearing. A
2565	2565	guardian ad litem shall appear and represent the interests
2566	2566	interest of the adoptee. Any contestant who is an individual
2567	2567	with a developmental disability or a minor shall also be
2568	2568	represented by a guardian ad litem in addition to any counsel
2569	2569	retained by the contestant.
2570	2570	(c) The court may continue the hearing from time to
2571	2571	time to permit notice to all parties, or to permit further
2572	2572	discovery, observation, investigation, or consideration of any
2573	2573	fact or circumstance affecting the granting or denial of the
2574	2574	adoption petition. The court may order the investigator
2575	2575	appointed under Section 26-10E-19, or a court representative ,
2576	2576	to investigate allegations underlying the contest or the
2577	2577	whereabouts of any individual entitled to notice of the
2578	2578	proceeding.
2579	2579	(d) After hearing evidence at a At the conclusion of
2580	2580	the contested hearing, the court shall decide the contest as
2581	2581	soon as practicable. If it is determined by the court that the
2582	2582	adoption petition should be denied, the court shall either
2583	2583	transfer the case to the appropriate juvenile court pursuant
2584	2584	to Section 26-10E-3 for the limited purpose of considering
2585	2585	termination of parental rights or it shall enter a final
2586	2586	judgment denying the adoption. Otherwise, the court shall
2587	2587	enter a final judgment denying the contest and, subject to any
2588	2588	post judgment motions and appellate proceedings, the probate
2589	2589	court shall proceed as provided in Section 26-10E-24. The
2590	2590	1233
2591	2591	1234
2592	2592	1235
2593	2593	1236
2594	2594	1237
2595	2595	1238
2596	2596	1239
2597	2597	1240
2598	2598	1241
2599	2599	1242
2600	2600	1243
2601	2601	1244
2602	2602	1245
2603	2603	1246
2604	2604	1247
2605	2605	1248
2606	2606	1249
2607	2607	1250
2608	2608	1251
2609	2609	1252
2610	2610	1253
2611	2611	1254
2612	2612	1255
2613	2613	1256
2614	2614	1257
2615	2615	1258
2616	2616	1259
2617	2617	1260 HB190 INTRODUCED
2618	2618	Page 46
2619	2619	court shall proceed as provided in Section 26-10E-24. The
2620	2620	entry of a final judgment denying a contest terminates the
2621	2621	status of the contestant as a party to the adoption
2622	2622	proceedings and terminates the contestant's right to notice of
2623	2623	further adoption proceedings.
2624	2624	(e) At the contested hearing, the court shall consider
2625	2625	any motion of the petitioner or petitioners to obtain
2626	2626	reimbursement for all reasonable medical and living expenses
2627	2627	incidental to the care and well-being of the adoptee for the
2628	2628	time the adoptee resided with the petitioner or petitioners.
2629	2629	If the adoption is denied, the probate court, unless just
2630	2630	cause is shown otherwise by the contestant, shall order such
2631	2631	reimbursement.
2632	2632	(f)(1) Following the entry of a final judgment denying
2633	2633	a petition for adoption, the court shall enter a temporary
2634	2634	custody order determining each of the following:
2635	2635	a. Whether it is in the best interests interest of the
2636	2636	minor child for the petitioner or petitioners to retain
2637	2637	custody of the minor child or for the minor child to be
2638	2638	returned to the person or agency with legal custody of the
2639	2639	minor child prior to the filing of the petition.
2640	2640	b. Whether a written report should be sent to the
2641	2641	county department of human resources pursuant to Chapter 14 of
2642	2642	Title 26 for a further determination concerning custody.
2643	2643	(2) The custody determination shall remain in effect
2644	2644	only until another court of competent jurisdiction enters a
2645	2645	custodial order regarding the minor child.
2646	2646	(g) Upon denial of a contest, the court, unless just
2647	2647	cause is shown otherwise by the contestant, shall issue an
2648	2648	1261
2649	2649	1262
2650	2650	1263
2651	2651	1264
2652	2652	1265
2653	2653	1266
2654	2654	1267
2655	2655	1268
2656	2656	1269
2657	2657	1270
2658	2658	1271
2659	2659	1272
2660	2660	1273
2661	2661	1274
2662	2662	1275
2663	2663	1276
2664	2664	1277
2665	2665	1278
2666	2666	1279
2667	2667	1280
2668	2668	1281
2669	2669	1282
2670	2670	1283
2671	2671	1284
2672	2672	1285
2673	2673	1286
2674	2674	1287
2675	2675	1288 HB190 INTRODUCED
2676	2676	Page 47
2677	2677	cause is shown otherwise by the contestant, shall issue an
2678	2678	order for reimbursement to the petitioner or petitioners of
2679	2679	the legal costs incurred by each petitioner incidental to the
2680	2680	contest."
2681	2681	"§26-10E-24
2682	2682	(a) Once the petition for adoption and any necessary
2683	2683	accompanying documentation has been filed, the court shall set
2684	2684	a dispositional hearing to take place as soon as practicable,
2685	2685	but no later than 120 days after the filing. Upon good cause
2686	2686	shown, the court may extend the time for the dispositional
2687	2687	hearing.
2688	2688	(b) At the dispositional hearing, the court shall
2689	2689	approve the adoption if it finds, based on clear and
2690	2690	convincing evidence, all of the following:
2691	2691	(1) The adoptee has been in the actual physical custody
2692	2692	of the petitioner or petitioners for a period of 60 days,
2693	2693	unless for good cause shown, this requirement is waived by the
2694	2694	court.
2695	2695	(2) All necessary consents, relinquishments,
2696	2696	terminations, or waivers have been obtained and, if
2697	2697	appropriate, filed with the court.
2698	2698	(3) All documentation required pursuant to Section
2699	2699	26-10E-19 or 26-10E-19.1, where applicable, has been filed
2700	2700	with the court, unless excluded under Sections 26-10E-26 and
2701	2701	26-10E-27.
2702	2702	(4) Service of the notice of pendency of the adoption
2703	2703	proceeding has been made or dispensed with as to all persons
2704	2704	entitled to receive notice under Section 26-10E-17.
2705	2705	(5) All contests brought under Section 26-10E-23 have
2706	2706	1289
2707	2707	1290
2708	2708	1291
2709	2709	1292
2710	2710	1293
2711	2711	1294
2712	2712	1295
2713	2713	1296
2714	2714	1297
2715	2715	1298
2716	2716	1299
2717	2717	1300
2718	2718	1301
2719	2719	1302
2720	2720	1303
2721	2721	1304
2722	2722	1305
2723	2723	1306
2724	2724	1307
2725	2725	1308
2726	2726	1309
2727	2727	1310
2728	2728	1311
2729	2729	1312
2730	2730	1313
2731	2731	1314
2732	2732	1315
2733	2733	1316 HB190 INTRODUCED
2734	2734	Page 48
2735	2735	(5) All contests brought under Section 26-10E-23 have
2736	2736	been resolved in favor of the petitioner or petitioners.
2737	2737	(6) Each petitioner is a suitable adoptive parent and
2738	2738	desires to establish a parent and child relationship between
2739	2739	himself or herself and the adoptee.
2740	2740	(7) That the best interests interest of the adoptee are
2741	2741	is served by the adoption.
2742	2742	(8) That each petitioner has been cleared through each
2743	2743	of the following background checks:
2744	2744	a. Letters of suitability, pursuant to Chapter 13 of
2745	2745	Title 38, for each adult living in the home of the petitioner
2746	2746	or petitioners based on the information available in this
2747	2747	state.
2748	2748	b. Child abuse and neglect clearances pursuant to the
2749	2749	Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, Public Law
2750	2750	109-248, as amended, for all household members 14 years of age
2751	2751	and older from any state in which any petitioners have resided
2752	2752	in the preceding five years.
2753	2753	c. A printed copy of the search on the Dru Sjodin
2754	2754	National Sex Offender Public Website for all household members
2755	2755	14 years of age and older. The Adam Walsh Child Protection and
2756	2756	Safety Act, U.S. Public Law 109-248, including each of the
2757	2757	following:
2758	2758	1. State and federal criminal history.
2759	2759	2. Child abuse and neglect history.
2760	2760	3. Sex Offender Registry history.
2761	2761	b. Child support payment history.
2762	2762	(9) That the petitioner has no known history of failure
2763	2763	to pay child support.
2764	2764	1317
2765	2765	1318
2766	2766	1319
2767	2767	1320
2768	2768	1321
2769	2769	1322
2770	2770	1323
2771	2771	1324
2772	2772	1325
2773	2773	1326
2774	2774	1327
2775	2775	1328
2776	2776	1329
2777	2777	1330
2778	2778	1331
2779	2779	1332
2780	2780	1333
2781	2781	1334
2782	2782	1335
2783	2783	1336
2784	2784	1337
2785	2785	1338
2786	2786	1339
2787	2787	1340
2788	2788	1341
2789	2789	1342
2790	2790	1343
2791	2791	1344 HB190 INTRODUCED
2792	2792	Page 49
2793	2793	to pay child support.
2794	2794	(10) A sworn statement of full accounting of
2795	2795	disbursements pursuant to Section 26-10E-23 26-10E-22, if
2796	2796	applicable, has been filed.
2797	2797	(11)(10) All other requirements of this chapter have
2798	2798	been met.
2799	2799	(c) The court shall enter its finding in a written
2800	2800	final judgment of adoption, which shall:
2801	2801	(1) Shall also include the new name of the adoptee
2802	2802	after adoption, except: (i) in cases of relative adoption
2803	2803	under Section 26-10E-27 where the adoptee shares the
2804	2804	relative's same last name; or (ii) in cases where an adoptee
2805	2805	is 14 years of age or older and does not want to change his or
2806	2806	her name as provided in Section 26-10E-28, provided that the
2807	2807	final judgment may and shall not include any other name by
2808	2808	which the adoptee has been known or any names of the former
2809	2809	parent.;
2810	2810	(2) Shall The final judgment of adoption shall further
2811	2811	order that, from the date of the entry of judgment, the
2812	2812	adoptee shall be the child of the petitioner or petitioners,
2813	2813	and that the adoptee shall be accorded the status set forth in
2814	2814	Section 26-10E-28 ; and
2815	2815	(3) Shall include any other information required by
2816	2816	federal law or federal regulation ."
2817	2817	"§26-10E-26
2818	2818	A stepparent of the adoptee may petition for adoption
2819	2819	of an adoptee under this chapter, except that:
2820	2820	(1) Before the entry of the final judgment, the adoptee
2821	2821	must have resided for a period of one year with the stepparent
2822	2822	1345
2823	2823	1346
2824	2824	1347
2825	2825	1348
2826	2826	1349
2827	2827	1350
2828	2828	1351
2829	2829	1352
2830	2830	1353
2831	2831	1354
2832	2832	1355
2833	2833	1356
2834	2834	1357
2835	2835	1358
2836	2836	1359
2837	2837	1360
2838	2838	1361
2839	2839	1362
2840	2840	1363
2841	2841	1364
2842	2842	1365
2843	2843	1366
2844	2844	1367
2845	2845	1368
2846	2846	1369
2847	2847	1370
2848	2848	1371
2849	2849	1372 HB190 INTRODUCED
2850	2850	Page 50
2851	2851	must have resided for a period of one year with the stepparent
2852	2852	petitioner.
2853	2853	(2)a. A limited An investigation shall be conducted to
2854	2854	determine the suitability of the stepparent petitioner and the
2855	2855	home in which the adoptee will reside resides, and the report
2856	2856	of the investigation, which shall include the information
2857	2857	required by subdivisions 26-10E-19(a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(14) ,
2858	2858	but is not limited to, all of the following:
2859	2859	1. Excluding the legal parent of the adoptee, letters
2860	2860	of suitability pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 38, for each
2861	2861	adult living in the home of the petitioner or petitioners
2862	2862	based on the information available in this state.
2863	2863	2. Excluding the legal parent of the adoptee, child
2864	2864	abuse and neglect clearances pursuant to the Adam Walsh Child
2865	2865	Protection and Safety Act, Public Law 109-248, as amended, for
2866	2866	all household members 14 years of age and older from any state
2867	2867	in which any petitioners have resided in the preceding five
2868	2868	years.
2869	2869	3. Excluding the legal parent of the adoptee, a printed
2870	2870	copy of the search on the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender
2871	2871	Public Website for all household members 14 years of age and
2872	2872	older.
2873	2873	4. A home safety inspection indicating that the home of
2874	2874	the petitioner or petitioners is safe for adoptee's residency.
2875	2875	b. The limited investigation and which may also include
2876	2876	other information required by Section 26-10E-19 (a) as directed
2877	2877	by the court,. The limited investigation shall be filed with
2878	2878	the court no later than within 30 days of the date of the
2879	2879	filing of the petition.
2880	2880	1373
2881	2881	1374
2882	2882	1375
2883	2883	1376
2884	2884	1377
2885	2885	1378
2886	2886	1379
2887	2887	1380
2888	2888	1381
2889	2889	1382
2890	2890	1383
2891	2891	1384
2892	2892	1385
2893	2893	1386
2894	2894	1387
2895	2895	1388
2896	2896	1389
2897	2897	1390
2898	2898	1391
2899	2899	1392
2900	2900	1393
2901	2901	1394
2902	2902	1395
2903	2903	1396
2904	2904	1397
2905	2905	1398
2906	2906	1399
2907	2907	1400 HB190 INTRODUCED
2908	2908	Page 51
2909	2909	filing of the petition.
2910	2910	(3) The court, in its discretion, may require
2911	2911	additional information.
2912	2912	(4) The investigative report shall be submitted in a
2913	2913	form developed by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and
2914	2914	the Alabama Law Institute. The investigative report shall
2915	2915	contain information obtained within 12 months preceding the
2916	2916	hearing on the final judgment of adoption.
2917	2917	(5) The investigation shall be performed by one of the
2918	2918	following:
2919	2919	a. The State Department of Human Resources.
2920	2920	b. A licensed child-placing agency.
2921	2921	c. A social worker licensed by the Alabama Board of
2922	2922	Social Work Examiners who is also certified by the Alabama
2923	2923	Board of Social Work Examiners for private independent
2924	2924	practice in the social casework specialty, as provided in
2925	2925	Section 34-30-3.
2926	2926	(6) Other than those individuals and entities listed in
2927	2927	subdivision (5), the court on its own motion may order the
2928	2928	investigation be performed by an alternative individual or
2929	2929	entity when the court has cause to believe the investigation
2930	2930	is insufficient.
2931	2931	(7) When an investigation has been conducted, the
2932	2932	investigative report shall not be conclusive but may be
2933	2933	considered along with other evidence.
2934	2934	(8) The court may order the appointment of a court
2935	2935	representative to investigate and evaluate any matters
2936	2936	relating to adoption, including the best interest of the
2937	2937	adoptee.
2938	2938	1401
2939	2939	1402
2940	2940	1403
2941	2941	1404
2942	2942	1405
2943	2943	1406
2944	2944	1407
2945	2945	1408
2946	2946	1409
2947	2947	1410
2948	2948	1411
2949	2949	1412
2950	2950	1413
2951	2951	1414
2952	2952	1415
2953	2953	1416
2954	2954	1417
2955	2955	1418
2956	2956	1419
2957	2957	1420
2958	2958	1421
2959	2959	1422
2960	2960	1423
2961	2961	1424
2962	2962	1425
2963	2963	1426
2964	2964	1427
2965	2965	1428 HB190 INTRODUCED
2966	2966	Page 52
2967	2967	adoptee.
2968	2968	(9) No report of fees and charges under Section
2969	2969	26-10E-22 shall be made unless ordered by the court."
2970	2970	"§26-10E-27
2971	2971	Subject to Section 26-10E-5, a grandfather, a
2972	2972	grandmother, a great-grandfather, a great-grandmother, a
2973	2973	great-uncle, a great-aunt, a brother, a half-brother, a
2974	2974	sister, a half-sister, an aunt, or an uncle of the first
2975	2975	degree and their respective spouses, if any, may adopt a minor
2976	2976	grandchild, a minor great-grandchild, a minor great-niece, a
2977	2977	minor great-nephew, a minor brother, a minor half-brother, a
2978	2978	minor sister, a minor half-sister, a minor nephew, a minor
2979	2979	niece, in accordance with this chapter, except that:
2980	2980	(1) Before the final judgment of adoption is entered,
2981	2981	the adoptee must have resided for a period of one year with
2982	2982	the petitioner or petitioners.
2983	2983	(2)a. An investigation shall be conducted to determine
2984	2984	the suitability of each petitioner and the home in which the
2985	2985	adoptee will reside, and the report of the investigation ,
2986	2986	which shall include the information required by subdivisions
2987	2987	26-10E-19(a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(14), shall include, but is
2988	2988	not limited to, all of the following:
2989	2989	1. Letters of suitability, pursuant to Chapter 13 of
2990	2990	Title 38, for each adult living in the home of the petitioner
2991	2991	or petitioners based on the information available in this
2992	2992	state.
2993	2993	2. Child abuse and neglect clearances pursuant to the
2994	2994	Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, Public Law
2995	2995	109-248, as amended, for all household members 14 years of age
2996	2996	1429
2997	2997	1430
2998	2998	1431
2999	2999	1432
3000	3000	1433
3001	3001	1434
3002	3002	1435
3003	3003	1436
3004	3004	1437
3005	3005	1438
3006	3006	1439
3007	3007	1440
3008	3008	1441
3009	3009	1442
3010	3010	1443
3011	3011	1444
3012	3012	1445
3013	3013	1446
3014	3014	1447
3015	3015	1448
3016	3016	1449
3017	3017	1450
3018	3018	1451
3019	3019	1452
3020	3020	1453
3021	3021	1454
3022	3022	1455
3023	3023	1456 HB190 INTRODUCED
3024	3024	Page 53
3025	3025	109-248, as amended, for all household members 14 years of age
3026	3026	and older from any state in which any petitioners have resided
3027	3027	in the preceding five years.
3028	3028	3. A printed copy of the search on the Dru Sjodin
3029	3029	National Sex Offender Public Website for all household members
3030	3030	14 years of age and older.
3031	3031	4. A home safety inspection indicating that the home of
3032	3032	the petitioner or petitioners is safe for adoptee's residency.
3033	3033	b. The limited investigation and which may also include
3034	3034	other information required by Section 26-10E-19 (a) as directed
3035	3035	by the court, and shall be filed with the court . The limited
3036	3036	investigation shall be filed with the court within no later
3037	3037	than 30 days of the date of the filing of the petition.
3038	3038	(3) The court may require additional information.
3039	3039	(4) The investigative report shall be submitted in a
3040	3040	form developed by the Alabama Probate Judges Association and
3041	3041	the Alabama Law Institute. The investigative report shall
3042	3042	contain information obtained within 12 months preceding the
3043	3043	hearing on the final judgment of adoption.
3044	3044	(5) The investigation shall be performed by one of the
3045	3045	following:
3046	3046	a. The State Department of Human Resources.
3047	3047	b. A licensed child-placing agency.
3048	3048	c. A social worker licensed by the Alabama Board of
3049	3049	Social Work Examiners who is also certified by the Alabama
3050	3050	Board of Social Work Examiners for private independent
3051	3051	practice in the social casework specialty, as provided in
3052	3052	Section 34-30-3.
3053	3053	(6) Other than those individuals and entities listed in
3054	3054	1457
3055	3055	1458
3056	3056	1459
3057	3057	1460
3058	3058	1461
3059	3059	1462
3060	3060	1463
3061	3061	1464
3062	3062	1465
3063	3063	1466
3064	3064	1467
3065	3065	1468
3066	3066	1469
3067	3067	1470
3068	3068	1471
3069	3069	1472
3070	3070	1473
3071	3071	1474
3072	3072	1475
3073	3073	1476
3074	3074	1477
3075	3075	1478
3076	3076	1479
3077	3077	1480
3078	3078	1481
3079	3079	1482
3080	3080	1483
3081	3081	1484 HB190 INTRODUCED
3082	3082	Page 54
3083	3083	(6) Other than those individuals and entities listed in
3084	3084	subdivision (5), the court on its own motion may order the
3085	3085	investigation be performed by an alternative individual or
3086	3086	entity when the court has cause to believe the investigation
3087	3087	is insufficient.
3088	3088	(7) When an investigation has been conducted, the
3089	3089	investigative report shall not be conclusive but may be
3090	3090	considered along with other evidence.
3091	3091	(8) The court may order the appointment of a court
3092	3092	representative to investigate and evaluate any matters
3093	3093	relating to adoption, including the best interest of the
3094	3094	adoptee.
3095	3095	(9) No report of fees and charges under Section
3096	3096	26-10E-22 shall be made unless ordered by the court."
3097	3097	"§26-10E-29
3098	3098	(a) A final judgment of adoption automatically vacates
3099	3099	any judgment or order providing a grandparent visitation with
3100	3100	an adoptee, unless the adoptee has been adopted pursuant to
3101	3101	Section 26-10E-26 or Section 26-10E-27.
3102	3102	(b) In an adoption case proceeding under Section
3103	3103	26-10E-26 or Section 26-10E-27, pre-adoption or post-adoption
3104	3104	grandparent visitation rights may be granted, maintained, or
3105	3105	modified by the court at any time before or after the final
3106	3106	judgment of adoption is entered if it is in the best interests
3107	3107	interest of the adoptee.
3108	3108	(c) In the case of a stepparent adoption under Section
3109	3109	26-10E-26, no grandparent visitation rights may be granted,
3110	3110	maintained, or modified over the objection of the spouse of
3111	3111	the adoptive stepparent absent compliance with Section
3112	3112	1485
3113	3113	1486
3114	3114	1487
3115	3115	1488
3116	3116	1489
3117	3117	1490
3118	3118	1491
3119	3119	1492
3120	3120	1493
3121	3121	1494
3122	3122	1495
3123	3123	1496
3124	3124	1497
3125	3125	1498
3126	3126	1499
3127	3127	1500
3128	3128	1501
3129	3129	1502
3130	3130	1503
3131	3131	1504
3132	3132	1505
3133	3133	1506
3134	3134	1507
3135	3135	1508
3136	3136	1509
3137	3137	1510
3138	3138	1511
3139	3139	1512 HB190 INTRODUCED
3140	3140	Page 55
3141	3141	the adoptive stepparent absent compliance with Section
3142	3142	30-3-4.2. Otherwise, Section 30-3-4.2 shall not apply in a
3143	3143	case involving an adoptee but grandparent visitation rights
3144	3144	shall be determined based upon the best interests interest of
3145	3145	the adoptee.
3146	3146	(d) An order or judgment regarding grandparent
3147	3147	visitation made in a case under this section may only be
3148	3148	vacated or modified by the court that entered the order or
3149	3149	judgment."
3150	3150	"§26-10E-30
3151	3151	(a) The records in adoption proceedings shall be open
3152	3152	to inspection only to each petitioner or his or her attorney,
3153	3153	the investigator appointed under Section 26-10E-19, any
3154	3154	guardian ad litem appointed for the adoptee under Section
3155	3155	26-10E-21, and any attorney retained by or appointed to
3156	3156	represent the adoptee. These records shall be open to other
3157	3157	persons only upon order of court for good cause shown.
3158	3158	(b) All hearings in adoption proceedings shall be
3159	3159	confidential and shall be held in closed court without
3160	3160	admittance of any individual other than the parties and their
3161	3161	counsel, except with leave of court.
3162	3162	(c)a. Upon entry of the final judgment of adoption, all
3163	3163	papers, pleadings, and other documents pertaining to the
3164	3164	adoption shall be sealed, kept as a permanent record of the
3165	3165	court, and withheld from inspection, except as otherwise
3166	3166	provided in this section and in Section 22-9A-12(c). No
3167	3167	individual shall have access to such records except upon order
3168	3168	of the court in which the final judgment of adoption was
3169	3169	entered for good cause shown, except as provided in Section
3170	3170	1513
3171	3171	1514
3172	3172	1515
3173	3173	1516
3174	3174	1517
3175	3175	1518
3176	3176	1519
3177	3177	1520
3178	3178	1521
3179	3179	1522
3180	3180	1523
3181	3181	1524
3182	3182	1525
3183	3183	1526
3184	3184	1527
3185	3185	1528
3186	3186	1529
3187	3187	1530
3188	3188	1531
3189	3189	1532
3190	3190	1533
3191	3191	1534
3192	3192	1535
3193	3193	1536
3194	3194	1537
3195	3195	1538
3196	3196	1539
3197	3197	1540 HB190 INTRODUCED
3198	3198	Page 56
3199	3199	entered for good cause shown, except as provided in Section
3200	3200	22-9A-12(c).
3201	3201	b. Notwithstanding paragraph a., the adoptive parents,
3202	3202	their attorney of record, or the adoptee upon reaching the age
3203	3203	of majority as provided in Section 26-1-1 may petition the
3204	3204	court for a hearing to obtain a copy of the final judgment of
3205	3205	adoption or the interlocutory order of adoption.
3206	3206	(d) When the court enters a final judgment of adoption,
3207	3207	all licensed agencies or individuals shall send a sealed
3208	3208	information summary sheet and the non-identifying information
3209	3209	referred to in subsection (g) in a separate summary sheet to
3210	3210	the State Department of Human Resources. All of the following
3211	3211	information shall be included:
3212	3212	(1) The birth name and adoptive name of the adoptee.
3213	3213	(2) The date and place of birth of the adoptee, except
3214	3214	in the case of abandonment.
3215	3215	(3) The circumstances under which the adoptee came to
3216	3216	be placed for adoption.
3217	3217	(4) The physical and mental condition of the adoptee,
3218	3218	insofar as this can be determined by the aid of competent
3219	3219	medical authority.
3220	3220	(5) The name and last known address, dates of birth,
3221	3221	and Social Security numbers, if known, of the biological
3222	3222	parents of the adoptee.
3223	3223	(6) The age of the biological parents at the adoptee's
3224	3224	birth.
3225	3225	(7) The nationality, ethnic background, race, and
3226	3226	religious preference of the biological parents of the adoptee.
3227	3227	(8) The educational level of the biological parents of
3228	3228	1541
3229	3229	1542
3230	3230	1543
3231	3231	1544
3232	3232	1545
3233	3233	1546
3234	3234	1547
3235	3235	1548
3236	3236	1549
3237	3237	1550
3238	3238	1551
3239	3239	1552
3240	3240	1553
3241	3241	1554
3242	3242	1555
3243	3243	1556
3244	3244	1557
3245	3245	1558
3246	3246	1559
3247	3247	1560
3248	3248	1561
3249	3249	1562
3250	3250	1563
3251	3251	1564
3252	3252	1565
3253	3253	1566
3254	3254	1567
3255	3255	1568 HB190 INTRODUCED
3256	3256	Page 57
3257	3257	(8) The educational level of the biological parents of
3258	3258	the adoptee.
3259	3259	(9) Any pre-adoptive brother or sister relationships of
3260	3260	the adoptee.
3261	3261	(10) Whether the identity and location of the
3262	3262	biological father of the adoptee is known or ascertainable.
3263	3263	(e) The State Department of Human Resources and the
3264	3264	investigating agency's adoption records must shall be kept for
3265	3265	a minimum term of 75 years. If a licensed child placing
3266	3266	child-placing agency ceases to operate in Alabama, all
3267	3267	adoption records of the agency, including those of the
3268	3268	adoptee, the biological family, and the adoptive family, shall
3269	3269	be transferred to the department.
3270	3270	(f) Except as otherwise provided in this section and in
3271	3271	Section 22-9A-12(c), all files of the investigating office or
3272	3272	agency appointed by the court under Section 26-10E-19 shall be
3273	3273	confidential and shall be withheld from inspection except upon
3274	3274	order of the court for good cause shown.
3275	3275	(g) Notwithstanding subsection (f), the State
3276	3276	Department of Human Resources or the licensed investigating
3277	3277	agency appointed by the court pursuant to Section 26-10E-19(b)
3278	3278	and (c) Section 26-10E-19(f) and (i) , shall furnish, upon
3279	3279	request, to the petitioner or petitioners, the biological
3280	3280	parents, or an adoptee 19 years of age or older,
3281	3281	non-identifying information which shall be limited to the
3282	3282	following:
3283	3283	(1) The health and medical histories of the adoptee's
3284	3284	biological parents.
3285	3285	(2) The health and medical history of the adoptee.
3286	3286	1569
3287	3287	1570
3288	3288	1571
3289	3289	1572
3290	3290	1573
3291	3291	1574
3292	3292	1575
3293	3293	1576
3294	3294	1577
3295	3295	1578
3296	3296	1579
3297	3297	1580
3298	3298	1581
3299	3299	1582
3300	3300	1583
3301	3301	1584
3302	3302	1585
3303	3303	1586
3304	3304	1587
3305	3305	1588
3306	3306	1589
3307	3307	1590
3308	3308	1591
3309	3309	1592
3310	3310	1593
3311	3311	1594
3312	3312	1595
3313	3313	1596 HB190 INTRODUCED
3314	3314	Page 58
3315	3315	(2) The health and medical history of the adoptee.
3316	3316	(3) The adoptee's general family background, including
3317	3317	ancestral information, without name references or geographical
3318	3318	designations.
3319	3319	(4) Physical descriptions of the adoptee's biological
3320	3320	parents.
3321	3321	(5) The length of time the adoptee was in the care and
3322	3322	custody of anyone other than the petitioner.
3323	3323	(6) The circumstances under which the adoptee came to
3324	3324	be placed for adoption.
3325	3325	(h) Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if
3326	3326	either the legal mother or the putative or legal father before
3327	3327	the adoption has given written consent under oath to
3328	3328	disclosure of identifying information that is not otherwise
3329	3329	provided in this section and in Section 22-9A-12(c), the State
3330	3330	Department of Human Resources or a licensed child placing
3331	3331	child-placing agency shall release the identifying
3332	3332	information.
3333	3333	(i) If the court finds that any person has a compelling
3334	3334	need for non-identifying information not otherwise available
3335	3335	under subsection (e) which can only be obtained through
3336	3336	contact with the adoptee, the adoptee's parents, the putative
3337	3337	father or the legal father of the adoptee before the adoption,
3338	3338	or the adoptee's adoptive parents, the court shall direct the
3339	3339	agency or a mutually agreed upon intermediary to furnish the
3340	3340	information or to establish contact with the adoptee, the
3341	3341	adoptee's biological parents, the putative or legal father of
3342	3342	the adoptee before the adoption, or the adoptive parents of
3343	3343	the adoptee in order to obtain the information needed without
3344	3344	1597
3345	3345	1598
3346	3346	1599
3347	3347	1600
3348	3348	1601
3349	3349	1602
3350	3350	1603
3351	3351	1604
3352	3352	1605
3353	3353	1606
3354	3354	1607
3355	3355	1608
3356	3356	1609
3357	3357	1610
3358	3358	1611
3359	3359	1612
3360	3360	1613
3361	3361	1614
3362	3362	1615
3363	3363	1616
3364	3364	1617
3365	3365	1618
3366	3366	1619
3367	3367	1620
3368	3368	1621
3369	3369	1622
3370	3370	1623
3371	3371	1624 HB190 INTRODUCED
3372	3372	Page 59
3373	3373	the adoptee in order to obtain the information needed without
3374	3374	disclosure of identifying information to or about the
3375	3375	applicant. The information then shall be filed with the court
3376	3376	and released to the applicant within the discretion of the
3377	3377	court. However, the identity and whereabouts of any
3378	3378	individuals contacted shall remain confidential.
3379	3379	(j) Notwithstanding any subsection of this section to
3380	3380	the contrary, when an adoptee reaches 19 years of age, he or
3381	3381	she may petition the court for the disclosure of identifying
3382	3382	information which is not otherwise provided for in this
3383	3383	section or in Section 22-9A-12(c) if a former parent has not
3384	3384	previously given consent under subsection (h). The court shall
3385	3385	direct an intermediary to contact the former parents to
3386	3386	determine if they will consent to the release of identifying
3387	3387	information. If the former parent or parents consent to the
3388	3388	release of identifying information the court shall so direct.
3389	3389	If the former parent or parents are deceased, cannot be found,
3390	3390	or do not consent to the release of identifying information,
3391	3391	the court shall weigh the interest and rights of all the
3392	3392	parties and determine if the identifying information should be
3393	3393	released without the consent of the former parent.
3394	3394	(k) The court shall have jurisdiction to issue any
3395	3395	orders deemed necessary to protect the confidentiality of the
3396	3396	adoption or adoption proceedings, including, but not limited
3397	3397	to, any protective order or injunction to prevent or limit the
3398	3398	dissemination of any information contained in confidential or
3399	3399	sealed records or any other information identifying the
3400	3400	adoptee, the parties, or the witnesses in an adoption
3401	3401	proceeding."
3402	3402	1625
3403	3403	1626
3404	3404	1627
3405	3405	1628
3406	3406	1629
3407	3407	1630
3408	3408	1631
3409	3409	1632
3410	3410	1633
3411	3411	1634
3412	3412	1635
3413	3413	1636
3414	3414	1637
3415	3415	1638
3416	3416	1639
3417	3417	1640
3418	3418	1641
3419	3419	1642
3420	3420	1643
3421	3421	1644
3422	3422	1645
3423	3423	1646
3424	3424	1647
3425	3425	1648
3426	3426	1649
3427	3427	1650
3428	3428	1651
3429	3429	1652 HB190 INTRODUCED
3430	3430	Page 60
3431	3431	proceeding."
3432	3432	"§26-10E-31
3433	3433	(a) Within 10 days of the final judgment being entered,
3434	3434	the judge or the clerk of the court shall send a copy of the
3435	3435	certified final judgment of adoption to the State Department
3436	3436	of Human Resources electronically or by United States mail and
3437	3437	shall send a copy of the certified final judgment of adoption
3438	3438	to the Office of Vital Statistics electronically or by United
3439	3439	States mail with the report of adoption in the format
3440	3440	developed by the Office of Vital Statistics.
3441	3441	(b) Upon receipt of a copy of a certified final
3442	3442	judgment of adoption from the judge or the clerk of the court
3443	3443	for an individual born in this state, the Office of Vital
3444	3444	Statistics shall prepare a new record of birth reflecting the
3445	3445	registrant's new name and the name of each adoptive parent as
3446	3446	contained in the final judgment and report of adoption. The
3447	3447	Office of Vital Statistics shall then place the evidence of
3448	3448	adoption along with the original certificate of birth in a
3449	3449	sealed file. A Certificate of Foreign Birth and sealed file,
3450	3450	upon request, shall be created for a foreign-born individual
3451	3451	adopted in a court in this state as provided in Section
3452	3452	22-9A-12(i).
3453	3453	(c) The new certificate of birth shall be prepared on
3454	3454	the form or in the format prescribed by the Office of Vital
3455	3455	Statistics following the requirements in Section 22-9A-12,
3456	3456	Section 22-9A-19, and Title 420 of the Alabama Administrative
3457	3457	Code, or any other rule adopted by the State Board of Health.
3458	3458	(d) There shall be no more than two parents listed on a
3459	3459	new or amended birth certificate. If two parents are
3460	3460	1653
3461	3461	1654
3462	3462	1655
3463	3463	1656
3464	3464	1657
3465	3465	1658
3466	3466	1659
3467	3467	1660
3468	3468	1661
3469	3469	1662
3470	3470	1663
3471	3471	1664
3472	3472	1665
3473	3473	1666
3474	3474	1667
3475	3475	1668
3476	3476	1669
3477	3477	1670
3478	3478	1671
3479	3479	1672
3480	3480	1673
3481	3481	1674
3482	3482	1675
3483	3483	1676
3484	3484	1677
3485	3485	1678
3486	3486	1679
3487	3487	1680 HB190 INTRODUCED
3488	3488	Page 61
3489	3489	new or amended birth certificate. If two parents are
3490	3490	designated in the final judgment of adoption, those
3491	3491	individuals are required to be married to each other at the
3492	3492	time the final judgment of adoption is entered.
3493	3493	(e) A new certificate of birth shall be prepared by the
3494	3494	Office of Vital Statistics in accordance with the current laws
3495	3495	and rules of this state following a final judgment of adoption
3496	3496	being entered in another state, the District of Columbia, a
3497	3497	territory of the United States, or a foreign country.
3498	3498	(f) Except as otherwise provided by Section
3499	3499	22-9A-12(c), after the new birth certificate has been filed,
3500	3500	the original birth certificate and the evidence of adoption
3501	3501	are not subject to inspection except upon order of a court of
3502	3502	competent jurisdiction for good cause shown."
3503	3503	"§26-10E-32
3504	3504	Only a parent, a parent of a deceased parent, or a
3505	3505	relative of the degree of relationship specified in Section
3506	3506	26-10E-27, the State Department of Human Resources, a licensed
3507	3507	child placing child-placing agency, or an agency approved by
3508	3508	the department may place, or facilitate the placement of, a
3509	3509	minor for adoption. No person or entity other than the
3510	3510	department or a licensed child placing child-placing agency
3511	3511	shall engage in the business of placing, or facilitating the
3512	3512	placement of, minors for adoption. Any individual or entity
3513	3513	making more than two separate and distinctive placements of
3514	3514	minors who are unrelated to the petitioner or petitioners for
3515	3515	adoption within the preceding 12-month period shall be deemed
3516	3516	to be in the business of placing minors for adoption. Any
3517	3517	other person who places, or facilitates the placement of, a
3518	3518	1681
3519	3519	1682
3520	3520	1683
3521	3521	1684
3522	3522	1685
3523	3523	1686
3524	3524	1687
3525	3525	1688
3526	3526	1689
3527	3527	1690
3528	3528	1691
3529	3529	1692
3530	3530	1693
3531	3531	1694
3532	3532	1695
3533	3533	1696
3534	3534	1697
3535	3535	1698
3536	3536	1699
3537	3537	1700
3538	3538	1701
3539	3539	1702
3540	3540	1703
3541	3541	1704
3542	3542	1705
3543	3543	1706
3544	3544	1707
3545	3545	1708 HB190 INTRODUCED
3546	3546	Page 62
3547	3547	other person who places, or facilitates the placement of, a
3548	3548	minor for adoption is, upon the first conviction, guilty of a
3549	3549	Class A misdemeanor and, upon subsequent convictions, is
3550	3550	guilty of a Class C felony. This section does not intend to
3551	3551	make it unlawful for any person not engaged in the business of
3552	3552	placing, or facilitating the placement of, minors for adoption
3553	3553	to give advice and assistance to a biological parent in an
3554	3554	adoption. In making adoption arrangements, potential adopting
3555	3555	parents and biological parents are entitled to the advice and
3556	3556	assistance of legal counsel. Surrogate motherhood is not
3557	3557	intended to be covered by this section."
3558	3558	"§26-10E-34
3559	3559	Minors may be brought into Alabama for the purpose of
3560	3560	adoption as provided in Sections 38-7-15 and 44-2-20, except
3561	3561	that investigations shall be made as provided in Sections
3562	3562	26-10E-19, 26-10E-19.1, 26-10E-26, 26-10E-27, and Section
3563	3563	44-2-20."
3564	3564	"§26-10F-2
3565	3565	(a) The definitions in the Alabama Minor Adoption Code,
3566	3566	provided in Section 26-10E-2, are applicable for this chapter
3567	3567	and have the same meaning whenever used in this chapter except
3568	3568	where the context clearly indicates a different meaning .
3569	3569	(b) For the purposes of this chapter, a de facto
3570	3570	parent-child relationship is formed when the petitioner or
3571	3571	petitioners have been the primary caregiver for an adoptee and
3572	3572	have provided the primary financial support for that adoptee
3573	3573	during the time that the adoptee resided with that petitioner
3574	3574	or petitioners during the adoptee's minority ."
3575	3575	"§26-10F-5
3576	3576	1709
3577	3577	1710
3578	3578	1711
3579	3579	1712
3580	3580	1713
3581	3581	1714
3582	3582	1715
3583	3583	1716
3584	3584	1717
3585	3585	1718
3586	3586	1719
3587	3587	1720
3588	3588	1721
3589	3589	1722
3590	3590	1723
3591	3591	1724
3592	3592	1725
3593	3593	1726
3594	3594	1727
3595	3595	1728
3596	3596	1729
3597	3597	1730
3598	3598	1731
3599	3599	1732
3600	3600	1733
3601	3601	1734
3602	3602	1735
3603	3603	1736 HB190 INTRODUCED
3604	3604	Page 63
3605	3605	"§26-10F-5
3606	3606	(a) Any adult individual may petition the court to
3607	3607	adopt an adult as provided in this chapter.
3608	3608	(b) Any married couple, both of whom are adults, may
3609	3609	jointly petition the court to adopt an adult as provided in
3610	3610	this chapter. An adult who is married may not petition to
3611	3611	adopt another adult unless the petition for adoption is filed
3612	3612	jointly by his or her spouse, unless that spouse is the
3613	3613	biological or legal parent of the adult sought to be adopted.
3614	3614	(c) Unless the adoptee is biologically related to the
3615	3615	petitioner or petitioners, any petitioner seeking to adopt
3616	3616	another adult must shall be at least 10 years older than the
3617	3617	adoptee, unless waived by the court for good cause shown.
3618	3618	(d) An adult may only be adopted as provided in this
3619	3619	chapter and for the establishment of a legal parent-child
3620	3620	relationship.
3621	3621	(e) The State Department of Human Resources shall
3622	3622	provide by rule the process through which an individual
3623	3623	seeking to participate in foster care or adoption may apply
3624	3624	for an exemption from any vaccination requirement for
3625	3625	religious or other appropriate reason for himself, herself, or
3626	3626	any other individual in his or her household."
3627	3627	"§26-10F-6
3628	3628	An adult may be adopted under any of the following
3629	3629	conditions:
3630	3630	(1) He or she is an individual with a total and
3631	3631	permanent disability.
3632	3632	(2) He or she has been determined to be an
3633	3633	incapacitated person as defined in Section 26-2A-20.
3634	3634	1737
3635	3635	1738
3636	3636	1739
3637	3637	1740
3638	3638	1741
3639	3639	1742
3640	3640	1743
3641	3641	1744
3642	3642	1745
3643	3643	1746
3644	3644	1747
3645	3645	1748
3646	3646	1749
3647	3647	1750
3648	3648	1751
3649	3649	1752
3650	3650	1753
3651	3651	1754
3652	3652	1755
3653	3653	1756
3654	3654	1757
3655	3655	1758
3656	3656	1759
3657	3657	1760
3658	3658	1761
3659	3659	1762
3660	3660	1763
3661	3661	1764 HB190 INTRODUCED
3662	3662	Page 64
3663	3663	incapacitated person as defined in Section 26-2A-20.
3664	3664	(3) He or she consents in writing to be adopted and is
3665	3665	related in any degree of kinship to the petitioner or
3666	3666	petitioners, as defined by the intestacy laws of Alabama, or
3667	3667	is a stepchild or former stepchild by marriage.
3668	3668	(4) He or she had been in a de facto parent-child
3669	3669	relationship with each petitioner for at least one year during
3670	3670	the minority of the adoptee for at least one year preceding
3671	3671	the filing of the petition , and each petitioner has maintained
3672	3672	a continuous familial relationship with the adoptee. This
3673	3673	provision shall include, but is not limited to, a foster
3674	3674	parent relationship with the adoptee."
3675	3675	"§26-10F-9
3676	3676	(a) Unless service has been previously waived, notice
3677	3677	of pendency of the adoption proceeding shall be served by the
3678	3678	petitioner on each of the following:
3679	3679	(1) Any individual whose consent is required by Section
3680	3680	26-10F-7.
3681	3681	(2) Any legally appointed custodian or guardian of the
3682	3682	adoptee.
3683	3683	(3) The spouse of the adoptee, if the adoptee is
3684	3684	married.
3685	3685	(4) Any biological or legal parent of the adoptee.
3686	3686	(5) Any individual or entity known to any petitioner as
3687	3687	currently having physical custody of the adoptee, if the
3688	3688	adoptee is alleged to be an individual with a total and
3689	3689	permanent disability or alleged to be an incapacitated person.
3690	3690	(6) The State Department of Human Resources.
3691	3691	(7) Any other individual designated by the court.
3692	3692	1765
3693	3693	1766
3694	3694	1767
3695	3695	1768
3696	3696	1769
3697	3697	1770
3698	3698	1771
3699	3699	1772
3700	3700	1773
3701	3701	1774
3702	3702	1775
3703	3703	1776
3704	3704	1777
3705	3705	1778
3706	3706	1779
3707	3707	1780
3708	3708	1781
3709	3709	1782
3710	3710	1783
3711	3711	1784
3712	3712	1785
3713	3713	1786
3714	3714	1787
3715	3715	1788
3716	3716	1789
3717	3717	1790
3718	3718	1791
3719	3719	1792 HB190 INTRODUCED
3720	3720	Page 65
3721	3721	(7) Any other individual designated by the court.
3722	3722	(b) A copy of the notice for adoption shall be served
3723	3723	upon those individuals or agencies provided in subsection (a).
3724	3724	The form for the notice shall be developed jointly by the
3725	3725	Administrative Office of Courts and the Alabama Law Institute.
3726	3726	(c) Service of the notice shall be made in the
3727	3727	following manner:
3728	3728	(1) Service of process shall be made in accordance with
3729	3729	the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. If notice cannot be
3730	3730	perfected in accordance with the Alabama Rules of Civil
3731	3731	Procedure, the court may order an alternative method of
3732	3732	notice.If the identity or whereabouts of the person whose
3733	3733	consent is required under this chapter is unknown, the court
3734	3734	shall then issue an order providing for service by
3735	3735	publication, by posting, or by any other substituted service.
3736	3736	(2) As to the agency or individual referred to in
3737	3737	subsection (a)(6), notice shall be by certified mail.
3738	3738	(3) As to any other individual or entity for whom
3739	3739	notice is required under subsection (a)(7), service by
3740	3740	certified mail, return receipt requested, shall be sufficient.
3741	3741	If such service cannot be completed after two attempts, the
3742	3742	court shall issue an order providing for service by
3743	3743	publication, by posting, or by any other authorized
3744	3744	substituted service.
3745	3745	(d) The notice required by this section may be waived
3746	3746	in writing by the person individual or entity entitled to
3747	3747	receive notice.
3748	3748	(e) Proof of service of the notice on all persons for
3749	3749	whom notice is required by this section must shall be filed
3750	3750	1793
3751	3751	1794
3752	3752	1795
3753	3753	1796
3754	3754	1797
3755	3755	1798
3756	3756	1799
3757	3757	1800
3758	3758	1801
3759	3759	1802
3760	3760	1803
3761	3761	1804
3762	3762	1805
3763	3763	1806
3764	3764	1807
3765	3765	1808
3766	3766	1809
3767	3767	1810
3768	3768	1811
3769	3769	1812
3770	3770	1813
3771	3771	1814
3772	3772	1815
3773	3773	1816
3774	3774	1817
3775	3775	1818
3776	3776	1819
3777	3777	1820 HB190 INTRODUCED
3778	3778	Page 66
3779	3779	whom notice is required by this section must shall be filed
3780	3780	with the court before the dispositional hearing provided in
3781	3781	Section 26-10F-13."
3782	3782	"§26-10F-10
3783	3783	(a) All consents must shall be acknowledged in open
3784	3784	court, unless waived by the court for good cause shown.
3785	3785	(b) If a guardian ad litem has been appointed for the
3786	3786	adult sought to be adopted, the following procedures apply:
3787	3787	(1) The guardian ad litem shall file with the court a
3788	3788	written report stating the basis for the decision to give or
3789	3789	withhold consent.
3790	3790	(2) The court shall hold a hearing to allow all parties
3791	3791	to present evidence as to whether it would be in the best
3792	3792	interests interest of the adult person to be adopted by the
3793	3793	petitioner or petitioners.
3794	3794	(c) If the court determines upon clear and convincing
3795	3795	evidence that the decision to withhold consent by the guardian
3796	3796	ad litem is arbitrary and is not in the best interests
3797	3797	interest of the incapacitated person, the court may proceed to
3798	3798	make any other orders it deems necessary for the adult
3799	3799	person's welfare, including granting the petition for
3800	3800	adoption."
3801	3801	"§26-10F-11
3802	3802	(a) No investigation shall be required in any adult
3803	3803	adoption unless ordered by the court to determine if the best
3804	3804	interests interest of the adoptee will be served by granting
3805	3805	the petition for adoption. The court shall determine the scope
3806	3806	of the investigation.
3807	3807	(b) If the probate court in which a petition for the
3808	3808	1821
3809	3809	1822
3810	3810	1823
3811	3811	1824
3812	3812	1825
3813	3813	1826
3814	3814	1827
3815	3815	1828
3816	3816	1829
3817	3817	1830
3818	3818	1831
3819	3819	1832
3820	3820	1833
3821	3821	1834
3822	3822	1835
3823	3823	1836
3824	3824	1837
3825	3825	1838
3826	3826	1839
3827	3827	1840
3828	3828	1841
3829	3829	1842
3830	3830	1843
3831	3831	1844
3832	3832	1845
3833	3833	1846
3834	3834	1847
3835	3835	1848 HB190 INTRODUCED
3836	3836	Page 67
3837	3837	(b) If the probate court in which a petition for the
3838	3838	adoption of an adult is filed considers an investigation to be
3839	3839	a necessity, the probate court may order either of the
3840	3840	following:
3841	3841	(1) The type of investigation that is conducted in an
3842	3842	adoption of a minor adoptee, pursuant to Section Sections
3843	3843	26-10E-19, 26-10E-9.1, 26-10E-26, and 26-10E-27 .
3844	3844	(2) Any other inquiry that the court considers
3845	3845	advisable.
3846	3846	(c) Any investigation ordered by the court shall be
3847	3847	performed by the State Department of Human Resources or anyone
3848	3848	appointed by the court who the court deems as qualified and
3849	3849	appropriate based on the scope of the investigation."
3850	3850	"§26-10F-12
3851	3851	(a) Upon the filing of a pleading or a motion by a
3852	3852	party contesting the adoption, the probate court may not
3853	3853	transfer the case or any part of the case to another court of
3854	3854	this state, and shall forthwith set the matter for a contested
3855	3855	hearing to determine each of the following:
3856	3856	(1) Whether the best interests interest of the adoptee
3857	3857	will be served by the adoption.
3858	3858	(2) Whether the adoptee is available for adoption by
3859	3859	each petitioner and whether each petitioner qualifies to adopt
3860	3860	the adoptee within the requirements of this chapter.
3861	3861	(3) Whether all necessary consent has been given and,
3862	3862	if so, the validity of each consent.
3863	3863	(4) Whether an express consent has been or may be
3864	3864	withdrawn.
3865	3865	(b) The court shall give at least 14 days notice of the
3866	3866	1849
3867	3867	1850
3868	3868	1851
3869	3869	1852
3870	3870	1853
3871	3871	1854
3872	3872	1855
3873	3873	1856
3874	3874	1857
3875	3875	1858
3876	3876	1859
3877	3877	1860
3878	3878	1861
3879	3879	1862
3880	3880	1863
3881	3881	1864
3882	3882	1865
3883	3883	1866
3884	3884	1867
3885	3885	1868
3886	3886	1869
3887	3887	1870
3888	3888	1871
3889	3889	1872
3890	3890	1873
3891	3891	1874
3892	3892	1875
3893	3893	1876 HB190 INTRODUCED
3894	3894	Page 68
3895	3895	(b) The court shall give at least 14 days notice of the
3896	3896	contested hearing by United States mail to all parties who
3897	3897	have appeared before the court unless notice has been waived
3898	3898	in writing. The party contesting the adoption and each
3899	3899	petitioner shall be present at the contested hearing. A
3900	3900	guardian ad litem shall appear and represent the interests
3901	3901	interest of the adoptee. Any contestant who is an
3902	3902	incapacitated person shall also be represented by a guardian
3903	3903	ad litem in addition to any counsel retained by the
3904	3904	contestant.
3905	3905	(c) The court may continue the hearing from time to
3906	3906	time to permit notice to all parties, or to permit further
3907	3907	discovery, observation, investigation, or consideration of any
3908	3908	fact or circumstance affecting the granting or denial of the
3909	3909	adoption petition. The court may order the investigator
3910	3910	appointed under Section 26-10F-11, or a court representative
3911	3911	to investigate allegations underlying the contest or the
3912	3912	whereabouts of any person entitled to notice of the
3913	3913	proceeding.
3914	3914	(d) After hearing evidence at a At the conclusion of
3915	3915	the contested hearing, the court shall decide the contest as
3916	3916	soon as practicable. If it is determined by the court that the
3917	3917	adoption petition should be denied, the court shall enter a
3918	3918	final judgment denying the contest. The entry of a final
3919	3919	judgment denying a contest terminates the status of the
3920	3920	contestant as a party to the adoption proceedings and
3921	3921	terminates the contestant's right to notice of further
3922	3922	adoption proceedings.
3923	3923	(e) At the contested hearing, the court shall consider
3924	3924	1877
3925	3925	1878
3926	3926	1879
3927	3927	1880
3928	3928	1881
3929	3929	1882
3930	3930	1883
3931	3931	1884
3932	3932	1885
3933	3933	1886
3934	3934	1887
3935	3935	1888
3936	3936	1889
3937	3937	1890
3938	3938	1891
3939	3939	1892
3940	3940	1893
3941	3941	1894
3942	3942	1895
3943	3943	1896
3944	3944	1897
3945	3945	1898
3946	3946	1899
3947	3947	1900
3948	3948	1901
3949	3949	1902
3950	3950	1903
3951	3951	1904 HB190 INTRODUCED
3952	3952	Page 69
3953	3953	(e) At the contested hearing, the court shall consider
3954	3954	any motion of the petitioner or petitioners to obtain
3955	3955	reimbursement for all reasonable medical and living expenses
3956	3956	incidental to the care and well-being of the adoptee for the
3957	3957	time the adoptee resided with the petitioner or petitioners
3958	3958	where the adoptee is an incapacitated adult. If the adoption
3959	3959	is denied, the probate court shall, unless just cause is shown
3960	3960	otherwise by the contestant, order such reimbursement.
3961	3961	(f) Upon denial of a contest, the court, unless just
3962	3962	cause is shown otherwise by the contestant, shall issue an
3963	3963	order for reimbursement to the petitioner or petitioners of
3964	3964	the legal costs incurred by each petitioner incidental to the
3965	3965	contest."
3966	3966	"§26-10F-13
3967	3967	(a) The petition for adoption shall be set for a
3968	3968	dispositional hearing within a reasonable period after the
3969	3969	filing of the petition and all necessary documents, including
3970	3970	an investigative report if ordered by the court.
3971	3971	(b) The court shall enter an order establishing a date,
3972	3972	time, and place for the hearing on the petition, and each
3973	3973	petitioner and the individual to be adopted shall appear at
3974	3974	the hearing in person. If the court determines that such
3975	3975	appearance is impossible or impractical, appearance may be
3976	3976	made by electronic means, upon good cause shown to the court.
3977	3977	(c) At the dispositional hearing, the court shall grant
3978	3978	a final judgment of adoption if it finds each of the following
3979	3979	based on clear and convincing evidence:
3980	3980	(1) The adoptee meets one of the qualifications under
3981	3981	Section 26-10F-6.
3982	3982	1905
3983	3983	1906
3984	3984	1907
3985	3985	1908
3986	3986	1909
3987	3987	1910
3988	3988	1911
3989	3989	1912
3990	3990	1913
3991	3991	1914
3992	3992	1915
3993	3993	1916
3994	3994	1917
3995	3995	1918
3996	3996	1919
3997	3997	1920
3998	3998	1921
3999	3999	1922
4000	4000	1923
4001	4001	1924
4002	4002	1925
4003	4003	1926
4004	4004	1927
4005	4005	1928
4006	4006	1929
4007	4007	1930
4008	4008	1931
4009	4009	1932 HB190 INTRODUCED
4010	4010	Page 70
4011	4011	Section 26-10F-6.
4012	4012	(2) The required consents and all other necessary
4013	4013	documents have been properly executed and have been filed with
4014	4014	the court. The necessary documents shall include, but are not
4015	4015	limited to, each of the following:
4016	4016	a. The petition for adoption.
4017	4017	b. All required consents.
4018	4018	c. Proof of service of notice on all persons required
4019	4019	to receive notice.
4020	4020	d. Marriage certificates of the petitioners and
4021	4021	adoptee, if applicable.
4022	4022	e. Copies of certified birth certificates or the
4023	4023	equivalent thereof of each petitioner and adoptee, issued
4024	4024	within six months of the filing of the petition.
4025	4025	f. The Alabama Report of Adoption Form.
4026	4026	g. Proof of incapacity or total and permanent
4027	4027	disability, if applicable.
4028	4028	h. Proof of kinship or a de facto parent and child
4029	4029	relationship pursuant to Section 26-10F-6, if applicable.
4030	4030	i. Any other documentation required by the court.
4031	4031	(3) Any contests have been resolved in favor of the
4032	4032	petitioner or petitioners.
4033	4033	(4) That each petitioner is a suitable adopting parent
4034	4034	and desires to establish a legal parent and child relationship
4035	4035	between himself or herself and the adoptee.
4036	4036	(5) That all parties, to the best of their ability,
4037	4037	understand the significance and ramifications of the adoption
4038	4038	and are not acting under duress, coercion, or undue influence.
4039	4039	(6) That the best interests interest of the adoptee are
4040	4040	1933
4041	4041	1934
4042	4042	1935
4043	4043	1936
4044	4044	1937
4045	4045	1938
4046	4046	1939
4047	4047	1940
4048	4048	1941
4049	4049	1942
4050	4050	1943
4051	4051	1944
4052	4052	1945
4053	4053	1946
4054	4054	1947
4055	4055	1948
4056	4056	1949
4057	4057	1950
4058	4058	1951
4059	4059	1952
4060	4060	1953
4061	4061	1954
4062	4062	1955
4063	4063	1956
4064	4064	1957
4065	4065	1958
4066	4066	1959
4067	4067	1960 HB190 INTRODUCED
4068	4068	Page 71
4069	4069	(6) That the best interests interest of the adoptee are
4070	4070	is served by the adoption and that there is no reason in the
4071	4071	public interest or otherwise why the petition should not be
4072	4072	granted.
4073	4073	(7) That all other requirements of this chapter have
4074	4074	been met.
4075	4075	(d) If all the requirements of subsection (b) (c) are
4076	4076	met, the court may enter its finding in a written final
4077	4077	judgment of adoption, granting the petition for adoption.
4078	4078	(e) The final judgment of adoption shall terminate the
4079	4079	parent and child relationship of one or both of the legal
4080	4080	parents of the adoptee and shall order the substitution of the
4081	4081	name of each legal parent whose relationship has been
4082	4082	terminated on the amended birth certificate with the name of
4083	4083	each petitioner. There shall be no more than two individuals
4084	4084	named as petitioner.
4085	4085	(f) If the court grants the adoptee's request for a new
4086	4086	name, the adoptee's new name shall be included in the final
4087	4087	judgment of adoption and placed on the amended birth
4088	4088	certificate.
4089	4089	(g) The final judgment of adoption shall further order
4090	4090	that from the date of the judgment of adoption, the adoptee
4091	4091	shall be the child of the petitioner or petitioners, and that
4092	4092	the adoptee shall be accorded the status set forth in Section
4093	4093	26-10F-16(b).
4094	4094	(h) A final judgment of adoption may not be
4095	4095	collaterally attacked after the expiration of one year from
4096	4096	the entry of the final judgment of adoption, and after all
4097	4097	appeals, if any, except in each of the following situations:
4098	4098	1961
4099	4099	1962
4100	4100	1963
4101	4101	1964
4102	4102	1965
4103	4103	1966
4104	4104	1967
4105	4105	1968
4106	4106	1969
4107	4107	1970
4108	4108	1971
4109	4109	1972
4110	4110	1973
4111	4111	1974
4112	4112	1975
4113	4113	1976
4114	4114	1977
4115	4115	1978
4116	4116	1979
4117	4117	1980
4118	4118	1981
4119	4119	1982
4120	4120	1983
4121	4121	1984
4122	4122	1985
4123	4123	1986
4124	4124	1987
4125	4125	1988 HB190 INTRODUCED
4126	4126	Page 72
4127	4127	appeals, if any, except in each of the following situations:
4128	4128	(1) Fraud relating to the adoption proceedings.
4129	4129	(2) The adoptee has been kidnapped.
4130	4130	(3) An adoptive parent subsequent to the final judgment
4131	4131	of adoption has been convicted of a sexual offense, as
4132	4132	provided in Section 15-20A-5, involving the adoptee."
4133	4133	"§26-10F-15
4134	4134	(a) If determined to be in the best interests interest
4135	4135	of the adoptee or parties, the court may determine a hearing
4136	4136	shall be closed.
4137	4137	(b) Upon motion by the adoptee or parties and for good
4138	4138	cause shown, the court shall have jurisdiction to issue any
4139	4139	orders deemed necessary to protect the confidentiality of the
4140	4140	adoption or adoption proceedings, including, but not limited
4141	4141	to, any protective order or injunction to prevent or limit the
4142	4142	dissemination of any information contained in confidential or
4143	4143	sealed records or any other information identifying the
4144	4144	adoptee, the parties, or the witnesses in an adoption
4145	4145	proceeding. Part or all of the record may also be sealed
4146	4146	pursuant to procedure established by applicable statute, rule,
4147	4147	and existing case law.
4148	4148	(c) When the court enters a final judgment of adoption,
4149	4149	the court shall send a copy of the certified final judgment of
4150	4150	adoption to the State Department of Human Resources in the
4151	4151	manner prescribed by Section 26-10F-17(a)."
4152	4152	"§26-10F-17
4153	4153	(a) Within 10 days of the final judgment being entered,
4154	4154	the judge or the clerk of the court shall send a copy of the
4155	4155	certified final judgment of adoption to the State Department
4156	4156	1989
4157	4157	1990
4158	4158	1991
4159	4159	1992
4160	4160	1993
4161	4161	1994
4162	4162	1995
4163	4163	1996
4164	4164	1997
4165	4165	1998
4166	4166	1999
4167	4167	2000
4168	4168	2001
4169	4169	2002
4170	4170	2003
4171	4171	2004
4172	4172	2005
4173	4173	2006
4174	4174	2007
4175	4175	2008
4176	4176	2009
4177	4177	2010
4178	4178	2011
4179	4179	2012
4180	4180	2013
4181	4181	2014
4182	4182	2015
4183	4183	2016 HB190 INTRODUCED
4184	4184	Page 73
4185	4185	certified final judgment of adoption to the State Department
4186	4186	of Human Resources electronically or by United States mail and
4187	4187	shall send a copy of the certified final judgment of adoption
4188	4188	to the Office of Vital Statistics electronically or by United
4189	4189	States mail with the report of adoption in the format
4190	4190	developed by the Office of Vital Statistics.
4191	4191	(b) Upon receipt of a copy of any certified final
4192	4192	judgment of adoption from the judge or the clerk of the court
4193	4193	for an individual born in this state, the Office of Vital
4194	4194	Statistics shall prepare an amended record of birth reflecting
4195	4195	the registrant's new name and the name of each adopting parent
4196	4196	as contained in the final judgment and report of adoption. The
4197	4197	original birth certificate or evidence of adoption may not be
4198	4198	sealed unless otherwise ordered by the court granting the
4199	4199	adoption. If the court orders the documents to be sealed, the
4200	4200	adoptee may request the original birth certificate and
4201	4201	evidence of adoption as provided by Section 22-9A-12(c).
4202	4202	(c) Upon receipt of a copy of a certified final
4203	4203	judgment of adoption from the judge or the clerk of the court
4204	4204	for a foreign-born individual adopted in a court in this
4205	4205	state, the Office of Vital Statistics, upon request, shall
4206	4206	create a Certificate of Foreign Birth and sealed file as
4207	4207	provided in Section 22-9A-12(i)."
4208	4208	"§30-3-4.2
4209	4209	(a) For the purposes of this section, the following
4210	4210	words terms have the following meanings:
4211	4211	(1) GRANDPARENT. The parent of a parent, whether the
4212	4212	relationship is created biologically or by adoption.
4213	4213	(2) HARM. A finding by the court, by clear and
4214	4214	2017
4215	4215	2018
4216	4216	2019
4217	4217	2020
4218	4218	2021
4219	4219	2022
4220	4220	2023
4221	4221	2024
4222	4222	2025
4223	4223	2026
4224	4224	2027
4225	4225	2028
4226	4226	2029
4227	4227	2030
4228	4228	2031
4229	4229	2032
4230	4230	2033
4231	4231	2034
4232	4232	2035
4233	4233	2036
4234	4234	2037
4235	4235	2038
4236	4236	2039
4237	4237	2040
4238	4238	2041
4239	4239	2042
4240	4240	2043
4241	4241	2044 HB190 INTRODUCED
4242	4242	Page 74
4243	4243	(2) HARM. A finding by the court, by clear and
4244	4244	convincing evidence, that without court-ordered visitation by
4245	4245	the grandparent, the child's emotional, mental, or physical
4246	4246	well-being has been, could reasonably be, or would be
4247	4247	jeopardized.
4248	4248	(b) A grandparent may : (i) file an original action in a
4249	4249	circuit court where his or her grandchild resides or any other
4250	4250	court exercising jurisdiction with respect to the grandchild ;
4251	4251	or (ii) file a motion to intervene in any action when any
4252	4252	court in this state has before it any issue concerning custody
4253	4253	of the grandchild, including a domestic relations proceeding
4254	4254	involving the parent or parents of the grandchild, for
4255	4255	reasonable visitation rights with respect to the grandchild if
4256	4256	any of the following circumstances exist:
4257	4257	(1) An action for a divorce or legal separation of the
4258	4258	parents has been filed , or the marital relationship between
4259	4259	the parents of the child has been severed by death or divorce.
4260	4260	(2) The child was born out of wedlock and the
4261	4261	petitioner is a maternal grandparent of the child.
4262	4262	(3) The child was born out of wedlock, the petitioner
4263	4263	is a paternal grandparent of the child, and paternity has been
4264	4264	legally established.
4265	4265	(4) An action to terminate the parental rights of a
4266	4266	parent or parents has been filed or the parental rights of a
4267	4267	parent has been terminated by court order; provided, however,
4268	4268	the right of the grandparent to seek visitation terminates if
4269	4269	the court approves a petition for adoption by an adoptive
4270	4270	parent, unless the visitation rights are allowed pursuant to
4271	4271	Section 26-10A-30. 26-10E-29.
4272	4272	2045
4273	4273	2046
4274	4274	2047
4275	4275	2048
4276	4276	2049
4277	4277	2050
4278	4278	2051
4279	4279	2052
4280	4280	2053
4281	4281	2054
4282	4282	2055
4283	4283	2056
4284	4284	2057
4285	4285	2058
4286	4286	2059
4287	4287	2060
4288	4288	2061
4289	4289	2062
4290	4290	2063
4291	4291	2064
4292	4292	2065
4293	4293	2066
4294	4294	2067
4295	4295	2068
4296	4296	2069
4297	4297	2070
4298	4298	2071
4299	4299	2072 HB190 INTRODUCED
4300	4300	Page 75
4301	4301	Section 26-10A-30. 26-10E-29.
4302	4302	(c)(1) There is a rebuttable presumption that a fit
4303	4303	parent's decision to deny or limit visitation to the
4304	4304	petitioner is in the best interest of the child.
4305	4305	(2) To rebut the presumption, the petitioner shall
4306	4306	prove both of the following by clear and convincing evidence ,
4307	4307	both of the following :
4308	4308	a. The petitioner has established a significant and
4309	4309	viable relationship with the child for whom he or she is
4310	4310	requesting visitation.
4311	4311	b. Visitation with the petitioner is in the best
4312	4312	interest of the child.
4313	4313	(d) To establish a significant and viable relationship
4314	4314	with the child, the petitioner shall prove any of the
4315	4315	following by clear and convincing evidence any of the
4316	4316	following:
4317	4317	(1)a. The child resided with the petitioner for at
4318	4318	least six consecutive months with or without a parent present
4319	4319	within the three years preceding the filing of the petition.
4320	4320	b. The petitioner was the caregiver to the child on a
4321	4321	regular basis for at least six consecutive months within the
4322	4322	three years preceding the filing of the petition.
4323	4323	c. The petitioner had frequent or regular contact with
4324	4324	the child for at least 12 consecutive months that which
4325	4325	resulted in a strong and meaningful relationship with the
4326	4326	child within the three years preceding the filing of the
4327	4327	petition.
4328	4328	(2) Any other facts that establish the loss of the
4329	4329	relationship between the petitioner and the child is likely to
4330	4330	2073
4331	4331	2074
4332	4332	2075
4333	4333	2076
4334	4334	2077
4335	4335	2078
4336	4336	2079
4337	4337	2080
4338	4338	2081
4339	4339	2082
4340	4340	2083
4341	4341	2084
4342	4342	2085
4343	4343	2086
4344	4344	2087
4345	4345	2088
4346	4346	2089
4347	4347	2090
4348	4348	2091
4349	4349	2092
4350	4350	2093
4351	4351	2094
4352	4352	2095
4353	4353	2096
4354	4354	2097
4355	4355	2098
4356	4356	2099
4357	4357	2100 HB190 INTRODUCED
4358	4358	Page 76
4359	4359	relationship between the petitioner and the child is likely to
4360	4360	harm the child.
4361	4361	(e) To establish that visitation with the petitioner is
4362	4362	in the best interest of the child, the petitioner shall prove
4363	4363	by clear and convincing evidence all of the following by clear
4364	4364	and convincing evidence :
4365	4365	(1) The petitioner has the capacity to give the child
4366	4366	love, affection, and guidance.
4367	4367	(2) The loss of an opportunity to maintain a
4368	4368	significant and viable relationship between the petitioner and
4369	4369	the child has caused or is reasonably likely to cause harm to
4370	4370	the child.
4371	4371	(3) The petitioner is willing to cooperate with the
4372	4372	parent or parents if visitation with the child is allowed.
4373	4373	(f) The court shall make specific written findings of
4374	4374	fact in support of its rulings.
4375	4375	(g)(1) A grandparent or grandparents who are married to
4376	4376	each other may not file a petition seeking an order for
4377	4377	visitation more than once every 24 months absent a showing of
4378	4378	good cause. The fact that a grandparent or grandparents who
4379	4379	are married to each other have petitioned for visitation shall
4380	4380	not preclude another grandparent from subsequently petitioning
4381	4381	for visitation within the 24-month period. After an order for
4382	4382	grandparent visitation has been granted, the parent, guardian,
4383	4383	or legal custodian of the child may file a petition requesting
4384	4384	the court to modify or terminate a grandparent's visitation
4385	4385	time with a grandchild.
4386	4386	(2) The court may modify or terminate visitation upon
4387	4387	proof that a material change in circumstances has occurred
4388	4388	2101
4389	4389	2102
4390	4390	2103
4391	4391	2104
4392	4392	2105
4393	4393	2106
4394	4394	2107
4395	4395	2108
4396	4396	2109
4397	4397	2110
4398	4398	2111
4399	4399	2112
4400	4400	2113
4401	4401	2114
4402	4402	2115
4403	4403	2116
4404	4404	2117
4405	4405	2118
4406	4406	2119
4407	4407	2120
4408	4408	2121
4409	4409	2122
4410	4410	2123
4411	4411	2124
4412	4412	2125
4413	4413	2126
4414	4414	2127
4415	4415	2128 HB190 INTRODUCED
4416	4416	Page 77
4417	4417	proof that a material change in circumstances has occurred
4418	4418	since the award of grandparent visitation was made and a
4419	4419	finding by the court that the modification or termination of
4420	4420	the grandparent visitation rights is in the best interest of
4421	4421	the child.
4422	4422	(h) The court may award any party reasonable expenses
4423	4423	incurred by or on behalf of the party, including costs,
4424	4424	communication expenses, attorney's attorney fees, guardian ad
4425	4425	litem fees, investigative fees, expenses for court-appointed
4426	4426	witnesses, travel expenses, and child care during the course
4427	4427	of the proceedings.
4428	4428	(i)(1) Notwithstanding any provisions of this section
4429	4429	to the contrary, a:
4430	4430	(1) A petition filed by a grandparent having standing
4431	4431	under Chapter 10A 10E of Title 26, seeking visitation shall be
4432	4432	filed in probate court and is governed by Section 26-10A-30
4433	4433	26-10E-29, rather than by this section if either of the
4434	4434	following circumstances exists:
4435	4435	a. The grandchild has been the subject of an adoption
4436	4436	proceeding other than the one creating the grandparent
4437	4437	relationship.
4438	4438	b. The grandchild is the subject of a pending or
4439	4439	finalized adoption proceeding.
4440	4440	(2) Notwithstanding any provisions of this section to
4441	4441	the contrary, a A grandparent seeking visitation pursuant to
4442	4442	Section 12-15-314 shall be governed by that section rather
4443	4443	than by this section ; and.
4444	4444	(3) Notwithstanding any provisions of this section to
4445	4445	the contrary, a A parent of a parent whose parental rights
4446	4446	2129
4447	4447	2130
4448	4448	2131
4449	4449	2132
4450	4450	2133
4451	4451	2134
4452	4452	2135
4453	4453	2136
4454	4454	2137
4455	4455	2138
4456	4456	2139
4457	4457	2140
4458	4458	2141
4459	4459	2142
4460	4460	2143
4461	4461	2144
4462	4462	2145
4463	4463	2146
4464	4464	2147
4465	4465	2148
4466	4466	2149
4467	4467	2150
4468	4468	2151
4469	4469	2152
4470	4470	2153
4471	4471	2154
4472	4472	2155
4473	4473	2156 HB190 INTRODUCED
4474	4474	Page 78
4475	4475	the contrary, a A parent of a parent whose parental rights
4476	4476	have been terminated by a court order in which the petitioner
4477	4477	was the State Department of Human Resources, shall not be
4478	4478	awarded any visitation rights pursuant to this section.
4479	4479	(j) The right of a grandparent to maintain visitation
4480	4480	rights pursuant to this section terminates upon the adoption
4481	4481	of the child except as provided by Section 26-10A-30
4482	4482	26-10E-29.
4483	4483	(k) All of the following are necessary parties to any
4484	4484	action filed under this section:
4485	4485	(1) Unless parental rights have been terminated, the
4486	4486	parent or parents of the child.
4487	4487	(2) Every other person who has been awarded custody or
4488	4488	visitation with the child pursuant to court order.
4489	4489	(3) Any agency having custody of the child pursuant to
4490	4490	court order.
4491	4491	(l) In addition, upon filing of the action, notice
4492	4492	shall be given to all other grandparents of the child. The
4493	4493	petition shall affirmatively state the name and address upon
4494	4494	whom notice has been given.
4495	4495	(m) Service and notice shall be made in the following
4496	4496	manner:
4497	4497	(1) Service of process on necessary parties shall be
4498	4498	made in accordance with the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.
4499	4499	(2) As to any other person to whom notice is required
4500	4500	to be given under subsection (l), notice shall be given by
4501	4501	first class mail to the last known address of the person or
4502	4502	persons entitled to notice. Notice shall be effective on the
4503	4503	third day following mailing.
4504	4504	2157
4505	4505	2158
4506	4506	2159
4507	4507	2160
4508	4508	2161
4509	4509	2162
4510	4510	2163
4511	4511	2164
4512	4512	2165
4513	4513	2166
4514	4514	2167
4515	4515	2168
4516	4516	2169
4517	4517	2170
4518	4518	2171
4519	4519	2172
4520	4520	2173
4521	4521	2174
4522	4522	2175
4523	4523	2176
4524	4524	2177
4525	4525	2178
4526	4526	2179
4527	4527	2180
4528	4528	2181
4529	4529	2182
4530	4530	2183
4531	4531	2184 HB190 INTRODUCED
4532	4532	Page 79
4533	4533	third day following mailing.
4534	4534	(n) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the notice
4535	4535	requirements provided by this section may be limited or waived
4536	4536	by the court to the extent necessary to protect the
4537	4537	confidentiality and the health, safety, or liberty of a person
4538	4538	or a child.
4539	4539	(o) Upon filing an action under this section , and after
4540	4540	giving special weight to the fundamental right of a fit parent
4541	4541	to decide which associations are in the best interest of his
4542	4542	or her child, the court may, after a hearing, may enter a
4543	4543	pendente lite order granting temporary visitation rights to a
4544	4544	grandparent, pending a final order, if the court determines
4545	4545	from the evidence that : (i) the petitioner has established a
4546	4546	significant and viable relationship with the child for whom he
4547	4547	or she is requesting visitation ,; (ii) visitation would be in
4548	4548	the best interest of the child ,; and (iii) any of the
4549	4549	following circumstances exist:
4550	4550	(1) The child resided with the grandparent for at least
4551	4551	six consecutive months within the three years preceding the
4552	4552	filing of the petition.
4553	4553	(2) The grandparent was the caregiver of the child on a
4554	4554	regular basis for at least six consecutive months within the
4555	4555	three years preceding the filing of the petition.
4556	4556	(3) The grandparent provided significant financial
4557	4557	support for the child for at least six consecutive months
4558	4558	within the three years preceding the filing of the petition.
4559	4559	(4) The grandparent had frequent or regular contact
4560	4560	with the child for at least 12 consecutive months within the
4561	4561	three years preceding the filing of the petition.
4562	4562	2185
4563	4563	2186
4564	4564	2187
4565	4565	2188
4566	4566	2189
4567	4567	2190
4568	4568	2191
4569	4569	2192
4570	4570	2193
4571	4571	2194
4572	4572	2195
4573	4573	2196
4574	4574	2197
4575	4575	2198
4576	4576	2199
4577	4577	2200
4578	4578	2201
4579	4579	2202
4580	4580	2203
4581	4581	2204
4582	4582	2205
4583	4583	2206
4584	4584	2207
4585	4585	2208
4586	4586	2209
4587	4587	2210
4588	4588	2211
4589	4589	2212 HB190 INTRODUCED
4590	4590	Page 80
4591	4591	three years preceding the filing of the petition.
4592	4592	(p) As a matter of public policy, this section
4593	4593	recognizes the importance of family and the fundamental rights
4594	4594	of parents and children. In the context of grandparent
4595	4595	visitation under this section, a fit parent's decision
4596	4596	regarding whether to permit grandparent visitation is entitled
4597	4597	to special weight due to a parent's fundamental right to make
4598	4598	decisions concerning the rearing of his or her child.
4599	4599	Nonetheless, a parent's interest in a child must shall be
4600	4600	balanced against the long-recognized interests of the state as
4601	4601	parens patriae. Thus, as applied to grandparent visitation
4602	4602	under this section, this section balances the constitutional
4603	4603	rights of parents and children by imposing an enhanced
4604	4604	standard of review and consideration of the harm to a child
4605	4605	caused by the parent's limitation or termination of a prior
4606	4606	relationship of a child to his or her grandparent."
4607	4607	Section 2. Section 26-10E-19.1 is added to the Code of
4608	4608	Alabama 1975, to read as follows:
4609	4609	§26-10E-19.1
4610	4610	(a) If an adoptee is in the permanent custody of the
4611	4611	State Department of Human Resources, no judgment for adoption
4612	4612	of the adoptee may be entered until the investigative report
4613	4613	under this section has been completed and filed with the
4614	4614	court. The investigation shall include, but is not limited to,
4615	4615	all of the following:
4616	4616	(1) Letters of suitability pursuant to Chapter 13 of
4617	4617	Title 38 for each adult living in the home of the petitioner
4618	4618	or petitioners based on the information available in this
4619	4619	state and the petitioner's place of residence if other than
4620	4620	2213
4621	4621	2214
4622	4622	2215
4623	4623	2216
4624	4624	2217
4625	4625	2218
4626	4626	2219
4627	4627	2220
4628	4628	2221
4629	4629	2222
4630	4630	2223
4631	4631	2224
4632	4632	2225
4633	4633	2226
4634	4634	2227
4635	4635	2228
4636	4636	2229
4637	4637	2230
4638	4638	2231
4639	4639	2232
4640	4640	2233
4641	4641	2234
4642	4642	2235
4643	4643	2236
4644	4644	2237
4645	4645	2238
4646	4646	2239
4647	4647	2240 HB190 INTRODUCED
4648	4648	Page 81
4649	4649	state and the petitioner's place of residence if other than
4650	4650	this state.
4651	4651	(2) Child abuse and neglect clearances pursuant to the
4652	4652	Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, Public Law
4653	4653	109-248, as amended, for all household members 14 years of age
4654	4654	and older from any state in which any petitioner has resided
4655	4655	in the preceding five years.
4656	4656	(3) A printed copy of the search on the Dru Sjodin
4657	4657	National Sex Offender Public Website for all household members
4658	4658	14 years of age and older.
4659	4659	(4) Six reference letters, four of which are from
4660	4660	individuals unrelated to the petitioner or petitioners by
4661	4661	blood or marriage. The other two reference letters shall be
4662	4662	from individuals related to the petitioner by blood or
4663	4663	marriage. If there are two petitioners, a member from each
4664	4664	petitioner's family shall submit a reference letter.
4665	4665	(5) Medical reports on all individuals living in the
4666	4666	home and letters from prescribing doctors for any controlled
4667	4667	substance prescriptions.
4668	4668	(6) The financial worksheets for each petitioner for
4669	4669	the previous tax year or a copy of the previous year's tax
4670	4670	returns.
4671	4671	(7) Copies of each petitioner's birth certificate and
4672	4672	marriage license or marriage certificate.
4673	4673	(8) Copies of any divorce decrees and settlement
4674	4674	agreements pursuant to the divorce, if applicable.
4675	4675	(9) Copies of any death certificates, if applicable.
4676	4676	(10) A written biography of each petitioner, including
4677	4677	medical and social history.
4678	4678	2241
4679	4679	2242
4680	4680	2243
4681	4681	2244
4682	4682	2245
4683	4683	2246
4684	4684	2247
4685	4685	2248
4686	4686	2249
4687	4687	2250
4688	4688	2251
4689	4689	2252
4690	4690	2253
4691	4691	2254
4692	4692	2255
4693	4693	2256
4694	4694	2257
4695	4695	2258
4696	4696	2259
4697	4697	2260
4698	4698	2261
4699	4699	2262
4700	4700	2263
4701	4701	2264
4702	4702	2265
4703	4703	2266
4704	4704	2267
4705	4705	2268 HB190 INTRODUCED
4706	4706	Page 82
4707	4707	medical and social history.
4708	4708	(11) A home safety inspection indicating that the home
4709	4709	of the petitioner or petitioners is safe for the adoptee's
4710	4710	residency.
4711	4711	(12) Any custody orders:
4712	4712	a. Pertaining to the adoptee;
4713	4713	b. Pertaining to the petitioner or petitioners; or
4714	4714	c. Pertaining to both the adoptee and the petitioner or
4715	4715	petitioners.
4716	4716	(13) The updated medical and mental health histories of
4717	4717	the adoptee. This information shall also be provided to the
4718	4718	petitioner or petitioners prior to the final judgment of
4719	4719	adoption being entered.
4720	4720	(14) The medical and mental health histories of the
4721	4721	adoptee's biological parents, if their identities are known. A
4722	4722	nonidentifying copy of this information shall be delivered to
4723	4723	the petitioner or petitioners.
4724	4724	(15) Any property or assets in which the adoptee has a
4725	4725	financial interest or is otherwise entitled to receive in the
4726	4726	future.
4727	4727	(16) Any other circumstances that may be relevant to
4728	4728	the placement of the adoptee with the petitioner or
4729	4729	petitioners.
4730	4730	(17) Any other requirement pursuant to Title 660 of the
4731	4731	Alabama Administrative Code or any other rule adopted by the
4732	4732	State Department of Human Resources.
4733	4733	(18) Any additional information required by the court
4734	4734	in its discretion.
4735	4735	(b) The investigative report shall be submitted in a
4736	4736	2269
4737	4737	2270
4738	4738	2271
4739	4739	2272
4740	4740	2273
4741	4741	2274
4742	4742	2275
4743	4743	2276
4744	4744	2277
4745	4745	2278
4746	4746	2279
4747	4747	2280
4748	4748	2281
4749	4749	2282
4750	4750	2283
4751	4751	2284
4752	4752	2285
4753	4753	2286
4754	4754	2287
4755	4755	2288
4756	4756	2289
4757	4757	2290
4758	4758	2291
4759	4759	2292
4760	4760	2293
4761	4761	2294
4762	4762	2295
4763	4763	2296 HB190 INTRODUCED
4764	4764	Page 83
4765	4765	(b) The investigative report shall be submitted in a
4766	4766	form developed by the State Department of Human Resources in
4767	4767	conjunction with the Alabama Probate Judges Association and
4768	4768	the Alabama Law Institute. The investigative report shall be
4769	4769	filed with the court prior to the hearing on the final
4770	4770	judgment of adoption. The investigative report shall contain
4771	4771	information obtained within 12 months preceding the hearing on
4772	4772	the final judgment of adoption.
4773	4773	(c) No report of fees and charges under Section
4774	4774	26-10E-22 shall be made unless ordered by the court.
4775	4775	(d) The required investigation shall be performed by
4776	4776	the State Department of Human Resources.
4777	4777	(e) When an investigation has been conducted, the
4778	4778	investigative report shall not be conclusive but may be
4779	4779	considered along with other evidence.
4780	4780	(f) The court may order the appointment of a court
4781	4781	representative to investigate and evaluate any matters
4782	4782	relating to adoption, including the best interest of the
4783	4783	adoptee.
4784	4784	(g) If applicable to the adoption, the court shall
4785	4785	ensure compliance with the Interstate Compact on the Placement
4786	4786	of Children, Article 2, Chapter 2 of Title 44. Proof of
4787	4787	compliance is determined by the authorized signatures of the
4788	4788	sending and receiving states on the Interstate Compact on the
4789	4789	Placement of Children Request Form.
4790	4790	Section 3. This act shall become effective on January
4791	4791	1, 2026.
4792	4792	2297
4793	4793	2298
4794	4794	2299
4795	4795	2300
4796	4796	2301
4797	4797	2302
4798	4798	2303
4799	4799	2304
4800	4800	2305
4801	4801	2306
4802	4802	2307
4803	4803	2308
4804	4804	2309
4805	4805	2310
4806	4806	2311
4807	4807	2312
4808	4808	2313
4809	4809	2314
4810	4810	2315
4811	4811	2316
4812	4812	2317
4813	4813	2318
4814	4814	2319
4815	4815	2320
4816	4816	2321
4817	4817	2322