HB18 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joseph C. Mitchell

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Child abuse or neglect, disability of parent or child under federal Americans With Disabilities Act not to be considered in reporting or determining, Sec. 26-14-2 am'd.

Summary

The bill says disability of a parent or child must not be used in reporting child abuse or neglect and it protects reasonable parental discipline that is not harmful.

What This Bill Does

It amends Alabama law to state that mental, physical, or developmental disabilities cannot be the basis for reporting a child as abused or neglected. It also clarifies that the law should not interfere with raising a child and allows reasonable parental discipline that is not injurious to the child’s health, safety, or welfare. The overall aim is to protect children while preventing disability status from triggering abuse reports.

Who It Affects

• Parents or guardians of children, including those with disabilities, whose actions and status cannot be used to automatically trigger abuse or neglect reports; they can still discipline their children if it is not injurious.
• Child welfare authorities and related agencies that respond to abuse or neglect reports, who must focus on the child s welfare rather than disability status when evaluating cases.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 26-14-2 to declare that disability of the parent or child shall not be considered in reporting child abuse or neglect.
• Clarifies that the chapter is not to be construed as interfering with raising a child and allows reasonable parental discipline that is not injurious to the health, safety, or welfare of the child.
• Establishes the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Child Abuse