HB378 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ronald Grantland

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Jamie IsonRandy WoodHoward SanderfordDavid GrimesPhil WilliamsMicky HammonRichard J. LairdMary Sue McClurkinAlan BakerChad FincherHarry ShiverJeff McLaughlinMike CurtisAlan HarperBill J. DukesWilliam E. ThigpenElwyn ThomasCam WardMike BallElaine Beech

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Class action lawsuits filed in Alabama, plan for undistributed funds to be distributed to Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Department if class members cannot be located, or if distribution to class is not economically feasible, or if class members do not make a claim to the class funds

Summary

HB378 would require class action settlements in Alabama that create a common fund to include a plan for distributing leftover funds, with unclaimed money ultimately going to the Children's Trust Fund through the Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention.

What This Bill Does

It would require that all orders or judgments in Alabama class actions creating a common fund include a specific plan for when residual funds are considered unclaimed and when they will be distributed to the Children's Trust Fund. At the end of a class action, any residual funds that cannot be distributed to members (due to unlocated members, infeasible distributions, or no claims) would be paid to the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention to administer under that plan.

Who It Affects

• Class members in Alabama who are part of class actions; leftover funds may not be paid to them directly if they are unlocated or do not claim.
• The Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and the Children's Trust Fund; they will receive and administer residual funds under the plan.

Key Provisions

• All class action settlements or judgments creating a common fund must establish a plan that specifies when residual funds are unclaimed and when such funds will be transferred to the Children's Trust Fund via the Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention.
• At the end of a class action, residual funds that cannot be distributed to class members (unlocated members, infeasible distributions, or no claims) shall be distributed to the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention under the plan, which administers the funds and directs them as specified.

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

Subjects

Civil Procedure