HB639 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Irons

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Demetrius C. NewtonPebblin W. WarrenYvonne KennedyMerika ColemanPatricia Todd

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Driver's license, suspension or restriction due to child support arrearage, cost of contempt petition, reimbursement of attorney fees and court costs by obligor required before license may be restored, Sec. 30-3-177 am'd.

Summary

The bill requires obligors who face a contempt petition for unpaid child support to reimburse the obligee's attorney fees and court costs, and it prevents license restoration until those costs are paid and the court order is satisfied.

What This Bill Does

When a contempt petition is filed to suspend or restrict a driver's license for not paying child support, the court must order the obligor to reimburse the obligee for attorney fees and court costs. The obligor cannot have their driver's license reinstated until they pay those costs and comply with the court's order. The statute is amended to allow licensing actions (like withholding, restricted use, suspension, revocation, or termination of a license) when the obligor has not followed previous court orders, and to require reimbursement of fees and costs as part of the court order. This applies specifically to contempt petitions seeking license-related action for failure to pay court-ordered child support.

Who It Affects

• Obligor (the parent who owes child support) who must reimburse the obligee's attorney fees and court costs and may face license suspension or restrictions until those costs are paid and orders are satisfied.
• Obligee (the parent or guardian receiving child support) who may file the contempt petition and would be reimbursed for attorney fees and court costs as ordered.

Key Provisions

• When a contempt petition is filed to suspend or restrict a driver's license for failing to pay child support, the court must order the obligor to reimburse the obligee for the attorney fees and court costs associated with the petition.
• The court may not authorize reinstatement of the obligor's driver's license until the obligor has reimbursed the obligee for those attorney fees and court costs and has complied with the court's order to the satisfaction of the court.
• The act amends Section 30-3-177 to authorize the court to withhold, restrict, suspend, revoke, or terminate an obligor's license when the obligor has failed to follow previous orders, and to require reimbursement of fees and costs as part of that order, with reinstatement conditioned on payment and compliance.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles