SB182 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

T.D. “Ted” Little

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Wendell Mitchell

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Child custody disputes, procedures for prevention of child abduction, credible risk for abduction factors, applicable to certain international abductions, emergency measures, Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act

Summary

SB182 would adopt the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act in Alabama to prevent child abduction in custody disputes by allowing courts to order abduction prevention measures, emergency actions, and travel/passport controls when there is credible risk.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates a structured process for parents or guardians to seek abduction prevention orders in custody cases where there is credible risk of abduction. It authorizes emergency and ex parte actions, including travel restrictions and placing the child on a passport alert program, to prevent abduction, including international cases. It provides a detailed framework for how courts assess risk, issue orders, and coordinate with law enforcement and other jurisdictions, with rules on the duration and potential consequences of these orders.

Who It Affects

• Parents or guardians involved in child custody disputes, who could petition for abduction prevention measures and may be subject to travel restrictions, passport controls, and custody/visitation adjustments if risk is found.
• Children who are the subject of custody proceedings, who would be protected by abduction prevention orders and may experience temporary custody changes, supervised visitation, or travel restrictions designed to prevent abduction.

Key Provisions

• Adopts Alabama Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act and defines key terms (abduction, credible risk, petition, travel document, etc.).
• Authors courts to order abduction prevention measures in a child-custody proceeding when there is credible risk, including travel restrictions and enrollment in the passport alert program for the child.
• Allows emergency measures and ex parte orders to prevent abduction, including warrants to take physical custody and expedited procedures with cross-border enforcement.
• Provides a detailed risk-factor framework to determine credible risk, including prior abductions, threats, planning indicators (e.g., abandoning work or residence, obtaining travel documents), domestic violence, and international risk indicators related to the destination country and Hague Convention factors.
• Sets jurisdiction rules, allowing temporary emergency actions when a child is present in Alabama and there is credible risk, and outlines requirements for petition contents.
• Specifies the duration of abduction prevention orders (ending at a stated time, emancipation, age 19, or when modified by a court under the Uniform Act) and a process for review or modification.
• Allows courts to award costs and expenses related to abduction prevention procedures and emphasizes uniform application across states.

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

Subjects

Family Law