SB311 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tammy Irons
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Child support, failure to pay, courts authorized to fine and imprison for contempt, Sec. 12-11-30 am'd.
Summary: SB311 allows courts to hold people in contempt for failing to pay child support and imposes fines and short jail terms, extending these powers to circuit, district, and juvenile courts.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends Section 12-11-30 to let circuit courts punish contempt for nonpayment of child support with a fine, imprisonment, or both for the first offense. For subsequent offenses, the punishment can be a fine and up to 15 days in jail, or both. It also applies these contempt punishment rules to district and juvenile courts.

Who It Affects
Parents or guardians who are ordered to pay child support and who fail to do so, potentially facing contempt fines and short jail time.
Circuit, district, and juvenile courts in Alabama, along with their enforcement processes, which would be enabled to impose contempt penalties for nonpayment of child support.

Key Provisions
Amends 12-11-30 to allow circuit courts to punish contempt for nonpayment of child support with fines, imprisonment, or both.
First offense punishment: up to $100 fine and up to 5 days in jail, or both.
Subsequent offenses punishment: up to $100 fine and up to 15 days in jail, or both.
Extends these contempt punishment provisions to district courts and juvenile courts, applying the same penalties.

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