SB35 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

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

SB35 would require Alabama class action settlements with a common fund to have a plan for handling leftover money and to send unclaimed leftovers to the Children's Trust Fund run by the Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention.

What This Bill Does

When a class action in Alabama creates a common fund, the settlement or judgment must include a plan for how to handle any money left over after paying class members. The plan must specify when unclaimed funds can be considered unclaimed and when they should be distributed to the Children’s Trust Fund. If funds remain undistributed because class members cannot be located, distributing to individuals isn’t cost-effective, or after all members have had a chance to claim, those funds would go to the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention.

Who It Affects

• Class action plaintiffs and class members (potential recipients of funds) who may end up with unclaimed funds being redirected rather than distributed to individuals.
• Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, which would receive the residual funds to be directed to the Children’s Trust Fund.

Key Provisions

• Any class action in Alabama creating a common fund must include a specific plan for when residual funds become unclaimed and when they are distributed to the Children's Trust Fund.
• Residual funds that cannot be distributed to class members (due to unlocatable members, infeasibility of distribution, or after all claims are allowed) must be distributed to the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention in accordance with the plan.

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

Subjects

Civil Procedure