HB12 Alabama 2012 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jay Love

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2012

Title

Bonds, general obligation bonds issued by state, aggregate principal amount limitations specified, not subject to certain other const. limitations, const. amend.

Summary

The bill expands and clarifies the juvenile court's authority over adoptions transferred from probate court and over ongoing child support, custody, and visitation issues, with retroactive effect.

What This Bill Does

It gives the juvenile court original jurisdiction over adoptions that have been transferred from probate court. It allows the juvenile court to establish, modify, or enforce support, visitation, or custody when it has previously established parentage, and to modify or enforce child and spousal support in Title IV-D cases. The juvenile court would generally retain jurisdiction to enforce or modify its previous orders, and other courts or state agencies that determined parentage or ordered support would retain jurisdiction to enforce or modify those orders. The act applies retroactively to cases filed in juvenile court from January 1, 2009 up to the act's effective date, and any orders issued under this act would not be invalid due to lack of jurisdiction.

Who It Affects

• Families and individuals involved in adoptions, child support, parenting, and custody matters that could be handled by the juvenile court (including cases moved from probate court).
• Courts and state agencies responsible for enforcing or modifying such orders (juvenile, district, and circuit courts; Title IV-D program).

Key Provisions

• A juvenile court gains original jurisdiction over adoptions transferred from probate court.
• A juvenile court can establish, modify, or enforce support, visitation, or custody when it has previously established parentage.
• A juvenile court can modify or enforce child and spousal support in Title IV-D cases.
• A juvenile court generally retains jurisdiction to enforce or modify previous orders it issued.
• A court that determined parentage or established, modified, or enforced support generally retains jurisdiction to enforce or modify those previous orders.
• The act applies retroactively to cases filed in juvenile court on or after January 1, 2009 and before the act's effective date; orders issued under this act remain valid.
• The act is curative and aims to reaffirm the juvenile court's continuing jurisdiction as intended by prior law.
• Section 3 preserves circuit court custody, visitation, or support jurisdiction for cases filed after January 1, 2009 and before the act's effective date.
• Section 4 repeals conflicting laws; Section 5 makes the act effective immediately after the governor signs it.

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

Subjects

Bonds