SB406 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip W. Williams

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Jerry L. FieldingBryan TaylorPaul Bussman

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Juvenile proceedings, juvenile court and Department of Human Resources proceedings, notice to affected parties, attendance at proceeding, department failure to give notice, evidence inadmissible, Sec. 12-15-145 added

Summary

SB406 would guarantee notice and attendance rights for all people affected by juvenile court proceedings and make evidence inadmissible if the responsible party does not provide notice.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new provision that all persons affected by a juvenile court proceeding have the right to notice, to attend, and for their counsel to receive notice and attend. It specifies who must be given notice (including the child’s class member, parents, foster parents, guardians ad litem, relative caregivers, preadoptive parents, and any other party with a right to be heard) and extends these rights to any proceedings created by Department of Human Resources administrative rules. It also states that if the Department of Human Resources or another responsible party fails to provide notice, any evidence obtained during the proceeding is inadmissible in court. The law would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• Children involved in juvenile court proceedings (delinquency, dependency, or custody) and their immediate family and caregivers (parents, foster parents, guardians ad litem, relative caregivers, preadoptive parents) who will have rights to notice and attendance and their counsel’s notice.
• Department of Human Resources and other parties responsible for the child’s case, who must provide notice; if they fail, evidence from the proceeding may be deemed inadmissible.
• Other parties with a right to be heard in juvenile proceedings, who are entitled to notice and the opportunity to attend as applicable.

Key Provisions

• Section 12-15-145(a): All persons affected by a juvenile court proceeding shall have the right to notice, to attend, and for their counsel to receive notice and attend; notice must be given to specified groups (class member, parent, foster parent, guardian ad litem, relative caregiver, preadoptive parent, and other parties with rights to be heard) and applies to all related proceedings and any administrative rule proceedings promulgated by the Department of Human Resources.
• Section 12-15-145(b): If the Department of Human Resources or another responsible party fails to provide the required notice, any evidence obtained during the proceeding is inadmissible in court.

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

Subjects

Children