HB376 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Mike Jones
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Juvenile court, adoptions, exclusive jurisdiction of termination of parental rights cases, Legislative intent, Sec. 12-15-114 am'd.
Summary: HB376 makes the juvenile court the exclusive original authority to hear termination of parental rights cases in Alabama, clarifies related jurisdiction, and applies this retroactively to 2009.
What This Bill Does
The bill changes the law so the juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction over termination of parental rights proceedings. It also states the Legislature's intent that the juvenile court handle these cases and related matters, and it sets retroactivity to January 1, 2009, with any orders issued during that period still valid unless reversed on appeal. It also clarifies that dependency actions are separate from custody disputes.

Who It Affects
Children and families involved in termination of parental rights cases, who will have their cases heard in the juvenile court
Juvenile court, child welfare agencies, and legal system staff responsible for handling termination of parental rights and related juvenile proceedings

Key Provisions
Amends Section 12-15-114 to give exclusive original jurisdiction over termination of parental rights proceedings to the juvenile court
Explicitly states the Legislature's intent that the juvenile court exercise exclusive original jurisdiction in termination of parental rights cases and related proceedings
Provides retroactivity to January 1, 2009 for termination of parental rights cases filed in juvenile court and validates orders issued during that period unless reversed on appeal

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