HB401 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Allen Farley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Children, endangering the welfare, delinquent child and dependent child for purposes of conviction, technical citation corrected, Secs. 12-15-102, 13A-13-6 am'd.

Summary

HB401 updates Alabama law to redefine dependent and delinquent children for endangering the welfare of a child, removes the civil adjudication prerequisite, and aligns the crime with the juvenile court’s criteria.

What This Bill Does

It updates the definitions used in the juvenile justice law and fixes internal citations. It removes the requirement that a child must be adjudicated delinquent or dependent in a civil proceeding before someone can be convicted of endangering the welfare of a child. It says a delinquent or dependent child for purposes of endangering welfare is defined by the same criteria the juvenile court uses in civil cases, and allows conviction based on those criteria even without a civil adjudication. It keeps endangering the welfare of a child as a Class A misdemeanor.

Who It Affects

• Parents, guardians, or other caregivers who could be charged with endangering welfare if they fail to exercise reasonable diligence to prevent a child from becoming delinquent or dependent under the new definitions.
• Children and families involved with the juvenile court (delinquent or dependent children) and the juvenile court system, since the definitions and charges will apply without requiring civil adjudication and will be aligned with the court’s standards.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 12-15-102 and 13A-13-6 to update the definition of 'dependent child' and ensure internal citations reflect current law.
• Defines 'dependent child' with specific circumstances (e.g., abuse, neglect, lack of parental support, failure to provide medical care, truancy, or other conditions showing the child needs care or protection).
• Replaces the previous rule that a child must be adjudicated delinquent or dependent in a civil proceeding before a criminal endangering welfare conviction may occur.
• States that a delinquent child or dependent child for endangering welfare is determined by the same criteria used by the juvenile court in civil proceedings, without requiring formal adjudication by the juvenile court for purposes of this crime.
• Maintains endangering the welfare of a child as a Class A misdemeanor and clarifies the relationship between the statute and parental/caregiver responsibilities.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Children