SB223 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jerry L. Fielding

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

SB223 would redefine what counts as a delinquent or dependent child for the crime of endangering the welfare of a child, removing the civil adjudication prerequisite and using the juvenile court's criteria.

What This Bill Does

It ties the definitions of delinquent and dependent children for endangering welfare to the same criteria the juvenile court uses in civil cases. It removes the rule 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 updates internal citations and clarifies what constitutes a dependent child, including various conditions such as abuse, neglect, lack of a guardian, medical or educational neglect, and abandonment. The offense of endangering the welfare of a child would remain a Class A misdemeanor, with an effective date specified in the bill.

Who It Affects

• Parents or guardians: could be charged with endangering the welfare of a child based on the child’s delinquent or dependent status defined by juvenile court criteria, even without civil adjudication.
• Children subject to juvenile court care: their status as delinquent or dependent would influence endangering welfare charges, according to the juvenile court’s criteria rather than a separate civil adjudication.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 12-15-102 and 13A-13-6 to update the definition of 'dependent child' and to provide correct internal citations, aligning terminology with the bill's intent.
• Defines 'dependent child' with specific circumstances such as abuse or neglect by a guardian, absence of a guardian, medical or educational neglect, school non-attendance, abandonment, and other conditions requiring state care or supervision.
• Deletes the requirement that a child must be adjudicated delinquent or dependent in a civil proceeding before a person may be convicted of endangering the welfare of a child.
• Requires that 'delinquent child' and 'dependent child' for purposes of endangering welfare be defined using the same criteria the juvenile court uses for civil determinations, without the need for adjudication.
• Maintains endangering the welfare of a child as a Class A misdemeanor.

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