SB337 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

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

SB337 would give the juvenile court exclusive original jurisdiction over all termination of parental rights cases and make that rule retroactive to 2009.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would shift all termination of parental rights proceedings to the juvenile court as the sole original forum. It states the Legislature's intent to keep the juvenile court as the primary venue for these cases. It also makes the change retroactive to January 1, 2009, and says orders issued by the juvenile court during the relevant period remain valid unless overturned on appeal.

Who It Affects

• Juvenile court system: gains exclusive original jurisdiction over all termination of parental rights proceedings.
• Parents, guardians, and children involved in termination of parental rights cases: their TPR petitions would be heard in juvenile court; retroactive provisions may affect past cases and orders.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 12-15-114 to give the juvenile court exclusive original jurisdiction over termination of parental rights proceedings.
• Expresses the Legislature's intent regarding the juvenile court's jurisdiction in termination of parental rights cases.
• Provides retroactivity to January 1, 2009, applying to TPR proceedings filed after that date and prior to the act's effective date; juvenile court orders issued during that time are deemed valid unless reversed on appeal.
• Includes severability clause and immediate effectiveness upon passage.

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