SB361 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Bill Holtzclaw
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Human Resources Dept., child abuse and neglect, mandatory reporting requirements, military status of parent or guardian to be determined, notification to United States Department of Defense family advocacy program, required, Sec. 26-14-3 am'd.
Summary: SB361 requires Alabama's Department of Human Resources to determine if a child abuse or neglect case involves a military parent or guardian and, if so, notify the DoD Family Advocacy Program.
What This Bill Does
It preserves existing mandatory reporting rules but adds a requirement for the Department of Human Resources to determine the military status of the parent or guardian after a report is made. If the parent or guardian is in the military, DHR must notify the U.S. Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program at the relevant military installation that there is an active investigation involving the child. The measure takes effect immediately after the Governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects
Department of Human Resources and other mandatory reporters (hospitals, clinics, teachers, police, social workers, etc.) who must file reports and now must determine military status and, if applicable, notify DoD about investigations.
United States Department of Defense Family Advocacy Programs at military installations, which will receive notifications when an investigation involves a child of a military parent or guardian.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 26-14-3 to require the Department of Human Resources to make efforts to determine the military status of the parent or guardian of the child who is the subject of the allegation.
If the parent or guardian is in the military, the Department of Human Resources must notify a United States Department of Defense family advocacy program at the military installation of the parent or guardian that there is an allegation of child abuse or neglect being investigated.

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