SB163 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Family law, paternity, alleged father, testing where mother alleges, by word or publication

Summary

The bill would let a man who a mother says is the father of her child request a paternity test and pay for it, with proof that the mother made the allegation.

What This Bill Does

If a woman alleges that a man is the father of her child (born or unborn), that alleged father would be entitled to a paternity test. The alleged father must prove that the mother made the allegation, either by spoken words or by publication. The person requesting the test would pay the costs. The bill does not change existing rights to acknowledge paternity by placing a name on the putative father registry.

Who It Affects

• Alleged fathers who are named by a mother as the potential father and who could request a paternity test (and would pay the test costs).
• Mothers of children (born or unborn) who allege that a man is the father, and who must provide proof that the allegation was made (by spoken words or publication) to trigger testing.

Key Provisions

• If a woman alleges a person is the father of her child (born or unborn), the alleged father is entitled to a paternity test.
• The alleged father must prove that the mother made the allegation by spoken word or publication.
• The person requesting the test must pay the costs of the test.
• This act does not affect the right to acknowledge paternity by placing a name on the putative father registry.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval by the Governor (or when it becomes law otherwise).

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

Subjects

Family Law