SB7 Alabama 2019 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Larry StuttsSenator

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2019

Title

Child custody, parenting plan required in all cases, court established plan in certain cases, remedies for violations of plan, Sec. 30-3-158 added; Secs. 30-3-150, 30-3-151, 30-3-152, 30-3-153 am'd.

Summary

SB 7 would require parenting plans in all child custody cases, promote joint custody as a default approach, and add enforcement tools to ensure time-sharing is followed.

What This Bill Does

The bill updates custody definitions to match case law and defines joint physical custody as frequent, substantial, and maximized contact with both parents who share all parenting responsibilities. It creates a rebuttable presumption that joint custody is in the child's best interest, which can be overcome only with clear and convincing written findings. It requires every custody case to have a parenting plan, and lets the court establish a plan if the parents cannot agree. It adds remedies for not following the time-sharing schedule (such as makeup time, costs and attorney fees, and a court-approved parenting course) and requires enforcement of all parenting time, custody, and child support orders with equal importance, applicable to orders issued on or after January 1, 2020.

Who It Affects

• Children: would have structured time with both parents under joint custody and enforcement of time-sharing when needed.
• Parents (divorced or separated): must submit a parenting plan in all custody cases; may be subject to a joint custody presumption and to remedies and enforcement if they do not follow the plan.

Key Provisions

• Defines joint custody and joint physical custody as shared responsibilities and frequent, substantial contact with both parents.
• Creates a rebuttable presumption that joint custody is in the child's best interest, overcome only by clear and convincing written findings.
• Requires a parenting plan in every custody case; court can establish a plan if the parties cannot agree; plan details include time sharing, care, holidays, medical care, transportation, child support, decision-making, and expenses.
• Courts must enforce all parenting time, custody, and child support orders with equal importance to each.
• Adds remedies for noncompliance with time-sharing, including makeup time, reimbursement of costs and attorney fees, court-ordered parenting courses, and other remedies; these are in addition to contempt.
• Applies to orders issued on or after January 1, 2020 and does not retroactively change pre-2020 orders.

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