SB356 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Elder abuse, require redaction of contract information from court documents released to the public, to clarify that an elderly person of sound mind or body may hire legal counsel for representation, Sec. 38-9F-6 am'd.

Summary

SB 356 would protect elder abuse plaintiffs’ privacy in public court records by redacting contact information and would confirm that a sound-minded elderly person can hire legal representation to seek protection.

What This Bill Does

It would require redacting the plaintiff's home and business addresses, phone numbers, and the addresses or numbers of family or household members (and any shelter location) from court documents released to the public. It would also clarify that an elderly person who is of sound mind or body may hire legal representation to pursue relief under the Elder Abuse Protection Order and Enforcement Act. If necessary to determine jurisdiction or venue, the disclosure could be made orally in private chambers with no public presence. If the plaintiff does not disclose an address or phone number, the court could use an alternative address or the attorney's business address for court filings.

Who It Affects

• Elderly plaintiffs in elder abuse cases (and their families) — their personal contact information would be redacted from public court records, and they would be allowed to hire an attorney to represent them.
• Defendants, the general public, and court personnel/attorneys involved in these cases — access to plaintiff contact information would be restricted to redacted data, with private judicial disclosures allowed when needed for legal purposes.

Key Provisions

• Redact the plaintiff's home address, business address, and all phone numbers from court documents released to the public.
• Redact any address or phone number of family or household members and any shelter location data.
• If necessary for jurisdiction or venue, disclose information orally in the private chambers of the judge with no public presence.
• If the plaintiff does not disclose an address or phone number, provide an alternative address or use the attorney's business address for court filings.
• Clarify that an elderly person who is of sound mind or body may hire legal representation to pursue relief under the act.
• The act preserves the rule that court costs or fees for filing or service are not charged to the petitioner or plaintiff; costs may be charged to the defendant at the court's discretion.

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

Subjects

Elderly