SB296 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will BarfootSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Courts, probate courts, general jurisdiction over orphans' business deleted, const. amend.

Summary

SB296 would remove the constitutional grant that gave probate courts in Alabama general jurisdiction over orphans' business.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, probate courts in each county would no longer have general jurisdiction over orphans' business, including matters like adoptions, letters testamentary, administration, and guardianships. The authority to handle these matters would be defined by other laws or by other courts, rather than by a blanket constitutional grant to probate courts. The exact redistribution of responsibilities would be determined by future law, and the circuit court’s role in estate settlement would continue only as defined by those laws. The amendment would take effect only if approved by a majority of voters in a statewide election.

Who It Affects

• Probate courts in each Alabama county would lose their general jurisdiction over orphans' business.
• Orphans and their families, including adoptive families and guardians, would see changes in how matters such as adoptions, guardianships, and estate administration are handled.

Key Provisions

• Deletes the constitutional provision granting probate courts general jurisdiction over orphans' business (adoptions, letters testamentary, administration, guardianships).
• Establishes that the resulting distribution of authority for these matters would be determined by future law, not by the current general grant to probate courts.
• Requires a statewide vote for the amendment to become part of the Constitution.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments