HB472 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jeremy GrayRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to juvenile court; to amend Sections 12-15-110, 12-15-117, 12-15-203, 12-15-204, 12-15-215, 12-19-171, 12-19-181, 12-19-182, 12-19-311, 12-23-7, 12-23-12, 12-23-13, 13A-5-2, 13A-5-11, 13A-5-12, and 15-23-17, Code of Alabama 1975, to eliminate fines, fees, and court costs in juvenile court and to discharge outstanding fines, fees, and court costs previously ordered by a juvenile court; to eliminate the requirement for certain parents, legal guardians, or legal custodians to pay child support when a child is placed in the legal custody of the department, agency, organization, entity, or person; to repeal Section 12-15-109, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to court orders for maintenance and care of children; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

Summary

HB472 would eliminate fines, fees, and court costs in juvenile court, discharge any outstanding amounts, remove the requirement for certain parents to pay child support when a child is placed in state custody, repeal a related provision, and update language.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill would remove all fines, fees, and court costs in juvenile court and discharge any outstanding amounts that were previously ordered. It would also end the obligation for parents, guardians, or custodians with resources to pay child support when a child is placed in the legal custody of the department or other entity. The bill repeals Section 12-15-109 (court orders for maintenance and care of children) and makes nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the code language.

Who It Affects

• Juvenile court defendants and their families: fines, fees, and court costs in juvenile court would be eliminated and any outstanding amounts previously ordered would be discharged.
• Parents, legal guardians, or custodians with resources: would no longer be required to pay child support when a child is placed in the custody of the department, agency, or other authorized entity.
• Local and state court administration: juvenile court would no longer collect fines, fees, or court costs in juvenile cases.

Key Provisions

• Amendments to multiple sections (including 12-15-110, 12-15-117, 12-15-203, 12-15-204, 12-15-215, 12-19-171, 12-19-181, 12-19-182, 12-19-311, 12-23-7, 12-23-12, 12-23-13, 13A-5-2, 13A-5-11, 13A-5-12, and 15-23-17) to eliminate fines, fees, and court costs in juvenile court and to discharge outstanding amounts.
• Elimination of child support obligation: removes the requirement for certain parents/guardians to pay child support when a child is placed in the legal custody of the department or other specified entity.
• Repeal of Section 12-15-109: repeals the statute related to court orders for maintenance and care of children.
• Nonsubstantive revisions: makes technical language updates to align with current style.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.