SB318 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kirk HatcherSenator

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.1

Summary

SB318 would end fines, fees, and court costs in juvenile court, discharge outstanding amounts, drop child-support obligations for parents when a child is placed in state custody, repeal related maintenance orders, and update the code language.

What This Bill Does

It would remove fines, court costs, and other fees from juvenile court proceedings and forgive any amounts previously ordered by a juvenile court. It would eliminate the requirement for certain parents, guardians, or custodians with resources to pay child support when a child is placed in the legal custody of the department or other state entities. It would repeal Section 12-15-109, which deals with court orders for maintenance and care of children. It would make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the code language to current style.

Who It Affects

• Juvenile offenders and their families, because fines, fees, and court costs in juvenile court would be eliminated and any outstanding amounts would be discharged.
• Parents, legal guardians, or custodians with resources who would have been required to pay child support when a child is placed in state custody, because that obligation would be removed.

Key Provisions

• Eliminate fines, fees, and court costs in juvenile court and discharge outstanding fines, fees, and court costs previously ordered by a juvenile court.
• 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.
• Repeal Section 12-15-109, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to court orders for maintenance and care of children.
• Make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to 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.