SB18 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Merika ColemanSenator
Democrat
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Child support, retroactivity provided for in certain circumstances
Summary: SB18 would allow some child-support orders issued within the first year after birth to be retroactive to nine months before birth, update the code language, and set a two-year look-back for past-due support, with an effective date of October 1, 2025.
What This Bill Does
Allows a child-support order entered within the first year after birth to be retroactive to nine months before birth. Limits past-due support liabilities to the two years before enforcement unless a prior support order exists. Makes nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the code language. Establishes an October 1, 2025 effective date for the act.

Who It Affects
Parents or guardians involved in child-support cases, especially those related to newborns within the first year after birth (potential retroactive support and its calculation).
State and local child-support enforcement entities, the courts, and agencies (e.g., Department of Human Resources) that handle fees, costs, enforcement actions, and related administrative tasks.

Key Provisions
Retroactive child-support orders: if the order is entered within the first year after the child’s birth, it may be retroactive to nine months prior to the birth.
Past-due support look-back: a parent’s liability for past support is limited to the two years immediately preceding the start of an enforcement action, unless a prior order exists.
Nonsubstantive revisions: updates to the code language for current style (no change in substantive rights or duties beyond formatting).
Birth certificate alignment: if the court’s order conflicts with the child’s birth certificate, the court must order an amended birth certificate by the Alabama Office of Vital Statistics.
Effective date: the act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

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