Senate Bill 47 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Child support; retroactivity provided for in certain circumstances

Summary

SB47 would allow some child-support orders entered within the first year after a child's birth to be retroactive to nine months before birth, plus small non-substantive updates to the law; it takes effect on October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

If a child-support order is issued within the first year after birth, the court may set the retroactive date as nine months before birth. This retroactivity does not apply if the child was not born alive. For other cases, past-due support is generally limited to two years before enforcement action unless a prior order exists. The bill also makes nonsubstantive revisions to update the code language to current style and clarifies certain fee and cost provisions in related actions.

Who It Affects

• Parents who owe or receive child support in cases filed within the first year after birth, potentially changing how far back they owe or are owed support.
• Courts, the Department of Human Resources, and other state enforcement entities that handle parentage and child-support actions and related costs.

Key Provisions

• Retroactive child-support orders entered within the first year after birth may be retroactive to nine months before the birth (for live births).
• If the child is not born alive, retroactivity does not apply; past-due support generally is limited to two years before enforcement action unless a prior order exists.
• Nonsubstantive, technical revisions update the code language to current style.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Family Law