This bill amends Section 26-17-636 of the Code of Alabama 1975, concerning the adjudication of parentage and the associated responsibilities. The bill outlines the court's authority to issue orders determining whether an alleged or claiming man is the parent of a child, and it specifies the details that must be included in such an order. It also details the allocation of fees, attorney's fees, costs for genetic testing, and other expenses related to the proceedings. The bill states that parties should pay their own expenses, but the court may direct payment proportions and, under certain circumstances, allow for payment from a designated fund if a party is unable to pay. The bill also clarifies that when the state or its agents bring an action, no filing fee is required, and the court may not assess fees against the support-enforcement agency except for good cause or as provided by other law.

Significant changes include the deletion of language that previously allowed the court to direct the father to pay the reasonable expenses of the mother's pregnancy and confinement. Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision stating that if a child support order is entered within the first year after the birth of the child, the order shall be retroactive to nine months prior to the birth of the child. This is a change from the previous limitation of a parent's liabilities for past support to a period of two years preceding the commencement of an enforcement action, unless an order of support had been previously entered. The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30-3-155, 30-3-155
Engrossed: 26-17-636, 26-17-636