The bill amends Section 26-17-636 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to provide for the retroactivity of child support orders under specific circumstances. Notably, if a child-support order is issued within the first year after the child's birth, it may be retroactive to nine months prior to the child's birth. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a parent's liability for past support is generally limited to two years before the enforcement action unless a support order has been previously established. The bill also includes provisions that ensure no child-support order can be authorized if the child is not born alive.

In terms of technical revisions, the bill updates the language regarding the assessment of fees and costs in paternity proceedings, specifying that the court may order fees to be paid from a designated fund if a party is unable to pay. It also clarifies that the court may not assess fees against the support-enforcement agency except as provided by other laws. Other changes include the removal of outdated language and the addition of provisions regarding the amendment of birth certificates when court orders differ from the original documents. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26-17-636, 26-17-636
Engrossed: 26-17-636, 26-17-636