The bill SB94 amends the Alabama Minor Adoption Code and the Alabama Adult Adoption Code to enhance and clarify the procedures surrounding the adoption of minors and adults. Key provisions include the establishment of a putative father registry by the State Department of Human Resources, which will document individuals claiming paternity for children born out of wedlock. The bill also introduces new confidentiality measures for adoption records, stipulating that records related to subsidized adoptions can only be disclosed in accordance with updated legal sections. Additionally, the bill replaces the term "person" with "individual" in various contexts, clarifies the definition of "relinquishment," and updates terminology related to child-placing agencies. It mandates that petitions for adoption be filed in specific probate courts and outlines the requirements for consent in adoption proceedings, including the appointment of a guardian ad litem for minor parents.

Furthermore, SB94 modifies the requirements for pre-placement and post-placement investigations, emphasizing thorough assessments of petitioners' suitability, including background checks and home safety inspections. The bill also clarifies the conditions under which consent for adoption can be bypassed and establishes a rebuttable presumption of implied consent in certain situations. It introduces new provisions for grandparent visitation rights, ensuring that a fit parent's decision is given special weight while balancing state interests. Overall, SB94 aims to streamline the adoption process, enhance the protection of adoptees' welfare, and ensure that the rights of biological parents and other parties involved are respected. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26-10-28, 26-10C-1, 26-10E-2, 26-10E-4, 26-10E-5, 26-10E-7, 26-10E-8, 26-10E-9, 26-10E-10, 26-10E-11, 26-10E-14, 26-10E-15, 26-10E-16, 26-10E-17, 26-10E-18, 26-10E-19, 26-10E-23, 26-10E-24, 26-10E-26, 26-10E-27, 26-10E-29, 26-10E-30, 26-10E-31, 26-10E-32, 26-10E-34, 26-10F-2, 26-10F-5, 26-10F-6, 26-10F-9, 26-10F-10, 26-10F-11, 26-10F-12, 26-10F-13, 26-10F-15, 26-10F-17, 30-3-4
Enrolled: 26-10-28, 26-10C-1, 26-10E-2, 26-10E-4, 26-10E-5, 26-10E-7, 26-10E-8, 26-10E-9, 26-10E-10, 26-10E-11, 26-10E-14, 26-10E-15, 26-10E-16, 26-10E-17, 26-10E-18, 26-10E-19, 26-10E-23, 26-10E-24, 26-10E-26, 26-10E-27, 26-10E-28, 26-10E-29, 26-10E-30, 26-10E-31, 26-10E-32, 26-10E-34, 26-10F-2, 26-10F-5, 26-10F-6, 26-10F-9, 26-10F-10, 26-10F-11, 26-10F-12, 26-10F-13, 26-10F-15, 26-10F-16, 26-10F-17, 30-3-4, 26-10E-19, 26-10-28, 26-10C-1, 26-10E-2, 26-10E-4, 26-10E-5, 26-10E-7, 26-10E-8, 26-10E-9, 26-10E-10, 26-10E-11, 26-10E-14, 26-10E-15, 26-10E-16, 26-10E-17, 26-10E-18, 26-10E-19, 26-10E-23, 26-10E-24, 26-10E-26, 26-10E-27, 26-10E-28, 26-10E-29, 26-10E-30, 26-10E-31, 26-10E-32, 26-10E-34, 26-10F-2, 26-10F-5, 26-10F-6, 26-10F-9, 26-10F-10, 26-10F-11, 26-10F-12, 26-10F-13, 26-10F-15, 26-10F-16, 26-10F-17, 30-3-4