The bill SB94 amends the Alabama Minor Adoption Code and the Alabama Adult Adoption Code to enhance and clarify the adoption process for both 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 introduces new confidentiality measures for adoption records, updates the process for filing notices of intent to claim paternity, and revises the requirements for investigative reports related to minor adoptions. Significant changes in legal language include replacing "person" with "individual" to improve clarity, and deleting outdated references to previous confidentiality sections, thereby aligning the law with current practices.

Additionally, SB94 outlines specific requirements for consent in adoption proceedings, including the necessity for express consent to be documented in writing and signed by the individual. It clarifies that consent may be granted without agency approval if the court finds it was unreasonably withheld and establishes a rebuttable presumption of implied consent under certain conditions. The bill also modifies the requirements for pre-placement and post-placement investigative reports, emphasizing thorough assessments of petitioners' suitability, including background checks and home safety inspections. Overall, SB94 aims to streamline the adoption process while prioritizing the best interests of the adoptee and ensuring the rights of all parties involved are protected.

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