The bill SB94 amends various sections of the Alabama Code concerning the adoption process, specifically targeting the Alabama Minor Adoption Code and the Alabama Adult Adoption Code. Key changes include the establishment of a putative father registry to document individuals claiming paternity for children born out of wedlock, along with updated procedures for minor and adult adoptions, and the management of adoption records. The bill replaces the term "person" with "individual" in several instances to enhance clarity and deletes references to outdated sections of the code, ensuring that confidentiality provisions and notification procedures are aligned with current standards. Additionally, it introduces new definitions for terms such as "adoptee," "legal father," and "putative father," while emphasizing the best interests of the adoptee throughout the adoption process.

Further amendments focus on the consent and relinquishment process, requiring express consent to be documented in writing and allowing for withdrawal under specific conditions. The bill mandates comprehensive pre-placement and post-placement investigations, including background checks and suitability assessments for all adults in the household. It also clarifies the responsibilities of the court in contested adoptions, ensuring that all parties receive adequate notice and representation. Notably, the bill modifies grandparent visitation rights, emphasizing the importance of a fit parent's decisions while allowing grandparents to seek visitation under certain circumstances. Overall, SB94 aims to modernize and streamline the adoption process in Alabama while safeguarding the rights and welfare of all involved parties.

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