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 paternity claims, and revises the requirements for investigative reports related to minor adoptions. Significant legal language changes involve replacing "person" with "individual" to improve clarity, as well as deleting outdated references and updating section numbers to reflect current practices.

Additionally, SB94 outlines specific requirements for consent in adoption proceedings, including the necessity for written documentation and the conditions under which consent can be withdrawn. The bill emphasizes the importance of thorough pre-placement and post-placement investigations, mandating background checks and suitability letters for all adults in the petitioners' home. It also modifies the procedures for grandparent visitation rights, establishing criteria for filing and emphasizing the need to balance parental rights with the child's best interests. Overall, SB94 aims to streamline the adoption process while ensuring the rights and welfare of all parties involved, particularly the adoptee, are adequately 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