reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 5 - Child Death Review Teams. › Section 26-16-91 - Definitions.

Section 26-16-91
Definitions.
The following words and phrases have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) AUTOPSY. An external and internal examination, medical history, and record review.
(2) CHILD. A person who has not yet reached his or her eighteenth birthday.
(3) CHILD DEATHS TO BE REVIEWED. Those deaths which are unexpected or unexplained.
(4) COMMUNITY. The people and area within the local team jurisdiction.
(5) COUNTY. The county in which a deceased child resided prior to his or her death.
(6) INVESTIGATION. In the context of child death, includes all of the following:
a. A postmortem examination which may be limited to an external examination or may include an autopsy.
b. An inquiry by law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction into the circumstances of the death, including a scene investigation and interview with the child's parents, guardians, or caretakers and the person who reported the child's death.
c. A review of information regarding the child from relevant agencies, professionals, and providers of medical care.
(7) LOCAL TEAM. A multidisciplinary, multiagency child death review team established for a county or judicial circuit pursuant to Section 26-16-96.
(8) MEETING. In-person meetings and conferences as well as those through telephone and other live electronic means. Individual participation in meetings through electronic conferencing may be authorized through the state team chairperson or designee. Local teams may not meet by electronic means.
(9) PERSON ACTING IN A PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY. A health practitioner, law enforcement officer, employee of a local department of social services, undertaker, funeral home director or employee of a funeral home, or firefighter, who is acting in the course of his or her professional duties.
(10) PROVIDER OF MEDICAL CARE. Any health practitioner who personally provides, or a facility through which is provided, any medical evaluation or treatment, including dental and mental health evaluation or treatment.
(11) STATE TEAM. The State Child Death Review Team.
(12) UNEXPECTED/UNEXPLAINED. In referring to a child's death, includes all deaths which, prior to investigation, appear possibly to have been caused by trauma, suspicious or obscure circumstances, child abuse or neglect, or other agents or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
(Acts 97-893, p. 252, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 5 - Child Death Review Teams. › Section 26-16-92 - State Policy.

Section 26-16-92
State policy.
It is the policy of this state that responding to unexpected/unexplained child deaths is a state and a community responsibility and must include an accurate and complete determination of the cause of death.
(Act 97-893, p. 252, §3.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 5 - Child Death Review Teams. › Section 26-16-93 - State Child Death Review Team - Created.

Section 26-16-93
State Child Death Review Team - Created.
(a) There is hereby created the State Child Death Review Team, referred to in this article as the state team.
(b) The state team shall be situated within the Alabama Department of Public Health for administrative and budgetary purposes.
(c) The state team shall be a multidisciplinary, multiagency review team, composed of 28 members, the first 7 of whom are ex officio. The ex officio members may designate representatives from their particular departments or offices to represent them on the state team who may vote and exercise all other prerogatives of the appointment. The members of the state team shall include all of the following:
(1) The Jefferson County Coroner, Medical Examiner.
(2) The State Health Officer who shall serve as chair.
(3) One member appointed by the Alabama Sheriff's Association.
(4) The Director of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.
(5) The Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Human Resources.
(6) The Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
(7) The Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.
(8) A pediatrician with expertise in SIDS appointed by the Alabama Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics.
(9) A health professional with expertise in child abuse and neglect appointed by the Alabama Department of Public Health.
(10) A family practice physician appointed by the Alabama Academy of Family Physicians.
(11) A pediatric pathologist appointed by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.
(12) Eight private citizens appointed by the Governor.
(13) A member of the clergy appointed by the Governor.
(14) A representative of the Alabama Coroner's Association.
(15) A representative of the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers.
(16) A representative of the Alabama Sheriff's Association.
(17) A representative of the Alabama District Attorney's Association.
(18) A specialist in pediatric emergency medicine appointed by the Alabama Medical Association.
(19) A representative of the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police.
(20) Chair of the Senate Health Committee or his or her designee and the Chair of the House Health Committee or his or her designee.
(d) Members who are not ex officio shall serve for a three-year term and shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. Terms for these members shall be staggered.
(e) Staffing for the state team shall be provided through the Alabama Department of Public Health using funds appropriated for this article.
(f) The initial meeting of the state team shall be held within 60 days of September 11, 1997. Meetings shall be held at least quarterly thereafter.
(g) Fifteen members shall constitute a quorum for conducting all activities of the state team which may require a vote among the members. A simple majority of members present constituting a quorum shall be required for any affirmative vote.
(Act 97-893, p. 252, §4.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 5 - Child Death Review Teams. › Section 26-16-95 - Liability of Team Members.

Section 26-16-95
Liability of team members.
State and local team members shall be immune from any and all civil and criminal liability in connection with their good faith participation on the state or local team and all activities associated therewith, provided however, this immunity shall not be available in the event any state or local team member violates the provisions of confidentiality enumerated in this article.
(Act 97-893, p. 252, §6.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 5 - Child Death Review Teams. › Section 26-16-97 - Meetings; Disclosure of Information; Violation; Penalties.

Section 26-16-97
Meetings; disclosure of information; violation; penalties.
(a) Meetings of the state team and of local teams shall be closed to the public and not subject to the State Sunshine Law when the state team or local team is discussing a specific child death.
(b) Information identifying a deceased child, a family member, guardian or caretaker of a deceased child, or an alleged or suspected perpetrator of abuse or neglect upon a child, may not be disclosed during a meeting which is open to the public.
(c) Information regarding the involvement of any agency with the deceased child or family may not be disclosed during a public meeting.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing the state team or a local team from requesting the attendance at a team meeting of a person who has information relevant to the team's exercise of its purpose and duties.
(e) Any person who intentionally violates any portion of this section commits a Class C misdemeanor and shall be punished as prescribed by law.
Any person who violates the provisions of confidentiality in any proceedings conducted by either a local team or the state team shall be removed from the team in addition to any other penalty.
(Act 97-893, p. 252, §8.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 5 - Child Death Review Teams. › Section 26-16-98 - Confidentiality of Information and Records.

Section 26-16-98
Confidentiality of information and records.
(a) All information and records acquired by the state team or by a local team, in the exercise of its purpose and duties pursuant to this article, are confidential, exempt from disclosure under Section 41-13-1, and may only be disclosed as necessary to carry out the team's duties and purposes.
(b) Reports of the state team and of a local team which do not contain any information that would permit the identification of any person to be ascertained shall be public information.
(c) Except as necessary to carry out a team's purpose and duties, members of a team and persons attending a team meeting may not disclose what transpired at a meeting which is not public under Section 26-16-97, nor shall they disclose any information the disclosure of which is prohibited by this section.
(d) Members of a team, persons attending a team meeting, and persons who present information to a team may release information to such government agencies as is necessary for the purpose of carrying out assigned team duties.
(e) Information, documents, and records of the state team or of a local team are not subject to subpoena, discovery, or introduction into evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding, except that information, documents, and records otherwise available from other sources are not immune from subpoena, discovery, or introduction into evidence through those sources solely because they were presented during proceedings of the team or are maintained by a team.
(f) Moreover, notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), those criminal records, court records and other records that have been open to public inspection before September 11, 1997, shall remain open.
(Act 97-893, p. 252, §9.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 5 - Child Death Review Teams. › Section 26-16-99 - Duties of Coroner/medical Examiner.

Section 26-16-99
Duties of coroner/medical examiner.
The duties of the coroner/medical examiner shall include the following:
(1) Except in locations where a county medical examiner has jurisdiction, the coroner or a person acting in a professional capacity shall report the death of a child by telecommunications to the medical examiner or his or her representative as soon as possible upon discovery.
(2) Upon receipt of a report of a child death, the county medical examiner or state medical examiner shall determine whether the death appears to be unexpected/unexplained. If the death appears to be unexpected/unexplained, the county medical examiner or state medical examiner shall commence an investigation of the death consisting of a postmortem examination conducted by a state or county medical examiner. Upon the recommendation of the state medical examiner, with authorization from a district attorney, an autopsy may be conducted. A county medical examiner may conduct an autopsy at his or her discretion as authorized by existing statutes. This section should not be interpreted as mandating an autopsy. In a case where an autopsy is not performed, the postmortem examination shall consist of an external examination.
(Act 97-893, p. 252, §10.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 6 - Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Act. › Section 26-16-110 - Short Title.

Section 26-16-110
Short title.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Act.
(Act 2011-705, p. 2184, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 6 - Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Act. › Section 26-16-111 - Legislative Findings.

Section 26-16-111
Legislative findings.
The Legislature finds and declares all the following:
(1) Protection of the health and welfare of the infants of this state is a goal of its people and the unexpected or unexplained death of an infant is an important public health concern that requires legislative action.
(2) Death scene investigations and findings thereof can be particularly important in accurately diagnosing the manners and causes of infant deaths.
(3) Collecting accurate data on the cause and manner of unexpected infant deaths will better enable the state to protect infants from preventable deaths and will help reduce the incidence of infant deaths.
(Act 2011-705, p. 2184, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 6 - Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Act. › Section 26-16-112 - Definitions.

Section 26-16-112
Definitions.
For purposes of this arciclet, the following words shall have the following meanings:
(1) FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST. A pathologist trained or with experience in forensic pathology, licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in the State of Alabama and board certified by the American Board of Pathology, or under the direct supervision of a physician with these qualifications.
(2) INFANT DEATH. The sudden death of an person less than one year of age whose death occurs outside the direct care of a physician in a hospital or other health care setting.
(3) SUDDEN UNEXPLAINED INFANT DEATH (SUID). The sudden death of an infant less than one year of age whose death occurs outside the direct care of a physician in a hospital or other health care setting and whose cause of death is not reasonably ascertainable after a thorough investigation and examination by the person signing the death certificate.
(Act 2011-705, p. 2184, §3.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 6 - Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Act. › Section 26-16-113 - Alabama Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Team.

Section 26-16-113
Alabama Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Team.
(a) There is established the Alabama Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation (SUIDI) Team which for administrative purposes shall be organized within the Department of Public Health as a subcommittee of the State Child Death Review Team. The team is charged with the development, maintenance, and provision of SUIDI training curricula for the State of Alabama. The development and approval of infant death investigation protocol and reporting forms are not subject to the rule-making requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.
(b) In order to implement this article, the SUIDI Team shall do all of the following:
(1) Establish infant death scene investigation protocol.
(2) Develop and maintain the training standards, policies, and procedures related to investigating and reporting SUID in Alabama.
(3) Approve a standardized reporting form to be used in conjunction with the above procedures.
(Act 2011-705, p. 2184, §4.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 6 - Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Act. › Section 26-16-114 - Investigations; Training; Protocol and Reporting Forms.

Section 26-16-114
Investigations; training; protocol and reporting forms.
(a) An investigation shall be performed utilizing protocol and forms approved by the Alabama Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation (SUIDI) Team in all incidents of infant deaths.
(b) All law enforcement agencies within this state are responsible to ensure that all personnel who investigate infant deaths obtain training developed by the SUIDI Team on investigation protocol and completing reporting forms.
(c) All elected and appointed coroners and deputy coroners are responsible for obtaining training on investigation protocol and completing reporting forms in cases of infant deaths.
(d) The training, which shall be developed by the SUIDI Team, shall include a focus on the importance of being sensitive to the grief of family members and shall be consistent with the death scene investigation protocol approved by the SUIDI Team.
(e) The Alabama Department of Public Health shall be responsible for developing a team of trainers to provide infant death investigation training to law enforcement personnel, as well as coroners and deputy coroners.
(f) The Alabama Department of Public Health shall be responsible for disseminating infant death investigation protocol and reporting forms to the various law enforcement associations and the Alabama Coroner's Association within the state which shall in turn disseminate the protocol and reporting forms to the respective law enforcement agencies and coroners in this state.
(g) When changes occur in protocol pertaining to SUID investigations, the Alabama Department of Public Health shall promptly notify various law enforcement associations and the Alabama Coroner's Association within the state. The changes shall then be communicated in a timely manner to the respective law enforcement agencies and coroners for dissemination to their enforcement personnel.
(Act 2011-705, p. 2184, §5.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 16 - Child Abuse and Neglect. › Article 6 - Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Act. › Section 26-16-115 - Duties of County Coroner or Medical Examiner.

Section 26-16-115
Duties of county coroner or medical examiner.
(a) In every case of SUID, the county coroner or medical examiner shall be notified and cooperate and assist law enforcement with the death investigation.
(b) The county coroner or medical examiner shall obtain legal authorization to send the infant to a forensic pathologist for examination.
(c) The county coroner or medical examiner shall contact the appropriate law enforcement personnel to conduct a death investigation according to the protocol developed by the SUIDI Team. The investigation shall be initiated within 24 hours of the time the appropriate law enforcement personnel is contacted.
(d) The county coroner or medical examiner shall send a copy of the SUIDI Team approved investigative form to the forensic pathologist conducting the autopsy.
(Act 2011-705, p. 2184, §6.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-1 - Short Title.

Section 26-17-1
Short title.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-2 - Parent and Child Relationship - Defined.

Section 26-17-2
Parent and child relationship - Defined.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-3 - Parent and Child Relationship - Relationship Not Dependent Upon Marriage.

Section 26-17-3
Parent and child relationship - Relationship not dependent upon marriage.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §3.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-4 - Parent and Child Relationship - How Established.

Section 26-17-4
Parent and child relationship - How established.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §4.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-5 - Presumption of Paternity; Rebuttal.

Section 26-17-5
Presumption of paternity; rebuttal.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §5; Acts 1994, No. 94-705, p. 1362, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-6 - Action to Determine Father and Child Relationship.

Section 26-17-6
Action to determine father and child relationship.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §6; Acts 1994, No. 94-705, p. 1362, §1; Act 2000-673, p. 1340, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-7 - Style of Proceedings; Prosecution of Proceedings.

Section 26-17-7
Style of proceedings; prosecution of proceedings.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §7; Acts 1992, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 92-714, p. 211, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-8 - Limitation on Liability for Education and Support; When Action for Purposes of Support May Be Brought; Rights of Inheritance and Succession.

Section 26-17-8
Limitation on liability for education and support; when action for purposes of support may be brought; rights of inheritance and succession.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §8.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-9 - Nature of Actions; Rules of Procedure; Who May Testify; Other Evidence; Joinder; Pleadings; Enforcement of Support Under Criminal Code.

Section 26-17-9
Nature of actions; rules of procedure; who may testify; other evidence; joinder; pleadings; enforcement of support under criminal code.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §9.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-10 - Jurisdiction; Venue; Where Complaint Filed; Process; Conduct of Hearing; Jury.

Section 26-17-10
Jurisdiction; venue; where complaint filed; process; conduct of hearing; jury.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §10; Acts 1994, No. 94-705, p. 1362, §1; Acts 1997, No. 97-245, p. 398, §2; Acts 1997, No. 97-447, p. 772, §11.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-11 - Parties; Representation of Minor Child; Aligning Parties.

Section 26-17-11
Parties; representation of minor child; aligning parties.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §11.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-12 - Genetic Tests; Selection and Compensation of Experts; Admissibility.

Section 26-17-12
Genetic tests; selection and compensation of experts; admissibility.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §12; Acts 1994, No. 94-705, p. 1362, §1; Acts 1997, No. 97-447, p. 772, §11.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-13 - Evidence Relating to Paternity; Refusal to Testify; Immunity; Evidence of Intercourse With Other Men; Medical and Health Care Bills.

Section 26-17-13
Evidence relating to paternity; refusal to testify; immunity; evidence of intercourse with other men; medical and health care bills.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §13; Acts 1994, No. 94-705, p. 1362, §1; Acts 1997, No. 97-447, p. 772, §11.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-14 - Orders - Determinative for All Purposes; Provision for Support; Statement of Jurisdiction in Case of Out-of-State Service; New Birth Certificate; Other Provisions; How Support to Be Paid; Amount of Support; Proof Required for Support Order.

Section 26-17-14
Orders - Determinative for all purposes; provision for support; statement of jurisdiction in case of out-of-state service; new birth certificate; other provisions; how support to be paid; amount of support; proof required for support order.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §14.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-15 - Orders - Enforcement.

Section 26-17-15
Orders - Enforcement.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §15; Acts 1994, No. 94-705, p. 1362, §1.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-16 - Promise to Render Support; Stipulations Barring Paternity Action.

Section 26-17-16
Promise to render support; stipulations barring paternity action.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §16.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-17 - Right to Counsel; Representation of Minors; Fees, Expenses, and Costs.

Section 26-17-17
Right to counsel; representation of minors; fees, expenses, and costs.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §17.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-18 - Action to Declare Mother and Child Relationship.

Section 26-17-18
Action to declare mother and child relationship.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §18.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-19 - Issuance and Contents of New Birth Certificate; Confidentiality of Evidence and Original Birth Certificate.

Section 26-17-19
Issuance and contents of new birth certificate; confidentiality of evidence and original birth certificate.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §19.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-20 - Appeals.

Section 26-17-20
Appeals.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §20; Acts 1997, No. 97-447, p. 772, §11.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-21 - Artificial Insemination.

Section 26-17-21
Artificial insemination.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1984, No. 84-244, p. 375, §21.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Section 26-17-22 - Hospital Paternity Acknowledgement Program.

Section 26-17-22
Hospital paternity acknowledgement program.
Repealed by Act 2008-376, p. 666, §1, effective January 1, 2009.
(Acts 1994, No. 94-705, p. 1362, §2; Acts 1997, No. 97-447, p. 772, §11.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 26-17-101 - Short Title.

Section 26-17-101
Short title.
This chapter may be cited as the Alabama Uniform Parentage Act (2008).
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 26-17-103 - Scope of Chapter; Choice of Law.

Section 26-17-103
Scope of chapter; choice of law.
(a) This chapter applies to determination of parentage in this state except for matters relating to legitimation and adoption. Nothing in this chapter supersedes or modifies Alabama law regarding the requirements contained in Section 26-10C-1.
(b) The court shall apply the law of this state to adjudicate the parent-child relationship. The applicable law does not depend on:
(1) the place of birth of the child; or
(2) the past or present residence of the child.
(c) This chapter does not create, enlarge, or diminish parental rights or duties under other law of this state.
(d) This chapter does not authorize or prohibit an agreement between a woman and intended parents in which the woman relinquishes all rights as a parent of a child conceived by means of assisted reproduction, and which provides that the intended parents become the parents of the child. If a birth results under such an agreement and the agreement is unenforceable under Alabama law, the parent-child relationship is determined as provided in Article 2.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 26-17-104 - Court of This State.

Section 26-17-104
Court of this state.
A circuit or district court of this state or any other court of this state, as provided by law, shall have original jurisdiction to adjudicate parentage pursuant to this chapter and may determine issues of custody, support, and visitation incidental to a determination of parentage. If an issue of non-parentage is raised in a domestic relations action in this state, a court of this state having jurisdiction over the domestic relations action shall have the authority to adjudicate parentage or non-parentage pursuant to this chapter.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 26-17-105 - Protection of Participants.

Section 26-17-105
Protection of participants.
Proceedings under this chapter are subject to other law of this state governing the health, safety, privacy, and liberty of a child or other individual who could be jeopardized by disclosure of identifying information, including address, telephone number, place of employment, Social Security number, and the child's day-care facility and school.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 1 - General Provisions. › Section 26-17-106 - Determination of Maternity.

Section 26-17-106
Determination of maternity.
Provisions of this chapter relating to determinations of paternity apply to determinations of maternity.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 2 - Parent-Child Relationship. › Section 26-17-201 - Establishment of Parent-Child Relationship.

Section 26-17-201
Establishment of parent-child relationship.
(a) The mother-child relationship may be established between a woman and a child by:
(1) the woman's having given birth to the child;
(2) an adjudication of the woman's maternity; or
(3) adoption of the child by the woman.
(b) The father-child relationship may be established between a man and a child by:
(1) an unrebutted presumption of the man's paternity of the child under Section 26-17-204;
(2) an effective acknowledgment of paternity by the man under Article 3, unless the acknowledgment has been rescinded or successfully challenged;
(3) an adjudication of the man's paternity;
(4) adoption of the child by the man; or
(5) the man's having consented to assisted reproduction by a woman under Article 7 which resulted in the birth of the child.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 2 - Parent-Child Relationship. › Section 26-17-202 - No Discrimination Based on Marital Status.

Section 26-17-202
No discrimination based on marital status.
A child born to parents who are not married to each other has the same rights under the law as a child born to parents who are married to each other.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 2 - Parent-Child Relationship. › Section 26-17-203 - Consequences of Establishment of Parentage.

Section 26-17-203
Consequences of establishment of parentage.
Unless parental rights are terminated, a parent-child relationship established under this chapter applies for all purposes, except as otherwise specifically provided by other law of this state.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 2 - Parent-Child Relationship. › Section 26-17-204 - Presumption of Paternity.

Section 26-17-204
Presumption of paternity.
(a) A man is presumed to be the father of a child if:
(1) he and the mother of the child are married to each other and the child is born during the marriage;
(2) he and the mother of the child were married to each other and the child is born within 300 days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce;
(3) before the birth of the child, he and the mother of the child married each other in apparent compliance with law, even if the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and the child is born during the invalid marriage or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce;
(4) after the child's birth, he and the child's mother have married, or attempted to marry, each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with the law although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and:
(A) he has acknowledged his paternity of the child in writing, such writing being filed with the appropriate court or the Alabama Office of Vital Statistics; or
(B) with his consent, he is named as the child's father on the child's birth certificate; or
(C) he is otherwise obligated to support the child either under a written voluntary promise or by court order;
(5) while the child is under the age of majority, he receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his natural child or otherwise openly holds out the child as his natural child and establishes a significant parental relationship with the child by providing emotional and financial support for the child; or
(6) he legitimated the child in accordance with Chapter 11 of Title 26.
(b) A presumption of paternity established under this section may be rebutted only by an adjudication under Article 6. In the event two or more conflicting presumptions arise, that which is founded upon the weightier considerations of public policy and logic, as evidenced by the facts, shall control. The presumption of paternity is rebutted by a court decree establishing paternity of the child by another man.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 3 - Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. › Section 26-17-301 - Acknowledgment of Paternity.

Section 26-17-301
Acknowledgment of paternity.
The mother of a child and a man claiming to be the genetic father of the child may sign an acknowledgment of paternity with intent to establish the man's paternity.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 3 - Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. › Section 26-17-302 - Execution of Acknowledgment of Paternity.

Section 26-17-302
Execution of acknowledgment of paternity.
(a) An acknowledgment of paternity must:
(1) be in a record filed with the Alabama Office of Vital Statistics;
(2) be signed, and notarized, under penalty of perjury by the mother and by the man seeking to establish his paternity;
(3) state that the child whose paternity is being acknowledged:
(A) does not have a presumed father or the man executing the acknowledgment is the presumed father; and
(B) does not have another acknowledged or adjudicated father;
(4) state whether there has been genetic testing and, if so, that the acknowledging man's claim of paternity is consistent with the results of the testing; and
(5) state that the signatories understand that the acknowledgment shall be considered a legal finding of paternity of the child and that a challenge to the acknowledgment is permitted only as provided in this chapter.
(b) A presumed father may sign an acknowledgment of paternity which must be notarized.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 3 - Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. › Section 26-17-304 - Rules for Acknowledgment of Paternity.

Section 26-17-304
Rules for acknowledgment of paternity.
(a) An acknowledgment of paternity may be signed at the birth of the child or any time prior to the child's nineteenth birthday. Before a mother and a putative father sign an acknowledgment of paternity, the mother and putative father shall be given notice, orally or through the use of video or audio equipment and in writing, of the alternatives to, the legal consequences of, and, if one parent is a minor, any rights afforded due to minority status, and the responsibilities that arise from signing of the acknowledgment.
(b) An acknowledgment of paternity takes effect upon the signature of both the mother and putative father and the filing of the document with the Alabama Office of Vital Statistics.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 3 - Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. › Section 26-17-305 - Effect of Acknowledgment of Paternity.

Section 26-17-305
Effect of acknowledgment of paternity.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Sections 26-17-307 and 26-17-308, a valid acknowledgment of paternity filed with the Alabama Office of Vital Statistics shall be considered a legal finding of paternity of a child and confers upon the acknowledged father all of the rights and duties of a parent.
(b) An acknowledgment of paternity shall be a legally sufficient basis for establishing an obligation for child support and for the expenses of the mother's pregnancy and confinement.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 3 - Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. › Section 26-17-306 - No Filing Fee.

Section 26-17-306
No filing fee.
The Alabama Office of Vital Statistics shall not charge for filing an acknowledgment of paternity.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 3 - Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. › Section 26-17-307 - Proceeding for Rescission.

Section 26-17-307
Proceeding for rescission.
A signatory may rescind an acknowledgment of paternity only in a judicial proceeding before the earlier of:
(1) sixty days after the effective date of the acknowledgment, as provided in Section 26-17-304; or
(2) the date of the first hearing, in a proceeding to which the signatory is a party, before a court to adjudicate an issue relating to the child, including a proceeding that establishes support.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 3 - Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. › Section 26-17-308 - Challenge After Expiration of Period for Rescission.

Section 26-17-308
Challenge after expiration of period for rescission.
(a) After the period for rescission under Section 26-17-307 has expired, a signatory of an acknowledgment of paternity may commence a proceeding to challenge the acknowledgment only:
(1) on the basis of fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact; or
(2) in the same manner as provided in Section 26-17A-1.
(b) A party challenging an acknowledgment of paternity has the burden of proof.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 3 - Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. › Section 26-17-309 - Procedure for Rescission or Challenge.

Section 26-17-309
Procedure for rescission or challenge.
(a) Every signatory to an acknowledgment of paternity must be made a party to a proceeding to rescind or challenge the acknowledgment.
(b) For the purpose of rescission of, or challenge to, an acknowledgment of paternity, a signatory submits to personal jurisdiction of this state by signing the acknowledgment, effective upon the filing of the document with the Alabama Office of Vital Statistics.
(c) Except for good cause shown, during the pendency of a proceeding to rescind or challenge an acknowledgment of paternity, the court may not suspend the legal responsibilities of a signatory arising from the acknowledgment, including the duty to pay child support.
(d) A judicial proceeding to rescind or challenge an acknowledgment of paternity must be conducted in the same manner as a proceeding to adjudicate parentage under Article 6.
(e) At the conclusion of a proceeding to rescind or challenge an acknowledgment of paternity, the court shall order the Alabama Office of Vital Statistics to amend the birth record of the child, if appropriate.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 3 - Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. › Section 26-17-310 - Ratification Barred.

Section 26-17-310
Ratification barred.
A court or administrative agency conducting a judicial or administrative proceeding is not required or permitted to ratify an unchallenged acknowledgment of paternity filed under this chapter.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 3 - Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. › Section 26-17-311 - Full Faith and Credit

Section 26-17-311
Full faith and credit
A court of this state shall give full faith and credit to an acknowledgment of paternity or denial of paternity effective in another state if the acknowledgment or denial has been signed and is otherwise in compliance with the law of the other state.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 3 - Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. › Section 26-17-312 - Forms for Acknowledgment.

Section 26-17-312
Forms for acknowledgment.
(a) To facilitate compliance with this article, the Alabama Department of Human Resources shall prescribe forms for the acknowledgment of paternity. The affidavit shall include the Social Security number and current address of each parent, a listing of the rights and responsibilities of acknowledging paternity, including the duty to financially support the child, and instruction for filing the affidavit with the Office of Vital Statistics.
(b) A valid acknowledgment of paternity is not affected by a later modification of the prescribed form.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 3 - Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. › Section 26-17-313 - Release of Information.

Section 26-17-313
Release of information.
The affidavit of paternity shall be considered a confidential record and access shall be available in the same manner as birth records. The affidavit of paternity shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 22-9A-12(c) and shall be released by the Office of Vital Statistics to the Department of Human Resources upon request by the department and payment of any fee required by the Office of Vital Statistics for the purpose of child support enforcement or any other lawful purpose without the necessity of a court order.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 3 - Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity. › Section 26-17-315 - Hospital Paternity Acknowledgment Program.

Section 26-17-315
Hospital paternity acknowledgment program.
(a) Hospitals that have a licensed obstetric care unit or are licensed to provide obstetric services or licensed birthing centers associated with a hospital shall provide to the mother and alleged father, if he is present in the hospital, during the period immediately preceding or following the birth of a child to an unmarried woman in the hospital, all of the following:
(1) written materials about paternity establishment;
(2) form affidavits of paternity;
(3) a written description of the rights and responsibilities of acknowledging paternity; and
(4) an opportunity, prior to discharge from the hospital, to speak with a trained person made available through the Department of Human Resources, either by telephone or in person, who can clarify information and answer questions about paternity establishment. The Department of Human Resources shall make materials available without cost to the hospitals. If the mother and father complete the affidavit in the hospital, the hospital shall send the affidavit of paternity to the Office of Vital Statistics within five days of the birth of the child. Hospitals may be reimbursed by the Department of Human Resources up to the amount allowable by federal regulations for each completed affidavit. A hospital shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for actions taken pursuant to the requirements of this section.
(b) The Office of Vital Statistics shall offer the mother and the alleged father paternity acknowledgment services as specified in this section.
(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an affidavit of paternity completed in accordance with this section shall be accepted by the Office of Vital Statistics for purposes of listing the father's name on the child's birth certificate.
(d) If a birth certificate has been filed in the Office of Vital Statistics, listing a father of the child, no new birth certificate can be established by the Office of Vital Statistics based on an affidavit of paternity received subsequently by that office unless a determination of paternity has been made by a court of competent jurisdiction or following adoption.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 4 - Registry of Paternity. › Part 1 - General Provisions. › Section 26-17-401 - Establishment of Registry.

Section 26-17-401
Establishment of registry.
The law relating to a Putative Father's Registry is governed by Section 26-10C-1.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 5 - Genetic Testing. › Section 26-17-501 - Scope of Article.

Section 26-17-501
Scope of article.
This article governs genetic testing of an individual to determine parentage, whether the individual:
(1) voluntarily submits to testing; or
(2) is tested pursuant to an order of the court or the Alabama Department of Human Resources.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)
2023 Code of Alabama › Title 26 - Infants and Incompetents. › Chapter 17 - Alabama Uniform Parentage Act. › Article 5 - Genetic Testing. › Section 26-17-502 - Order for Testing.

Section 26-17-502
Order for testing.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this article and Article 6, the court shall order the child and other designated individuals to submit to genetic testing if the request for testing is made by a party to the proceeding, the Alabama Department of Human Resources, or the representative of the child.
(b) The Alabama Department of Human Resources may order genetic testing only in accordance with Section 30-3-197(a)(1).
(c) If a request for genetic testing of a child is made before birth, the court or the Alabama Department of Human Resources may not order in-utero testing.
(d) If two or more men are subject to court-ordered genetic testing, the testing may be ordered concurrently or sequentially.
(Act 2008-376, p. 666, §2.)