AL HB376

Amends Section 12-15-114 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to grant juvenile courts exclusive original jurisdiction over termination of parental rights proceedings.

Establishes that dependency actions in juvenile court shall not include custody disputes between parents.

Applies retroactively to January 1, 2009, to ratify and confirm juvenile court jurisdiction over termination of parental rights cases filed from that date forward.

Declares that any juvenile court orders issued while exercising this jurisdiction between January 1, 2009 and the bill's effective date shall be deemed valid absent an appeal adjudication to the contrary.

Becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.