HB401 Summary

• Amends Sections 12-15-102 and 13A-13-6 of the Alabama Code to correct internal citations defining "dependent child" and "delinquent child" in juvenile proceedings.

• Removes the requirement that a child must be adjudicated as delinquent or dependent in a civil proceeding before a parent or guardian can be criminally convicted of endangering the welfare of a child.

• Establishes that for purposes of the crime of endangering child welfare, dependent and delinquent children are defined using the same criteria that juvenile courts apply in civil proceedings.

• Allows criminal conviction for failing to exercise reasonable diligence in controlling a child to prevent delinquency or dependency without prior juvenile court adjudication.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.