AL HB144

Amends Alabama Code Section 12-17-330 to authorize circuit court judges to appoint court referees to hear child support enforcement cases in the domestic relations division, with approval from the Administrative Director of Courts.

Court referees may hear child support enforcement cases including those initiated by the Department of Human Resources under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, even after a final divorce judgment has been entered.

Referees must be licensed to practice law and can take testimony, evaluate evidence, make findings of fact, accept voluntary acknowledgments, order genetic tests, and issue orders related to case administration without requiring a judge's signature.

Parties must be informed before hearing that the referee is not a judge and that they can request a hearing before a judge instead; any party can request a rehearing within 14 days of the referee's written findings.

Referee findings become binding circuit court orders only when ratified by the presiding judge's signature, and urgent matters can be effective for up to 72 hours pending judicial review.