HB 231 Summary

• Amends Section 12-15-305 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to limit juvenile court authority in appointing attorneys in dependency proceedings to cases where the state has filed a petition or is a party to the proceeding.

• Changes the appointment of attorneys for petitioners and respondent parents/guardians/custodians from discretionary ("may appoint") to mandatory ("shall appoint") upon request and a finding of indigency, but only when the state is involved.

• Restricts counsel appointment for respondent parents, legal guardians, or legal custodians in dependency cases to only those cases in which the state has filed a petition or is otherwise a party.

• Allows the juvenile court to order recoupment of attorney fees to be paid to the State of Alabama.

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