HB43 Summary

• Amends Section 12-17-330 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to authorize appointment of court referees to hear child support cases brought under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act in circuit court domestic relations divisions.

• Administrative Director of Courts may authorize one or more referee positions (full-time or part-time) upon written request from presiding circuit court judge, considering funding and child support caseload; appointed attorneys must be licensed to practice law in Alabama.

• Referees may hear child support cases unless: the referee agreed to hear specific cases under contract, the hearing determines criminal prosecution transfer, parental rights termination is involved, or a party objects.

• Referees' duties include taking testimony, evaluating evidence, making paternity findings, accepting voluntary acknowledgments, preparing default orders, ordering genetic tests, and entering administrative docket orders without judge signature.

• Referee findings and recommendations become circuit court orders when signed by the presiding judge; parties may request rehearing within 14 days, with de novo review if the record is inadequate; urgent matters require judge review within 72 hours.