SB356 Summary

• Amends Section 38-9F-6 of the Alabama Code to require redaction of sensitive information from elder abuse court documents made available to the public, including plaintiff's home and business addresses and all phone numbers.

• Extends redaction requirements to addresses and phone numbers of plaintiff's family members and household members, as well as addresses revealing confidential domestic violence shelter locations.

• Allows disclosure of redacted addresses only orally in private judicial chambers when necessary to determine jurisdiction or venue, with no public present.

• Clarifies that elderly persons possessing physical or mental capacity may hire legal counsel to represent themselves in elder abuse protection proceedings or represent themselves.

• Eliminates court costs and filing fees for petitioners and plaintiffs, with discretion to assess costs and fees against defendants; becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.