AL SB167

Requires redaction of plaintiffs' home and business addresses, phone numbers, and family/household contact information from court documents made available to the public in elder abuse cases.

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

Clarifies that elderly persons with physical or mental capacity may hire legal representation or represent themselves in elder abuse petitions, in addition to allowing guardians, conservators, and other authorized representatives to file petitions.

Requires circuit courts to make standardized elder abuse petition forms available but exempts court clerks from providing assistance in completing forms or presenting cases.

Prohibits courts from assessing filing fees, service costs, or witness subpoena fees against petitioners or plaintiffs, though courts may assess costs against defendants at their discretion.