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AL HB19
Bill
Status
Introduced
1/13/2026
Primary Sponsor
Patrick Sellers
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AI Summary
- Creates a rebuttable presumption that joint legal custody and substantial parenting time with both parents are in the best interest of the child in custody cases
- Requires courts to make specific written findings if they decline to award joint legal custody or substantial parenting time, explaining why the presumption was overcome
- Excludes cases involving domestic or family violence from the joint custody presumption (per Section 30-3-131)
- Mandates that final court orders address specific matters including parenting time schedules, holiday division, telephone communication, access to medical and educational records, and child support
- Eliminates the existing requirement for parents to submit an agreed-upon parenting plan covering custody-related matters; effective date October 1, 2026
Legislative Description
Child custody; rebuttable presumption of joint physical custody and substantial parenting time created, final order of the court further provided for
Family Law
Last Action
Re-referred to Committee in House of Origin to House Children and Senior Advocacy
1/15/2026
Committee Referrals
Judiciary1/13/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available