Dual Enrollment Act; residency requirement for eligible students; provide

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joseph Gullett and 4 co-sponsors

HB 18, the Good Dad Act, promotes father involvement by establishing legal presumptions for joint custody and shared parenting in paternity cases, ensuring children's best interests.

House Second Readers

Summary of HB 18: The Good Dad Act

Bill Information:
- Bill Number: HB 18
- Title: Acknowledgement of paternity; certain rebuttable presumptions relating to the best interest of a child, created
- Status: Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary
- Introduced: June 25, 2025
- Effective Date: October 1, 2026
- Classification: Bill
- Subject: Family Law

Purpose and Intent

HB 18, also known as The Good Dad Act, aims to strengthen the legal recognition of fathers who voluntarily acknowledge paternity in Alabama. The bill seeks to establish rebuttable presumptions in child custody, visitation, and support proceedings that favor joint custody and shared parenting time, thereby promoting the involvement of both parents in a child's life.

Key Provisions

Acknowledgment of Paternity:

A valid acknowledgment of paternity, executed by an alleged father with the mother's consent, is recognized as a legal finding of paternity.
This acknowledgment confers all parental rights and responsibilities to the acknowledged father.

Rebuttable Presumptions:

In custody and visitation proceedings, a valid acknowledgment of paternity creates rebuttable presumptions that:
- Joint custody is in the best interest of the child.
- If a parent lives within 40 miles of the child, both parents have equal rights and responsibilities for major decisions concerning the child and are entitled to equally shared physical custody.
- Neither parent may remove the child from the state without the consent of the other parent or a court order.

Exceptions for Domestic Violence:

The bill includes provisions that allow for exceptions in cases involving domestic or family violence, ensuring the safety of the child and the custodial parent.

Impact

Who is Affected:

The bill primarily impacts unmarried fathers who acknowledge paternity, mothers, and children involved in custody and visitation disputes.
It aims to enhance the legal framework supporting shared parenting and joint custody arrangements.

Legal and Procedural Changes:

The bill amends Section 26-17-305 of the Code of Alabama 1975, establishing new legal standards for custody and visitation proceedings based on paternity acknowledgment.
The presumptions created by this bill can be rebutted by a preponderance of evidence, allowing for judicial discretion based on individual circumstances.

Timeline of Legislative Actions

June 25, 2025: Bill filed.

January 13, 2026: Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.

October 1, 2026: Effective date of the act, pending successful passage through the legislative process.

In summary, HB 18 seeks to promote the involvement of fathers in their children's lives by establishing legal presumptions that favor joint custody and shared parenting, while also considering the safety of all parties involved.