The Alabama Legislature

This act amends Sections 26-10-28, 26-10C-1, and 30-3-4.2, Code of Alabama 1975, and substantially amends Chapters 10E and 10F of Title 26, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) specify when a pre-placement investigation must occur and further provide for the contents, scope, and distribution of investigative reports related to minor adoptions; (2) further provide for procedures to withdraw written consent or relinquishment for adoption of a minor and the effect of the withdrawal on the adoption proceedings; (3) revise certain record requirements for an adoptee who is in permanent custody of the State Department of Human Resources (DHR); (4) revise procedures related to service of notice for a minor adoption and an adult adoption; (5) further provide for the effect of an unknown father on minor adoption proceedings; (6) authorize adoptive parents or an adoptee who has reached the age of majority to petition the court to obtain a copy of the final judgment of adoption or the interlocutory order of adoption; (7) expand the circumstances in which an adult may be adopted to allow an adoption if the court is satisfied that there exists a multi-year relationship akin to that between a parent and child and the adoption is for a legitimate purpose; and (8) further provide for the roles of the State DHR and each county DHR relating to adoption. This act also adds Section 26-10E-19.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for investigative reports relating to the adoption of a minor adoptee who is in the permanent custody of the State DHR.