HB144 Alabama 2017 Session

Under existing law, with the approval of the Director of the Administrative Office of Courts, district court judges may appoint court referees to handle certain juvenile and child support cases under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court or the district court, including certain child support enforcement cases initiated by the Department of Human Resources pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act in which the Child Support Division of the department is providing some sort of assistance in establishing paternity, obtaining support, or securing compliance with a support order. Existing law does not expressly authorize the appointment of court referees to hear child support enforcement cases that are domestic relations cases under the jurisdiction of the circuit court

This bill would authorize the appointment of court referees to hear certain child support enforcement cases over which the domestic relations division of the circuit court has jurisdiction

This bill would authorize the court referee to hear child support enforcement cases, including cases initiated after the entry of a final judgment in a divorce case in which the Department of Human Resources is providing assistance pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act

Relating to court referees; to amend Section 12-17-330 of the Code of Alabama 1975, to authorize the appointment of court referees to hear child support enforcement cases that are domestic relations cases under the jurisdiction of the circuit court; to establish a procedure by which the child support case would be heard; to specify the duties of the court referee; and to provide for review of the findings in each case by a circuit court judge.