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A new bill filed in Alabama could grant single men who acknowledge paternity full legal rights and responsibilities as parents.
State Rep. Patrick Sellers described this as a systemic issue affecting the Birmingham community and the state at large. He believes that, whether married or not, both parents deserve equal rights and responsibilities in raising their children.
Sellers said he has often witnessed single fathers struggling to secure time with their kids.
“What the system has done is create these fatherless generations,†Sellers said. “Over the years, moms have typically been the custodial parent, but more and more fathers want to be involved in their children’s lives.â€
The “Good Dad Act†would apply in cases not involving family or domestic violence and, with the mother’s approval, allow for equal parenting time with both parents.
Under the bill, cases involving child custody, visitation, or child support would require a judge to consider joint custody and shared parenting time.
“You can see it every day. Part of what we see in our community is a lack of parental presence—both parents, especially fathers,†Sellers explained. “Fathers play an important and huge part in the development of children, and so that’s what we want to see most.â€
WAAY 31 spoke with one father on Thursday who believes the pre-filed bill could change lives and the parenting experience, especially for fathers.
Florida Parker, a father, said, “What this creates is especially with young boys and also girls. In the black community, when you don't have a man in that boy's life, that's when you end up with the emotional shooters. Now they have guns; now they like to fight. They get emotional. They go to pull guns. They don't work things out like men. I think this is where a lot of the crime is coming from, in my opinion.â€
This bill aligns with another one of Sellers’ pre-filed bills, which seeks to increase joint custody in Alabama divorce cases. It requires judges to consider joint custody as the best option unless evidence suggests otherwise.
“Fathers shouldn't have to fight for time with their children. So the good dad actually gives certain things in place, making sure that everything is above board, legally within 40 miles of that child.â€
The act would also prevent either parent from taking a child out of state without permission from the other parent or the court.
The bill will be considered in the Alabama legislature’s 2025 regular session.
