A New Day for Parental Rights in Alabama
In a powerful step toward justice and accountability, Alabama State Representative Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham) has filed a bill that would require the Department of Human Resources (DHR) to inform parents and guardians of their due process rights during investigations. The bill, titled the “DHR Transparency and Due Process Rights Notification Act,” seeks to protect families by ensuring they are fully aware of their legal rights when DHR opens a case against them.
Why This Matters
Too many families in Alabama—and across the country—are blindsided by DHR investigations. Many don’t know what they’re entitled to legally, which makes it easier for the system to overstep. Rep. Paschal, a longtime advocate for families and constitutional rights, made it clear: “Protecting children should never come at the cost of violating the rights of innocent parents.”
He emphasized that in situations like divorces or heated custody battles, false allegations can be used as weapons—and families deserve a fair process.
What the Bill Would Require DHR to Do
If passed, this legislation would require Alabama DHR to immediately provide written notice of the following rights to any parent, guardian, or custodian under investigation:
✅ The right to review records related to the investigation
✅ The right to record interviews or interactions with DHR
✅ The right to have legal counsel present
✅ The right to deny entry to your home, interviews, drug testing, or medical exams—unless DHR has a court order
✅ A warning that anything said may be used in civil or criminal court
Let’s be clear: these are rights families already have—this bill simply ensures that DHR notifies parents clearly, up front.
Beyond Notification: Training & Family Preservation
The bill goes further than just paperwork. It also calls for:
- Mandatory training for DHR investigators in proper investigatory techniques
- Emphasis on preserving the family unit wherever possible
- Stronger prioritization for placing children with relatives instead of strangers
- Ensuring parents maintain visitation rights during investigations
The Bottom Line
This bill does not create new rights—it protects the ones parents already have. It aims to level the playing field between Alabama families and a powerful state agency that too often operates behind closed doors.
Rep. Paschal’s efforts align with what many of us have been demanding for years: transparency, accountability, and fairness.
🛑 Let’s Keep the Pressure On
Bills like this don’t pass without public support. Stay informed. Share this post. Contact your local representatives and demand they stand with families, not bureaucracy.
➡️ Have you been through a DHR investigation without being told your rights? Share your story with us at [contact@familiesvsdhr.org] or on our Facebook page.