SB270 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Priscilla Dunn

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Arthur Orr

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Children, subsidized adoption, subsidy payments provided for, termination of payments, annual reporting and hearing procedures, definitions, Secs. 26-10-22, 26-10-24, 26-10-25, 26-10-26, 26-10-29 am'd.

Summary

SB270 would broaden and clarify Alabama's adoption subsidy program by allowing subsidies in non-custody cases, defining special needs, and adding rules for payments, eligibility, hearings, and annual reporting.

What This Bill Does

It would authorize adoption subsidies in cases not involving permanent custody (such as parental relinquishment or agency placement) and align them with federal law. It would define terms for special needs and related concepts, and specify that subsidies are paid to the parent with physical custody unless a court order or signed agreement says otherwise; it would also restrict payments if the child is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. It would allow subsidies for children aged 18 to 21 under certain conditions, and provide for continued payments if the family moves to another state and the child's needs stay the same. It would establish a hearing process within 30 days of denial, reduction, or termination, require annual reporting, and set grounds for terminating subsidy.

Who It Affects

• Adoptive families and foster parents adopting, who could receive subsidy payments under the expanded rules, including cross-state moves and age 18-21 provisions.
• The Department of Human Resources and licensed child-placing agencies, which administer the subsidies, oversee eligibility, payments, reporting, and hearing procedures.

Key Provisions

• Expands subsidy eligibility beyond permanent custody to include cases like relinquishment or agency placement, in line with federal law.
• Defines specific terms for 'special needs' (e.g., developmental disability, emotional disturbance, physical disability, mental disability, high risk of disease, racial or ethnic factors, etc.).
• Specifies payment rules: subsidies payable to the custodial parent unless otherwise ordered; no payments to non-citizens or non-permanent residents; may cover money payments and/or services; may extend to age 21 under certain conditions; continued when moving to another state if still eligible.
• Requires annual sworn certification of ongoing need and allows modification or termination of the subsidy as conditions change; agency may request or approve termination or revisions.
• Adds hearing rights: a denial, reduction, or termination of subsidies or services can be appealed with a hearing request within 30 days.
• Establishes grounds for termination of subsidy (e.g., child turns 18, adoption terminated, emancipation, death, etc.) and implements annual reporting requirements to monitor subsidies.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Children