HB21 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Dependent children, Human Resources Dept required to make efforts to place infant of a dependent minor mother with the minor mother in foster care, Sec. 12-15-314 am'd.

Summary

HB21 would require the Department of Human Resources to make every effort to place an infant of a dependent minor mother with that mother in foster care.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a new duty to the existing child welfare law, requiring the Department of Human Resources to actively try to keep an infant born to a dependent minor mother with the mother in foster care. This does not remove other placement options like placing the child with the department, a licensed agency, or a relative; it simply adds an explicit goal to place the infant with the mother when possible. The rest of the current placement rules and safeguards for dependent children remain in effect, including prior placement preferences and custody arrangements.

Who It Affects

• Dependent minor mothers and their infants, who would be placed in foster care together with the mother when feasible.
• The Department of Human Resources and the juvenile court system, which must implement the new duty and integrate it with existing placement decisions and oversight.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 12-15-314 to add subsection (h): The Department of Human Resources shall make every effort to place an infant of a dependent minor mother together with the minor mother in foster care.
• Effective date: The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Children