SB324 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Phillip W. Williams
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Juvenile court, cost-sharing between counties and municipalities for certain children under the jurisdiction of, Sec. 12-15-108 am'd.
Summary: SB324 changes who pays for housing, maintenance, medical care, and transportation for juveniles in the juvenile court, tying cost-sharing to county population and assigning transport costs to the initial custody agency.
What This Bill Does
If the child resides in a municipality with at least 15% of the county's population, the municipality pays half of the housing, maintenance, and medical expenses, with the county paying the other half. If the child's residence is outside that municipality or within a smaller municipality (less than 15% of the county population), the county pays all housing, maintenance, and medical expenses. The local law enforcement agency that initially holds or detains the child is responsible for all transportation costs during the juvenile court period, unless a written transportation agreement between the county and municipality is in place. Existing local funding laws can continue, and counties and municipalities can negotiate alternative sharing formulas or direct payment arrangements; municipalities may receive credits for revenues generated under local laws related to these expenses. The act also requires invoicing and timely reimbursement for the county's and municipality's shares, and takes effect for costs incurred after October 1, 2017.

Who It Affects
Counties and municipalities: share or assign costs for housing, maintenance, and medical expenses for juveniles under the juvenile court, based on population thresholds and potential billing/credit arrangements.
Local law enforcement agencies: bear the transportation costs for juveniles in custody throughout the juvenile court period, unless a transportation agreement changes this.

Key Provisions
Costs for housing, maintenance, and medical care are shared 50/50 between the county and the municipality that initially holds/detains the child, provided the municipality has at least 15% of the county's population.
If the child resides outside that municipality or in a municipality with less than 15% of the county's population, the county pays all such expenses.
The county invoices the municipality for its half, and the municipality must reimburse within 30 days of receiving the invoice.
Municipalities responsible for half of these expenses may receive a credit against that responsibility for revenues generated from local laws funding these costs.
Local laws or agreements can modify how costs are shared, including direct payments or other mutually agreed arrangements.
Transportation costs are the responsibility of the initial custody law enforcement agency throughout the juvenile court period, unless a written agreement between county and municipality provides an alternative arrangement.
The act preserves existing local funding laws and does not override them where they are already in effect; it becomes effective October 1, 2017 and applies to expenses incurred on or after that date.

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