HB324 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul W. LeeRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Foster homes, defines additional types of foster family homes, Sec. 38-7-2 am'd.

Summary

HB324 expands and formalizes the types of foster family homes in Alabama by adding multiple specific categories and definitions.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 38-7-2 to broaden the definition of foster family homes. It creates detailed categories like boarding homes, traditional and related foster family homes, free homes, therapeutic homes, group homes and group day/night care options, maternity centers, and transitional living facilities. It also sets capacity rules and payment conditions for some types (e.g., boarding homes may receive payment and usually limit to six children, group homes 7-10, group day care up to 12) and defines related kinship relationships. These definitions guide licensing and oversight by the Department of Human Resources.

Who It Affects

• Foster families and foster family homes: new categories and rules about operation, payment status, and capacity.
• Child-care facilities and child-placing agencies: must use the new definitions for licensing, placement, and oversight.
• Children in foster care and their families: clearer options for where they may be placed and how those homes are classified.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 38-7-2 to expand the defined types of foster family homes.
• Defines Boarding Home as a foster family home where payment is received and the number of children does not exceed six unless they are of common parentage.
• Defines Traditional Foster Family Home as a family residence where care is provided full-time for a child or children.
• Defines Related Foster Family Home as a home where the family is related to the child by blood, marriage, or adoption within the fourth degree of kinship.
• Defines Free Home as a foster family home that does not receive payment for caring for a child or children.
• Defines Therapeutic Foster Family Home as a home providing therapeutic family care and training full-time.
• Defines Group Day Care Home as a family home receiving 7-12 children with at least two adults present.
• Defines Group Home as a home receiving 7-10 children for care or training.
• Defines Maternity Center as a facility caring for minor pregnant girls (not a hospital).
• Defines Night Care Facility and subtypes: nighttime center (more than 12 children), nighttime home (up to six children), group nighttime home (7-12 children with at least two adults).
• Defines Related relationships for kinship as used in these definitions.
• Defines Transitional Living Facility as a program for practicing independent living skills for foster youths age up to 21.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Foster Family Homes