SB226 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Donnie ChesteenSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Foster homes, defines additional types of foster family homes, Sec. 38-7-2 am'd.
Summary: SB226 expands and clarifies the types of foster family homes by amending Section 38-7-2 to add new categories and definitions.
What This Bill Does
It expands the law to define additional kinds of foster family homes. The act adds categories such as boarding homes, traditional foster family homes, related foster family homes, free homes, therapeutic foster family homes, group day care homes, group homes, maternity centers, and night care facilities (including nighttime centers, nighttime homes, and group nighttime homes). It specifies child limits and required supervision for certain home types, shaping how these homes operate and are regulated. The changes affect how foster homes are classified and overseen by the Department of Human Resources.

Who It Affects
Foster families and caregivers who operate foster family homes will be affected, as the types and limits of homes they run are newly defined or expanded.
Children in foster care and the Department of Human Resources (DHR), which will classify, regulate, and oversee these homes under the updated definitions.

Key Provisions
Defines foster family home and expands its subtypes to include boarding home, traditional foster family home, related foster family home, free home, and therapeutic foster family home.
Adds night-related foster home types, including group nighttime home, nighttime center, and nighttime home, with specified child limits and required supervision.
Includes other facility types connected to foster care, such as group day care homes, group homes, and maternity centers, under the foster care framework.
Sets capacity and supervision rules for certain home types (e.g., six children in boarding homes unless common parentage; seven to twelve children in group day care homes or group nighttime homes with at least two adults).
Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Foster Family Homes