HB319 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Terri CollinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Imagination Library of Alabama Program, Department of Early Childhood Education to administer through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Summary

The bill creates the Imagination Library of Alabama Program to give free monthly books to young children through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, run by the Department of Early Childhood Education in partnership with a nonprofit.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a statewide program funded through a new Imagination Library of Alabama Fund, with the state providing a 50% matching share and local programs providing the other 50% to support sending one free age-appropriate book each month to registered children from birth to five in participating counties. It requires the Department to coordinate with a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit to operate the program and to oversee local partners. It authorizes funding for administration and program costs, requires annual reporting on program reach and activity, and allows the department to adopt rules as needed. The program becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Registered children birth to five in participating counties will receive one free age-appropriate book per month.
• Families of these children will benefit from receiving books at no cost.
• Local Dolly Parton's Imagination Library affiliates/programs will participate and must provide a 50% local match.
• A nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) coordinated by the Department will operate the state program and oversee local affiliates.
• The Department of Early Childhood Education will administer and oversee the program, including funding, rules, and reporting.
• Donors and public sponsors may contribute funds and support through campaigns organized by the nonprofit entity and the department.
• The State Treasury, via the Imagination Library of Alabama Fund, will hold and disburse funds for the program.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Imagination Library of Alabama Program to provide one free monthly book to each registered child from birth to age five in participating counties, through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
• Requires the Department of Early Childhood Education to coordinate with a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit to operate the state program and to oversee local affiliates.
• Establishes the Imagination Library of Alabama Fund in the State Treasury to receive gifts, grants, donations, and other funds, and to be used for program administration and matching requirements.
• Imposes a cost-sharing structure where the state funds provide 50% of the local match and local program partners provide the remaining 50%.
• Allows unobligated funds to roll over each fiscal year and prohibits lapse into the General Fund, subject to appropriation, with funds used for eligible program purposes and administration.
• Requires the nonprofit entity to promote statewide program development, enrollment, community engagement, public awareness, and donor recruitment; administer the local match and collect/book mailing costs; develop marketing plans; and seek grants and donations.
• Mandates annual public reporting on the number and location of local programs, enrollment, books provided, and local partners.
• Gives the Department authority to adopt rules as needed for administering the program.
• Effective date: October 1, 2025.

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

Subjects

Education