HB493 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Corley EllisRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Child advocacy centers; certification by Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers further provided for

Summary

The bill updates how Alabama child advocacy centers become full members and changes funding rules for centers, starting October 1, 2025.

What This Bill Does

It allows a child advocacy center to become a full member only if it meets existing statutory standards plus any additional standards approved by the network's Board of Directors to ensure alignment with national best practices. It creates and clarifies associate member status and gives the Board authority to adopt extra standards. It sets base funding amounts for full and associate centers and describes how remaining funds are allocated proportionally based on service data, with protections if funds are limited or centers fail to meet standards.

Who It Affects

• Child advocacy centers in Alabama, which must meet board-approved standards to become full members and are eligible for state funding under the new base and proportional allocation rules.
• The Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers and its Board of Directors, which gain authority to set additional standards for certification and to determine how funds are distributed to centers.

Key Provisions

• Certification standard updates: a center may be certified as a full member only if it meets Section 26-16-70 standards and any additional standards approved by the Board to ensure compliance with national best practices.
• Definitions and governance: clarifies terms such as Associate Member Center, Full Member Center, Network, Board of Directors, and Pilot Project.
• Funding for full members: base allocations of $50,000 in the first year after certification, $75,000 in the second year, and $100,000 in the third and subsequent years, subject to adequate funds being appropriated.
• Funding for associates: base allocations of $25,000 during the first two fiscal years after approval for associate status; continued payment as an associate may be authorized if not certified as full member at the end of year two.
• Proportional funding: any remaining appropriated funds are allocated proportionally to centers based on the number of forensic interviews/evaluations and children served, using statewide data from the network's annual services report.
• Funding adjustments when funds are limited: if total state funds are less than total allocations, distributions are pro rata to all centers.
• Recertification and funding eligibility: full member centers that fail to meet standards for a year or more (or cease to exist) lose base funding eligibility until recertified.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on 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

Children