HB50 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Terri CollinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

HB50 would create the Imagination Library of Alabama Program to provide free, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five statewide through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a state program under the Department of Early Childhood Education to deliver one free age-appropriate book each month to every registered child from birth to five in participating counties, mailed to the home at no cost to families. It funds the program with a 50% state match and a 50% local match, following the cost-sharing framework of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The department must coordinate with a qualified nonprofit (a 501(c)(3)) to operate the program and oversee administration, with the Imagination Library of Alabama Fund handling the money and expenses. The act allows donations and other sources of funding, requires annual reporting on program metrics, and becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Children birth to five in participating Alabama counties who are registered, as they would receive a free, mailed monthly book.
• Local Dolly Parton's Imagination Library affiliates, the coordinating nonprofit, the Department of Early Childhood Education, and donors/supporters who fund, run, and promote the program.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Imagination Library of Alabama Fund in the State Treasury to support the program and requires annual appropriation for the fund.
• Provides for one free age-appropriate book per month to each registered child from birth to five in participating counties, mailed to homes at no cost to families.
• Mandates the Department of Early Childhood Education to coordinate with a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit to operate the state program and oversee administration.
• Requires a 50/50 cost-share: the state funds provide half the cost and local partners provide the other half, with local funds matching per Dolly Parton's Imagination Library framework.
• Allows the department to accept gifts, grants, donations, and other funding sources, deposited into the Imagination Library of Alabama Fund, and ensures unspent funds roll over to the next fiscal year.
• Requires annual public reporting on the number of local programs, locations, enrollment, books provided, and the names of local partners.
• Authorizes the Department to adopt rules as needed for administering the program.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education