SB480 - Alabama Kinship Guardianship Subsidy Act

• Establishes a kinship guardianship program allowing relatives of children in Department of Human Resources custody to become legal guardians without terminating parental rights, addressing the needs of children and caregivers in long-term kinship relationships.

• Creates a Kinship Guardianship Subsidy Program providing financial assistance to kinship guardians with monthly payments not exceeding the foster care maintenance rate, funded through federal sources and available appropriations.

• Defines eligibility criteria for child participation including judicial determination that remaining with parents would be contrary to welfare, six consecutive months of residence with the caregiver, and best interests determination by the court.

• Grants kinship guardians parental-level authority over education, medical care, and activities, with subsidy payments continuing until age 18 (or 21 if eligible) provided the child remains in the guardian's care and meets specified conditions.

• Modifies juvenile code provisions to establish kinship guardianship as a permanent placement option in child dependency proceedings, with protections against modification except upon clear proof that changes materially promote the child's best interests and would outweigh disruption.