HB440 Summary

• Creates the Alabama Youth Residential Facility Abuse Prevention Act requiring registration of religious, faith-based, nonprofit, and for-profit youth residential facilities housing children over 24 hours with the Department of Human Resources effective January 1, 2018.

• Establishes minimum operational standards including staff-to-youth ratios of 1:4, criminal background checks for all employees, liability insurance of $500,000 minimum, prohibition of restraints and secure containment, and comprehensive health plans.

• Requires facilities to notify the department within 48 hours of each child's arrival, admit only children 12 and older, provide three nutritious meals daily, and obtain written parental consent for disciplinary practices.

• Grants children specific rights including freedom from abuse and restraint, access to religious services, contact with parents, grievance procedures, and opportunity to pursue GED if housed over 30 days.

• Authorizes the department to charge registration and renewal fees based on facility type and capacity, conduct quarterly inspections, and impose penalties for noncompliance; exempts state-operated facilities and recreational camps.