Alabama § 38-7-4 - License to Operate or Conduct Child-Care Facility - Application; Investigation; Application to Operate Foster Family Home May Be Made to Licensed Child-Placing Agency.
Full text of Alabama Code of Alabama § 38-7-4 — License to Operate or Conduct Child-Care Facility - Application; Investigation; Application to Operate Foster Family Home May Be Made to Licensed Child-Placing Agency., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 38-7-4. License to Operate or Conduct Child-Care Facility - Application; Investigation; Application to Operate Foster Family Home May Be Made to Licensed Child-Placing Agency.
Any person, group of persons or corporation who or which receives children or arranges for care or placement of one or more children unrelated to the operator shall apply for a license or for approval to operate one of the types of child-care facilities defined in this chapter. Application for such license or approval to operate a child-care facility shall be made to the department in the manner and on forms prescribed by it. The department, upon receiving such application, shall examine the premises of the child-care facility, including buildings, equipment, furnishings and appliances thereof and shall investigate the persons responsible for the care of children therein. If, upon such examination of the facility and investigation of the persons responsible for care of children, the department is satisfied that the facility and the responsible persons reasonably meet standards prescribed for the type of child-care facility for which application is made, the department shall issue a license or an approval in the proper form, designating on said license or approval the type of child-care facility and, except for a child-placing agency, the number of children to be served at any one time. Application to operate a foster family home may be made to a licensed child-placing agency as defined in subdivision (7) of Section 38-7-2, and such licensed child-placing agency may examine said foster family home and investigate persons therein responsible for the care of children, and, upon being satisfied that the foster family home and the responsible persons reasonably meet standards prescribed by the department, said licensed child-placing agency may issue an approval to said foster family home.
Source: official Alabama text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama § 38-7-4
What does Code of Alabama § 38-7-4 cover?
Section 38-7-4 ("License to Operate or Conduct Child-Care Facility - Application; Investigation; Application to Operate Foster Family Home May Be Made to Licensed Child-Placing Agency.") is part of the Code of Alabama, the codified statutory law of Alabama. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Alabama § 38-7-4?
A common citation format is "Code of Alabama § 38-7-4" (Alabama). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Alabama law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Alabama official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Alabama attorney.
How does Alabama § 38-7-4 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Alabama can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.