BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – The 2026 Legislative Session is in its final days and several bills are running out of time to make it over the finish line, including the Paris Hilton Child Safety and Accountability Act.
Supporters of the bill say this means for at least another year, kids in 24/7 childcare and youth facilities are still vulnerable to abuse.
Bill aimed to protect vulnerable children
Attorney Tommy James, who represents children and families who say they have experienced abuse, said Senate Bill 336 could change state law to ensure kids and teens that are placed within 24-hour youth facilities are safe.
“They’re houses of horrors from what I’ve seen over my career, and it’s a shame our state is letting this happen to our kids, and we’ve got to do something about it,” James said.
James has represented dozens of children over the past 20 years who have claimed to be abused while at residential youth facilities.
“I mean, we’re talking physical abuse that’s led to broken bones, these are just my cases, broken bones, concussions. We’ve had multiple sexual abuse cases and even death cases, sadly,” James said.
Paris Hilton advocates for bill’s passage
The Paris Hilton Child Safety and Accountability Act is meant to protect the state’s most vulnerable children. Hilton advocates for the bill’s passage.
“I was taken from my bedroom in the middle of the night and transported against my will, to four facilities where I was emotionally, physically, and sexually abused,” Hilton said. “I’m a survivor of the troubled teen industry and I’m here to ask you to protect children in residential programs in Alabama.”
Senate Bill 336 would change licensing requirements and provide the Department of Human Resources and law enforcement more tools to investigate allegations of abuse.
“It’s gonna increase transparency. It’s gonna ensure accountability. It’s gonna make reporting easier for these places, require them to do it. It’s gonna require them to provide, to maintain video, to maintain records — things they’re not doing right now,” James said.
James went to Montgomery with one of his former clients, an abuse survivor, to share his story with lawmakers.
Bill passes committee but runs out of time
The bill, co-sponsored by Senator Will Barfoot, passed out of the Judiciary Committee with no objections. But now the session is ending.
“Just ran out of time and couldn’t get it across the finish line but these issues still exist. It’s not gonna go away. The session may end tomorrow but the issue of children getting abused horribly and neglected in these places is ongoing,” James said.
This was the first year this bill was introduced in the legislative session. Because more eyes are on it now, James hopes it will be reintroduced and ultimately passed next year.
Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.
Copyright 2026 WBRC. All rights reserved.
————————————————
