(a) The term "developmentally disabled" means a person whose impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior which is manifested before the person attains the age of 22 and results in intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or autism and as defined in Public Law 98-527, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (Section 102(7)).

(b) A private non-profit corporation organized under the laws of Alabama and qualified under the Internal Revenue Code as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation as described herein is qualified for designation as guardian for persons with developmental disabilities and who has been determined by the probate court to need some degree of guardianship; provided that those corporations qualifying under this section shall be governed by a board of directors which shall have no fewer than 35 percent of its membership representing parents or siblings of persons with developmental disabilities. Further such corporation shall be established in perpetuity to provide a lifetime of service to those persons placed under their care. In no case shall a corporation appointed under this section engage in providing direct or indirect services to the wards/protective persons under its care or take any other action that could be considered a conflict of interest.

(c) The Alabama Department of Mental Health shall assist the courts in their implementation of this section and shall develop guidelines for the provision of guardianship services by corporations appointed under this section.