HB596 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur Payne

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Counseling, Board of Examiners In, confidentiality of records of complaint and investigation files, internal code references further provided for, Sec. 34-8A-16 am'd.; Act 2009-587, 2009 Reg. Sess. am'd.

Summary

HB596 fixes how the Board of Examiners in Counseling treats confidentiality for complaint and investigation files by clarifying what must be confidential and what must be public.

What This Bill Does

It aligns the confidentiality rules for the Counseling Board’s complaint and investigation files by keeping most records confidential while listing specific items that must be released to the public. It requires public release of settlements, formal charges or show-cause orders, and the board’s final disciplinary decisions. It also allows audits by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts and permits discovery of these records in civil or administrative cases under Act 2009-587 when there is a demonstrated need and no easy substitute.

Who It Affects

• Licensed professional counselors and associate licensed counselors: the bill changes how their complaint and investigation records are handled, making certain disciplinary information public while preserving confidentiality for most records.
• The public (including potential clients and researchers): gains access to specific disciplinary information (settlements, formal charges, and final board decisions) and to records for audits and certain court/administrative discoveries.

Key Provisions

• Maintains confidentiality for most records in complaint and investigation files, with explicit exceptions for public release.
• Public disclosure requirements: settlements, formal charges or show-cause orders, and the board's final disciplinary decisions.
• Allows the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to access complaint and investigation files for audits, examinations, or reviews.
• Allows discovery of complaint/investigation records in civil or administrative proceedings under Act 2009-587 if the requesting party demonstrates need and inability to obtain substantial equivalents.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Counseling, Board of Examiners In