HB9 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joseph C. Mitchell

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Hospitals or health care facilities, inspection date or time, disclosure in advance by county health department employee or any agent of state or county, prohibited, penalties, Sec. 22-21-29 am'd.

Summary

HB9 would bar advance disclosure of hospital or health care facility inspection dates and times by state or county health department workers and create penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits employees or contract staff of the state or counties from sharing in advance the date or time of inspections with people who have a financial interest, facility employees or agents, consultants or contractors, or relatives of facility personnel. It expands the definition of inspection to include various related activities such as periodic checks, complaint investigations, and follow-ups, including those done for federal programs. It establishes Class A misdemeanor penalties for violations or for soliciting disclosures, but allows certain disclosures required by federal law or those needed for public health and safety, and recognizes that regular, predictable scheduling of inspections is not a violation.

Who It Affects

• State and county health department employees or agents who would be prohibited from disclosing inspection dates or times in advance.
• Hospitals and other health care facilities (including owners, employees, agents, consultants, contractors, and those with a financial interest) who would be protected from advance disclosure and subject to the prohibition and potential penalties.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 22-21-29 to prohibit advance disclosure of inspection dates or times by state or county health department employees or agents to specified parties.
• Creates Class A misdemeanor penalties for violations of the advance disclosure prohibition and for soliciting disclosures to others.
• Defines inspections broadly (including periodic/compliance inspections, complaint investigations, and follow-ups) and provides limited exceptions for public health/safety considerations and federally required disclosures; allows advance disclosure when required by federal law or when scheduling regular inspections.
• Establishes a hospice licensure-related provision requiring prior inspections of existing hospices before new licensure is granted, with specified historical inspection requirements.
• Notes that the bill’s impact on local expenditures falls within constitutional exemptions and determines an effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses