SB320 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

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Summary

Primary Sponsor: Wendell Mitchell
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Physical Therapy, Board of, members further provided for, Sec. 34-24-192 am'd.; Act 2009-27, 2009 Reg. Sess. am'd.
Summary: SB320 changes how the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy is staffed and appointed by adding two more appointed members and clarifying nomination, terms, and diversity rules.
What This Bill Does
The bill keeps the seven-member board but adds two additional governor-appointed members who join the existing four physical therapists, two physical therapist assistants, and one consumer member. It sets a detailed nomination process (licensees nominate five candidates for each seat; the governor fills from those lists, plus the two additional seats), specifies geographic and professional balance (therapists by congressional districts, assistants from northern and southern areas, consumer at large), and establishes five-year staggered terms with limits on consecutive terms. It also outlines qualifications, vacancy procedures, meeting rules, and compensation provisions for board members, plus a commitment to diversity on the board.

Who It Affects
Licensed physical therapists in Alabama, who may gain or lose representation on the board and must meet qualifications for appointment.
Physical therapist assistants in Alabama, who will have representation on the board and must meet qualifications for appointment.
Consumer members of the public who serve on the board, with appointments governed by the new nomination process.
Governor and current licensees, who are involved in nominating candidates and filling vacancies.
Residents of Alabama, due to district-based representation and the goal of reflecting state diversity on the board.

Key Provisions
Board composition: seven existing seats plus two additional governor-appointed members, with four PTs, two PTAs, and one consumer as the core structure.
Nomination and appointment: governor appoints five nominees for each seat from lists provided by current licensees; two extra seats are filled by governor using the same process; PTs nominated from congressional districts, PTAs from northern/southern areas, consumer from state at large.
Term limits and geography: staggered five-year terms; no more than two consecutive terms; efforts to ensure district representation where possible and no two PTs from the same congressional district when feasible.
Qualifications: PT/PTA members must be residents and citizens of Alabama, have practiced in-state in the prior three years, and have no disciplinary action in that period.
Vacancies: within one year of the annual nomination meeting, the governor fills from remaining names; other vacancies filled from five nominees submitted by licensees.
Meetings and compensation: board sets meeting details, notifies licensees at least 30 days ahead; members receive a daily fee and travel reimbursement per state policy, with exact amounts set by the board.
Effective date: provisions take effect immediately after passage (and the related schedule for the two additional seats) becomes law.

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