SB342 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

T.D. “Ted” Little

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Mental Health Department, licensure for care or treatment for mental or emotional illness or individuals with a substance related disorder, non-clinical religious treatment excepted, Sec. 22-50-17 am'd. (2010-20348)

Summary

SB342 would let certain faith-based programs operated by an established church or religious nonprofit avoid state certification or licensing for handling substance-related disorders, so long as they provide exclusively inherently religious services.

What This Bill Does

It would amend Section 22-50-17 to exempt from certification a program or facility that exclusively provides inherently religious services for the care of individuals with substance-related disorders, when operated under the authority of an established church or religious nonprofit. The bill defines key terms and sets conditions that must be met for the exemption, such as no disease model, no clinical assessments or records, and providing only inherently religious services. It also requires the program to be clearly identified as religious in official documents and to operate under the church or nonprofit's authority. The exemption does not remove other regulatory oversight, as the Department of Mental Health and other state or local bodies may require compliance with remaining rules. The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Religious organizations (established churches or religious nonprofits) that run programs for substance-related disorders; they could operate without Department of Mental Health certification if they meet the specified conditions.
• Individuals with substance-related disorders who seek or receive care from such faith-based programs; they would receive care categorized as inherently religious services rather than state-licensed treatment, and the programs would be exempt from certification but still subject to other regulatory requirements.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 22-50-17 to exempt from certification a program or facility that exclusively provides inherently religious services for the care of individuals with substance-related disorders, when operated under the authority of an established church or religious nonprofit.
• Defines terms including CARE, CLINICAL, INHERENTLY RELIGIOUS, INHERENTLY RELIGIOUS SERVICES, PROGRAM, SERVICES, and SUBSTANCE RELATED DISORDER.
• Sets conditions (1-7) for the exemption, such as authority by church/nonprofit, official documents reflecting inherently religious purpose, providing only inherently religious services, no disease model, no clinical assessments or records, and no marketing as treatment.
• Requires the exemption to be subject to the department's assurance of compliance with these requirements.
• Adds subsection (e) clarifying that the section does not exempt from licensure, certification, or compliance with other requirements under the State Board of Health or other regulatory bodies.
• Effective date: 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

Mental Health Department