SB446 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Larry Dixon
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: SB446 amends confidentiality rules for the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling to allow limited public disclosure of disciplinary information and to permit audits and certain court discoveries.
What This Bill Does
The bill keeps most complaint and investigation files confidential but creates specific exceptions for what can be released. It requires the board to disclose settlement agreements, formal charges or show-cause orders, and final disciplinary decisions. It also allows the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to access these files for audits, examinations, or reviews, and it permits discovery of these materials in civil or administrative cases under existing law if a party shows need and undue hardship would be satisfied.

Who It Affects
Licensed professional counselors and associate licensed counselors: confidentiality of complaint/investigation files remains in place, but certain information (settlements, formal charges, and final disciplinary decisions) may be released publicly.
Public, government auditors, and litigants: the public and state audit authorities can access certain disciplinary information and board decisions, and parties in civil/administrative proceedings may obtain these documents under the specified discovery rules.

Key Provisions
Confidentiality preserved for complaint/investigation files except for specified disclosures (settlement agreements, formal charges or show-cause orders, and final board decisions).
Public release required for: settlements adopted by the board, formal charges or show-cause orders, and the board's final disciplinary decisions.
Complaint/investigation files may be released to the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts for audits, examinations, or reviews.
Civil or administrative proceedings may use discovery under Act 2009-587 if the party demonstrates need and cannot obtain an equivalent through other means.

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