SB282 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Tom WhatleyBryan TaylorGerald O. DialPhillip W. WilliamsGreg J. ReedScott BeasonGeorge M. “Marc” KeaheyRusty GloverTrip PittmanDel MarshMark Slade Blackwell

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Mental Health Department, licensure for care or treatment for mental or emotional illness or intellectual disability, licensed professional counselor and a church or ministry providing religious services excepted, mental illness and substance abuse treatment defined, Secs. 22-50-1, 22-50-17 am'd. (2011-20664)

Summary

SB282 would exempt church-operated care programs and certain licensed professionals from state licensure or certification for mental health or intellectual disability treatment, and it clarifies related definitions.

What This Bill Does

It exempts a legally established church or religious nonprofit from needing state certification or licensure to operate facilities that care for mental illness or intellectual disability. It also exemts licensed professional counselors operating within the scope of their license from extra licensing for these services, with a caveat that private practitioners must consider a patient-load threshold (two or more patients for 24 hours in a week) before licensing is required. It preserves an exemption for churches or ministries that provide only religious services. It defines terms related to mental health treatment and states there is no mandate for new insurance coverage, with the act becoming effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Churches, religious nonprofits, and church-operated facilities that provide care or treatment for mental illness or intellectual disability, who would no longer need state certification/licensure.
• Licensed professional counselors practicing within their license scope (including private practice), who would not need additional licensure or certification unless a specified patient-load threshold is met.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'Mental Illness or Substance Abuse Treatment' and related terms in 22-50-1.
• Exempts church-operated programs from certification/licensure to operate facilities for care or treatment of mental illness or intellectual disability; allows exemption for churches/ministries that provide only religious services.
• Exempts licensed professional counselors operating within the scope of their license from licensure/certification requirements for these services, with a private-office patient-load condition.
• Section 2 states there is no mandate requiring insurers to provide new or additional coverage benefits for this act.
• Section 3 states the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

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