SB38 Alabama 2011 Session

Under existing law, psychologists and psychological technicians are licensed by the State Board of Examiners in Psychology

This bill would transfer the existing law regarding the board and its licenses contained in Chapter 26 of Title 34 of the Code of Alabama 1975, to a new Chapter 26A. This bill would provide for a continuation of the rights, duties, property, and membership of the board under the new chapter

This bill would further define what constitutes the practice of psychology and would provide further for the duties of a psychologist and psychological technician

This bill would further define what constitutes a privileged communication between a psychologist or a psychological technician and his or her client. This bill would provide circumstances in which the privilege may not be claimed by a client

This bill would require the board to establish a code of conduct for licensees

This bill would further provide for the composition, terms, duties, and powers of the members of the board

This bill would provide for licensure fees and requirements

This bill would provide for the limited practice of psychology by licensees of other jurisdictions

This bill would provide for the issuance of temporary licenses and provisional licenses

This bill would authorize the board to conduct background checks on applicants for licensure

This bill would authorize certain licensees to apply for inactive status

This bill would limit liability for certain actions by a psychologist or a psychological technician

This bill would further provide for the collection of a fee from applicants for licensure and the disposition of the fee

This bill would provide for the grounds in which the board could refuse to issue a certificate for a license or could revoke or suspend a license

This bill would provide penalties

This bill would provide a procedure for processing complaints against licensees of the board

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment

To create a new Chapter 26A and to repeal Chapter 26 of Title 34, Code of Alabama 1975; to provide for the membership, terms, powers, and duties of the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology; to provide for licensure of applicants for licensed psychologists and licensed psychological technicians; to provide requirements for licensure; to provide for fees and categories of licenses; to limit liability; to provide for continuation of the membership of the board and all actions of the board under prior law; to provide penalties; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.