SB442 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

George M. “Marc” Keahey

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Dental Examiners of Alabama, Board of, members, removal, campaign guidelines for nominees, guidelines for soliciting votes and campaign contributions, alleged misconduct investigations, Sec. 34-9-40 am'd.

Summary

SB442 would change Alabama's Board of Dental Examiners rules to add campaign guidelines, stricter removal for just cause, voting rules for the dental hygienist seat, background checks for nominees, and limits on campaign contributions and solicitations.

What This Bill Does

It creates defined grounds for removing board members for misconduct; establishes campaign rules for nominees and current members; requires criminal background checks for nominees (with disqualification for felonies); limits and discloses campaign contributions; prohibits certain solicitations from dental organizations and companies; sets voting guidelines and a limited voting role for the dental hygienist board member; outlines election and appointment processes for board seats and terms; and requires investigations of misconduct to follow existing procedures.

Who It Affects

• Licensed dentists in Alabama who nominate, vote for, or serve on the Board of Dental Examiners; they are subject to background checks, contribution rules, and disclosure requirements.
• Licensed dental hygienists in Alabama who may nominate and elect the dental hygienist board member and who are subject to specific contribution limits, vaccination of hygiene-related voting, and campaign restrictions.

Key Provisions

• Defines just cause for removing a board member (e.g., willful neglect of duty, corruption, incompetence, intoxication, felony conviction, moral turpitude, dereliction of sworn duties, etc.).
• Imposes campaign guidelines for nominees and board members, including contribution limits and required disclosure on the board's website.
• Requires criminal background checks for all nominees; disqualifies individuals with felony or serious crimes; current sitting members are exempt from this check at the act’s start.
• Prohibits solicitation or acceptance of money or value from certain dental organizations, companies, or groups that could influence board decisions.
• Regulates how votes are solicited (no false endorsements, no misrepresentations, no misleading credentials, no improper use of board names).
• Creates a dental hygienist board seat elected by hygienists, with voting limited to hygiene-related matters; outlines nomination, election, and runoff procedures for this seat.
• Outlines election procedures, terms (five years), and appointment rules for vacancies, including involvement of the Alabama Dental Society and past-board members.
• Requires investigations of alleged misconduct to follow Section 36-11-3 procedures.
• Specifies different contribution limits: generally up to $250 per licensee for nominees; hygienist candidates may solicit up to $100 per licensee, with up to $250 from dentists for hygienist candidates; all contributions must be disclosed on the board website.

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

Subjects

Dental Examiners of Alabama, Board of