SB470 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Irons

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Mental Health Department, term intellectual disability changed to developmental disability and people with intellectual disabilities changed to people with developmental disabilities, Code of Alabama 1975 changed as appropriate, definitions, Medicaid waiver for applicants with developmental disabilities, Sec. 22-50-2.1 am'd.

Summary

SB470 updates Alabama law to use developmental disability terminology in place of intellectual disability, adds Medicaid waivers for developmental disabilities, and sets transition rules for the Department of Mental Health.

What This Bill Does

SB470 changes all references to intellectual disability to developmental disability and replaces phrases like 'people with intellectual disabilities' with 'people with developmental disabilities' in Title 22 and related laws. It creates Medicaid waivers for individuals with developmental disabilities and provides definitions for developmental disability, intellectual disability, and the waivers. It also clarifies that some administrative name changes are for terminology only and adds a transition period; it takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval. It further specifies that waiver eligibility cannot be denied solely for lack of an intellectual disability finding if the person is otherwise eligible under federal rules.

Who It Affects

• People with developmental disabilities who may be eligible for Medicaid waivers and related services (formerly labeled as having intellectual disabilities).
• State agencies, specifically the Department of Mental Health and the Alabama Medicaid Agency, which will implement the terminology changes, manage the new waivers, and oversee the transition.

Key Provisions

• Terminology changes: replace 'intellectual disability' with 'developmental disability' and 'people with intellectual disabilities' with 'people with developmental disabilities' throughout Title 22 and related references.
• Definitions and scope: add Section 2 defining developmental disability, intellectual disability, and related waivers; list criteria for developmental disability (age of onset, duration, and functional limitations).
• Medicaid waivers: provide for a home and community based waiver program for developmental disabilities and list included waivers.
• Waiver eligibility protection: agency cannot deny a waiver solely because there is no formal 'intellectual disability' finding if the person otherwise qualifies under federal rules.
• Name and transition rules: maintain the Department of Mental Health name for transition purposes; guide how references to the department will be updated and how existing materials may continue during transition.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on 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