SB500 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Gerald O. DialPhillip W. WilliamsBill HoltzclawPaul BussmanDick BrewbakerShadrack McGillGreg J. ReedScott BeasonRusty GloverPaul SanfordBen H. BrooksBryan Taylor

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Health care benefits, state subsidized, adults applying for or receiving, testing initially and periodically for substance abuse required, ineligibility for positive tests, Health Department to administer, payment for tests, State Health Officer to promulgate rules pursuant to Administrative Procedure Act to implement, certain persons exempt, Patient Accountability and Personal Responsibility Act

Summary

SB500 would require adults who apply for or receive state-subsidized health care benefits to undergo initial and periodic substance abuse testing, with loss of benefits for a positive test or for refusing to test.

What This Bill Does

The Department of Public Health would design and run a substance abuse screening program for adults seeking or receiving state-subsidized health care. A positive test (for certain controlled substances) or a refusal to test would make the adult ineligible for subsidies. Testing would occur before benefits start and then annually, with a randomly chosen month for each year; the cost would be added to the individual's premium. The Public Health Officer would set implementing rules, and there are exemptions for certain long-term care residents; the act becomes law a few months after passage.

Who It Affects

• Adults applying for or receiving state-subsidized health care benefits (subject to testing and potential loss of benefits for positive results or nonparticipation).
• Residents of nursing homes, penal facilities, mental health facilities, or other long-term care facilities (exempt from the testing requirement).

Key Provisions

• The Department of Public Health must design and implement a substance abuse screening program for adults receiving or seeking state-subsidized health care benefits, including periodic testing for controlled substances.
• An adult is ineligible for state-subsidized health care benefits if they do not participate in the testing program or test positive for Schedule I substances or Schedule II-V substances not prescribed for them.
• Testing is required as an initial condition before benefits and once per year thereafter, with the adult randomly assigned a month to test each year upon reasonable notice.
• Test results may not be admitted in criminal proceedings without the test subject's consent.
• The cost of periodic tests must be added to the tested adult's health care premium.
• The Public Health Officer must promulgate implementing rules under the Administrative Procedure Act.
• Exemptions apply to residents of nursing homes, penal facilities, mental health facilities, or other long-term care facilities from the testing requirements.
• The act takes effect 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

Health Care