HB483 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim Barton

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Steve ClouseChad Fincher

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Health care for elderly, programs providing all inclusive care for the elderly (PACE programs), licensing by Health Department, fees

Summary

HB483 would require licensure of PACE programs by the Alabama Health Department, with licensing fees capped at $500 per year.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds PACE programs to the facilities that must be licensed by the State Health Department. It lets the State Board of Health set initial and annual PACE license fees, capped at $500 per year. Licenses would follow the hospital licensure framework, expiring December 31 of the grant year and needing renewal with a fee. Accreditation by other bodies does not replace the need for state licensure.

Who It Affects

• PACE programs and their operators: must obtain state licensure, pay up to $500 annually, and renew licenses.
• State Health Department and State Board of Health: gain authority to license PACE programs and collect license fees to fund the licensure program.
• Elderly individuals enrolled in PACE programs and their families: receive state oversight through licensed PACE programs, which may improve accountability and quality of care.
• Hospitals and other health care facilities: PACE programs are treated as licensable under the hospital framework, with accreditation not replacing licensure.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 22-21-20 and Section 22-21-24 to include PACE programs within licensure requirements and definitions for hospitals.
• PACE program licensure fees: initial and annual fees for PACE programs to be established by the State Board of Health and capped at $500 per year.
• Effective date: the requirement to license PACE programs becomes operative on October 1 following the act's effective date.
• Licensure details: licenses expire December 31 of the year granted; renewal requires application, investigation, and payment of the renewal fee; late renewals incur penalties ($250 or 100% of renewal fee, whichever is greater; no refunds).
• Fee handling: all fees go to the State Treasury to credit the State Board of Health for use in enforcing the article.
• Accreditation interaction: hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals may be deemed licensable without further inspection, but accreditation does not waive the need to apply for licensure and pay the required fee.
• Private physician or dentist offices are not covered under the hospital licensure provisions defined in the bill.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health