HB595 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John F. Knight Jr

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Alabama Prosthetics and Orthotics Education Grant Program, established to provide grants to expand master's and doctoral degree programs, Alabama Commission on Higher Education to administer

Summary

HB595 creates a grant program to help public colleges in Alabama expand master's and doctoral programs in prosthetics and orthotics, administered by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Prosthetics and Orthotics Education Grant Program and provides funds to eligible public institutions to expand orthotics and prosthetics master’s or doctoral programs. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education would administer the program, set grant amounts, and manage applications and disbursements using funds appropriated by the Legislature or donated. Grants can be used to increase enrollment, train or hire faculty, expand facilities, support clinical rotations with hospitals, fund equipment and research, and other related needs, with construction spending capped at 50% of a grant. Institutions must maintain accreditation after the grant, and admissions preference for veterans would be provided where practical.

Who It Affects

• Public postsecondary institutions in Alabama offering orthotics and prosthetics programs, which could receive grants to expand those programs.
• Students and prospective orthotics and prosthetics practitioners, who may gain more program slots and opportunities (with veterans preferred in admissions where practicable).
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities, which would partner with grant-recipient institutions to provide clinical rotations and related activities.
• The Alabama Commission on Higher Education, which would administer the program, set rules, process grants, and oversee implementation.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Prosthetics and Orthotics Education Grant Program to provide grants to eligible public institutions expanding master’s or doctoral degree programs in orthotics and prosthetics; funds come from funds appropriated by the Legislature or from gifts/donations.
• Eligible institutions are public postsecondary institutions offering orthotics and prosthetics programs; programs must be accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education in cooperation with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, or demonstrate the ability to meet accreditation requirements if granted.
• Grants may be used to increase enrollment, provide faculty training, expand facilities, and must involve partnerships with hospitals or facilities for clinical rotations; allowed uses include building programs, training candidates and faculty, improving faculty salaries, financial aid, research, renovations, and equipment; construction costs are limited to 50% of the grant.
• Institutions receiving grants must maintain accreditation after the grant ends and must give preference in admissions to veterans, where practicable.
• The Alabama Commission on Higher Education may set rules, determine grant amounts, request information, accept gifts, and handle all aspects of administering the program, including applications and disbursements.
• The Executive Director of ACHE must prepare an annual budget for the grant program; funds are to be appropriated annually from the Education Trust Fund for the program and related administrative costs.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage/approval.

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

Subjects

Colleges and Universities