SB113 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg J. Reed

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Tom WhatleyPaul BussmanGerald H. AllenBryan TaylorShadrack McGillRusty GloverDel MarshJerry L. FieldingJ.T. WaggonerClay ScofieldDick Brewbaker

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Physicians, Pain Management Act, pain management physicians and licensees of Board of Medical Examiners, Medical Licensure Commission, increased powers over pain providers and clincs, Secs. 34-24-1001 to 34-24-1011, inclusive, added

Summary

SB113 creates the Alabama Pain Management Act to regulate pain management clinics and physicians through registration, oversight, and enforcement by the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners.

What This Bill Does

It requires all pain management clinics and physicians working there to register annually with the Board, with background checks, PDMP registration, and fees. The Act gives the Board power to inspect clinics, suspend or revoke registrations, and close clinics that threaten public health, safety, or welfare. Clinics must have a medical director who oversees operations, ensures PDMP use, and ensures physicians are properly registered, and medical directors must meet specified training requirements. The Board can access PDMP data to detect dangerous prescribing and can impose sanctions, including fines up to $10,000 per violation or license/registration revocation.

Who It Affects

• Pain management clinics, which must register annually, meet ownership/operational requirements, provide records for inspection, and comply with PDMP and training standards.
• Physicians practicing in pain management clinics, who must register, undergo background checks, participate in PDMP requirements, work under a medical director, and face potential sanctions for violations.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Pain Management Act as Article 11, adding sections 34-24-1001 through 34-24-1011 to Chapter 24, Title 34.
• Requires annual registration for all pain management clinics and for physicians working in those clinics, including background checks, fingerprints, PDMP registration, and up to $300 initial/renewal fees.
• Defines pain management clinics, registrants, ownership/operation rules, and requires clinics to be owned by physicians or state-registered entities with a medical director.
• Requires medical directors to oversee clinical services, ensure compliance with board rules, and confirm PDMP usage by all physicians at the clinic; requires training or certification for medical directors.
• Gives the Board power to inspect clinics (often without prior notice), access records, and suspend/close clinics or suspend physician registrations for immediate danger to public health, with emergency processes and timelines.
• Allows the Board to access the Alabama Prescription Drug Monitoring Program data to identify dangerous prescribing patterns and to conduct investigations and disciplinary actions.
• Authorizes the Board to impose sanctions for violations, including fines up to $10,000 per violation and revocation of registrations.
• Clarifies investigations, complaints, and disciplinary procedures, and states the act becomes effective immediately upon passage.

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

Subjects

Medicine