HB319 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Ed HenryJim McClendon

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Pain Management Act, physicians, requirement for physicians to have criminal background check deleted under certain conditions, Act 2013-257, 2013 Reg. Sess., am'd.; Sec. 34-24-604 am'd.

Summary

HB319 changes the Pain Management Act so physicians who provide pain management must register with the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and meet new credential and background-check requirements.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill requires all physicians providing pain management to obtain a board registration starting January 1, 2014. Applicants must submit a completed form, proof of DEA registration, proof of Alabama controlled substances certificate, proof of current Alabama Prescription Drug Monitoring Program registration, and undergo a criminal background check with fingerprints forwarded to state and federal authorities. The board can disclose certain information in denial cases, and new registration and renewal processes impose fees and location-related requirements. The act also sets exemptions and allows the board to grant exemptions on a discretionary basis.

Who It Affects

• Physicians who provide pain management services: must register, meet credential requirements, and undergo background checks with fingerprinting; subject to renewal, fees, and potential denial or discipline disclosure.
• Pain management practice locations and their administrators: must provide location details, designate a medical director, confirm ownership disclosures if not a hospital, renew registrations, and may face exemptions or disciplinary disclosures.

Key Provisions

• Starting Jan 1, 2014, all physicians providing pain management must obtain a pain management registration from the board.
• Registration requires: completed board form, proof of DEA registration, proof of Alabama controlled substances certificate, proof of current Alabama Prescription Drug Monitoring Program registration, and the results of a criminal background check with fingerprints sent to the ABI and FBI.
• The board will keep background information confidential except as needed to support registration decisions, including denials.
• A list of registrants by practice location must be maintained; the board may disclose the status of any controlled substances certificate or disciplinary actions.
• Fees: initial registration and renewal fees may not exceed $300 each; separate registration fees apply for each practice location.
• Renewal requires a current renewal form, payment, and attestations that each non-hospital location has a medical director and that ownership does not involve certain convicted individuals; an interview may be granted if a conviction is disclosed.
• Exemptions may be granted for hospice programs or federal facilities, and the board may grant other exemptions at its discretion.
• The act becomes effective immediately after approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Physicians