SB417 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Hightower

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Greg J. Reed

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Health care workers, infected health care workers, add Hepatitis C infection to definition of, Secs. 22-11A-60, 22-11A-61, 22-11A-62, 22-11A-63, 22-11A-66, 22-11A-67, 22-11A-73 am'd.

Summary

SB417 would add hepatitis C to the diseases that make a health care worker 'infected' and allow the Board of Health to require reporting of additional diseases.

What This Bill Does

It expands the definition of 'infected health care worker' to include hepatitis C infection and authorizes the State Board of Health to designate other diseases by rule for reporting to the State Health Officer. It maintains reporting requirements for infected workers and physicians, and establishes a process for investigating and potentially restricting the practice of infected workers who perform invasive procedures, including an expert review panel and final orders. It also outlines how records may be shared with the Board and panel, and how that final order can be appealed.

Who It Affects

• Health care workers infected with HIV, HBV, HCV, or other diseases designated by the Board (they would be subject to reporting, investigation, and possible practice restrictions).
• Health care facilities and employers (they would receive final orders and may need to implement any restrictions or conditions).
• State Health Officer and State Board of Health (they would oversee reporting, investigations, and enforcement actions).
• Patients and the public (their protection may improve through reporting, investigations, and potential restrictions).
• Insurers (the bill states it does not impose reporting requirements on life, health, or disability insurers through underwriting or claims processes).

Key Provisions

• Adds hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to the definition of 'infected health care worker' for reporting to the State Health Officer.
• Authorizes the State Board of Health to designate by rule other diseases that infected health care workers must report.
• Maintains reporting duties for infected health care workers and physicians, and prohibits performing invasive procedures by an infected worker until reporting and cooperation.
• Requires the State Health Officer to conduct investigations and, if invasive procedures are involved, assemble an expert review panel to review practice and issue recommendations.
• The State Health Officer issues a final order with any restrictions or conditions; the final order is subject to appeal to the State Committee of Public Health.
• Allows licensing boards, employers, and institutions to be notified of final orders and to enforce restrictions; permits access to relevant patient records (up to three years old) by the Board and expert panel.
• States that reporting requirements on insurers are not intended to be imposed through underwriting or claims processes.

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

Subjects

Hepatitis