SB156 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald O. Dial
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Senior Services Department, commissioner, administer ratio of dept., Board of Directors to serve as advisory board, Secs. 38-3-1, 38-3-2, 38-3-3, 38-3-4, 38-3-5, 38-3-6, 38-3-7 am'd.
Summary: SB156 clarifies that the Department of Senior Services is administered by the commissioner and that its Board of Directors serves only in an advisory capacity to the commissioner.
What This Bill Does
It clarifies that the Department of Senior Services is administered by the commissioner and that the Board of Directors serves only in an advisory capacity to the commissioner. It changes and defines the board’s composition (16 members including ex officio members and governor-appointed representatives) and lists its duties, like studying aging issues, coordinating services, and advising on legislation. It also covers the commissioner's role, allows longer meal-program contracts, and sets a transition from the Commission on the Aging to the Department of Senior Services with name changes in the code.

Who It Affects
The Department of Senior Services and its commissioner, who administer the department and rely on the advisory board for guidance.
Senior citizens and aging services in Alabama, who may see policy guidance and coordinated services shaped by the board's recommendations.

Key Provisions
The department is administered by the commissioner; the advisory board serves to advise the commissioner.
The advisory board consists of 16 members: 2 Senate members, 2 House members, 3 ex officio (Labor Commissioner, State Health Officer, Commissioner of Human Resources), and 9 governor-appointed members (business, labor, medical professionals, three senior citizen groups, and three responsible citizens).
Board duties include gathering data on aging conditions, staying current on developments, coordinating services, reporting to the Legislature, and advising on new legislation and department policies.
The commissioner is the executive officer/secretary of the board, may hire staff, and may contract meals programs for up to five years with extensions; existing contracts may be extended or renegotiated under specified conditions.
The law changes the agency name and transition: 'Commission on the Aging' becomes the board of directors advising the Department of Senior Services, with a transition period for branding and references.

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