SB405 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim MelsonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

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

SB405 would add hepatitis C to the definition of infected health care workers for reporting and allow the Board of Health to require reporting of other diseases as designated.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill requires health care workers infected with HCV to report to the State Health Officer and gives the Board of Health authority to designate additional diseases that require reporting. It sets up investigations and an expert review panel if the infected worker performs invasive procedures, with the Health Officer issuing final orders that may restrict practice. It also outlines record-sharing requirements, conditions for licensing actions, and an appeals process; insurers would not be required to report infections during underwriting or claims processes.

Who It Affects

• Group 1 affected and how: Infected health care workers (including those with HIV, HBV, HCV, or other designated diseases) would must report infections, may be investigated, could face expert review and possible limits or restrictions on their practice, and may be subject to licensing action if rules are violated.
• Group 2 affected and how: Health care facilities and employers, licensing boards, and patients would be involved in implementing and enforcing restrictions, receiving final orders, sharing information and records for investigations (up to three years old), and being notified about necessary patient follow-ups when required.

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.
• Infected health care workers who perform invasive procedures must notify the State Health Officer; physicians providing care to such workers must also notify.
• If invasive procedures are performed, the State Health Officer must form an expert review panel to evaluate the practice, with confidentiality protections where possible.
• The expert review panel may recommend practice limitations or conditions; the State Health Officer issues a final order reflecting those recommendations and may require patient notifications.
• Licensing actions (revocation, suspension, or restriction) can be taken against infected health care workers who violate the article.
• Authorized sharing of certain records with the State Health Officer and the expert review panel; records up to three years old are subject to review.
• Final orders can be appealed to the State Committee of Public Health in executive session; the committee may modify or reject the order.
• Insurers are not required to report infections discovered through underwriting or claims processes.

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

Subjects

Hepatitis