HB254 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Nursing, Board of, investigators granted power of peace officers, and authorized to enforce controlled substance laws, Secs. 20-2-90, 34-21-2 am'd.

Summary

HB254 would empower the Alabama Board of Nursing's investigators to use limited law-enforcement powers (excluding arrests) in nursing-licensing investigations and allow expungement of disciplinary records for public disclosure.

What This Bill Does

The bill would let investigators who meet the Alabama Peace Officers' Minimum Standards and Training Commission requirements exercise law-enforcement powers, except the power to arrest, when investigating alleged Nurse Practice Act violations and Alabama Uniform Controlled Substances Act violations. They would have power to inspect documents and enforce laws as part of those investigations. Arrest power would still not be allowed. The Board of Nursing would be authorized to expunge records of disciplinary actions for purposes of public disclosure.

Who It Affects

• Licensed nurses in Alabama and applicants for licensure would be subject to enhanced investigations and potential disciplinary actions under the Nurse Practice Act and controlled substances laws.
• Board of Nursing investigators and the Board itself would gain limited law-enforcement powers and new enforcement duties for nurse-related violations.
• The public could be affected by changes in how disciplinary records are disclosed or expunged from public records.

Key Provisions

• Grant investigators of the Board of Nursing who meet minimum peace-officer standards authority to exercise the powers of a law-enforcement officer, except the power to make arrests, in investigating alleged Nurse Practice Act violations and Alabama Uniform Controlled Substances Act violations.
• Authorize investigators to inspect documents and enforce laws during investigations.
• Explicitly state that investigators shall not have the power to make arrests.
• Authorize the Board of Nursing to expunge, for purposes of public disclosure, records of disciplinary actions taken against licensed nurses.
• Modify Sections 20-2-90 and 34-21-2 to implement these changes.

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

Subjects

Nursing, Board of