SB133 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald O. Dial
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Nursing, Board of, investigators granted power of peace officers, and authorized to enforce controlled substance laws, Sec. 34-21-2 am'd.
Summary: SB133 gives the Alabama Board of Nursing investigators with peace-officer standards limited law-enforcement powers to investigate nurse license violations and controlled-substance cases, and allows expungement of disciplinary records from public disclosure.
What This Bill Does
The bill authorizes Board of Nursing investigators who meet the Alabama Peace Officers' Minimum Standards to exercise law enforcement powers (except arrest) when investigating alleged violations by licensed nurses or applicants for licensure under the Nurse Practice Act and the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. It lets these investigators inspect documents and enforce relevant laws as part of their investigations. It also allows the Board of Nursing to expunge disciplinary records of licensed nurses for purposes of public disclosure, reducing what is publicly available about past actions.

Who It Affects
Licensed professional nurses, licensed practical nurses, and applicants for nursing licensure in Alabama — investigators can enforce laws and inspect documents in cases involving Nurse Practice Act or controlled substances violations, but they cannot arrest.
The general public and media who access disciplinary records — some records may be expunged from public disclosure, limiting public access to certain disciplinary histories.

Key Provisions
Investigators of the Board of Nursing who meet minimum standards can exercise law enforcement powers, including inspecting documents and enforcing laws, in investigations of Nurse Practice Act and Uniform Controlled Substances Act violations by licensees or licensure applicants, but they cannot arrest.
Investigators must meet the Alabama Peace Officers' Minimum Standards and Training Act; they do not receive overtime compensation or other police benefits.
The Board of Nursing is authorized to expunge, for purposes of public disclosure, records of disciplinary actions taken against licensed nurses.
The bill revises sections 20-2-90 and 34-21-2 to reflect these changes and expand the Board of Nursing's investigative and disciplinary actions.

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