HB244 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jack Williams
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Psychology Professional Wellness Committee, established within Psychology Examiners board to provide intervention services to impaired licensed professionals, duties, immunity provided, Sec. 34-26-4 added
Summary: HB 244 creates the Alabama Psychology Professionals Wellness Committee to help identify and assist licensed psychologists and psychological technicians who are impaired, under oversight by the Board of Examiners in Psychology.
What This Bill Does
It sets up a committee within the Board to identify and intervene in impairment due to illness, substance use, or other conditions. The Board may contract with nonprofits, health professionals, or professional associations to help with evaluation, treatment referral, and monitoring. It Establishes reporting rules and confidentiality protections, and it allows the Board to refrain from disciplinary action if a licensee is actively participating in recommended treatment, while maintaining disciplinary authority if needed.

Who It Affects
Licensed psychologists and licensed psychological technicians who may be impaired and may receive evaluation, intervention, treatment, and monitoring.
The Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology and any contracted nonprofit organization, health provider, or professional association that assists the committee in performing its duties.

Key Provisions
Creates the Alabama Psychology Professionals Wellness Committee to identify and intervene in impairment of licensed psychology professionals.
Authorizes the Board to contract with a nonprofit organization, health professional, or professional association to assist the committee.
Defines committee composition (3 to 11 members, appointed by the Board; includes one contractor representative).
Authorizes the committee to receive/evaluate reports, intervene in impairment, contract with treatment providers, refer licensees to treatment, monitor treatment, and provide post-treatment support.
Requires periodic (and annual) reporting to the Board on committee activity and operations.
Allows the Board to require an evaluation of a licensee by the committee and requires reporting of findings; Board retains disciplinary authority, but may refrain from discipline if the licensee is in treatment and participating in a prescribed program.
Keeps all committee-related information confidential and not subject to public records requests or subpoenas, with limited disclosures allowed by law; breach provisions can be shared with the Board for disciplinary purposes.
Provides immunity from liability for committee members, contractors, and related personnel performing duties, and for organizations contracting with the Board.
Authorizes the Board to fund the committee’s operational expenses (but not treatment costs) and to use funds without competitive bidding requirements.
Effective date: becomes law six months after passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Psychology, Alabama Board of Examiners in