HB407 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kelvin LawrenceRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Dental Scholarship Awards Board, Alabama Dental Service Program, name revised from Council on Dental Education to Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, Sec. 16-47-78 am'd.

Summary

HB 407 would rename the accrediting organization in Alabama's dental scholarship law from the Council on Dental Education to the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

What This Bill Does

The bill keeps the existing four types of scholarships and the Alabama Dental Service Program, which provide loans or scholarships to dental students based on need, merit, and rural health involvement. All references to the accrediting body are updated to the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, and funding rules remain the same. It also makes this name change retroactive to September 30, 2005.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents who apply for or receive loans or scholarships under the Alabama Dental Service Program (including students at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry and other institutions accredited by the updated accrediting body).
• The Board of Dental Scholarship Awards and the educational institutions it partners with (such as the University of Alabama School of Dentistry), along with the funding mechanism from the Education Trust Fund.

Key Provisions

• References to the accrediting organization in the statute are changed from the Council on Dental Education to the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
• The four scholarship/loan programs remain in place, including: (a) need-based loans up to tuition costs for Alabama residents; (b) merit-based scholarships; (c) Rural Dental Health Scholars Program loans; (d) Rural Dental Scholars Program reimbursements or scholarships.
• Any appropriations and remaining funds for the program stay with the Board of Dental Scholarship Awards and do not revert to other funds.
• The act has retroactive effect to September 30, 2005, and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

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

Subjects

Colleges and Universities