SB151 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim MelsonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Health care, requires health care practitioners to include information about licensure in advertising and in other communications with patients

Summary

SB 151 would require health care practitioners to clearly include and communicate their licensure information in advertising and to patients.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would require ads that name a practitioner to identify the license type. Practitioners must conspicuously post and actively communicate their licensure to patients, wear an ID badge showing their name and license type, and display a notice in the office and on the practice's website listing each practitioner and their license type. The office must provide patients with the right to inquire about a practitioner's license and there would be a transition period for existing badges.

Who It Affects

• Health care practitioners in Alabama who must display and communicate licensure information and use new badge and posting requirements
• Current and prospective patients who will have easy access to practitioners’ licensure information and the right to inquire about it

Key Provisions

• Advertisements naming a health care practitioner must identify the practitioner’s license type and be free of deceptive or misleading information.
• Practitioners must conspicuously post and affirmatively communicate their licensure to patients; wear an identification badge showing name and license type; and display a notice in the reception area and on the practice’s website listing all practitioners and their license types.
• The notice must be visible to patients, include a statement about the right to inquire about license type, be at least 93 square inches with 1-inch high characters, and adoption of rules with penalties by licensing boards.
• Existing identification badges have a two-year transition period to meet the new requirements.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.
• Boards and agencies issuing licenses will adopt enforcement rules and a penalties schedule for violations.

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

Subjects

Health Care