SB38 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg J. Reed

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Nursing, Board of, allow board to enter into the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, Secs. 34-21-20.01, 34-21-120 to 34-21-130, inclusive, added; Secs. 34-21-1, 34-21-2, 34-21-21, 34-21-22, 34-21-25 am'd.

Summary

SB 38 allows Alabama to join the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, creating a uniform, multistate license system so nurses can practice in participating states with a single license.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes Alabama to join the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact and establishes the legal framework and administrative bodies to operate it. It creates a Coordinated Licensure Information System to share licensure and enforcement data across party states and requires background checks (fingerprints) for multistate license applicants. It defines multistate licenses, home state versus remote states, and how actions in one state affect licenses in all party states, including creation of the Interstate Commission to oversee the compact. It also includes provisions for disciplinary programs and data confidentiality within the compact framework.

Who It Affects

• Nurses in Alabama (registered nurses and licensed practical nurses) who seek or hold a multistate license; they would be able to practice in other ENLC states under a single license, subject to background checks and home-state requirements.
• The Alabama Board of Nursing and other ENLC party-state licensing boards; they would administer the compact, report and act on cross-state licensure information, and enforce provisions related to adverse actions and discipline.

Key Provisions

• Adds fingerprint-based state and national criminal history background checks for multistate license applicants and endorsements, with applicants bearing the costs.
• Establishes Article 7: Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, to provide uniform licensing requirements and interstate practice across party states.
• Defines key ENLC terms (Compact, Home State, Remote State, Multistate License, Multistate Licensure Privilege, Single State License, Coordinated Licensure Information System, etc.).
• Requires a Coordinated Licensure Information System to collect, store, and share licensure and enforcement information among party states, including adverse actions and participation in alternative programs.
• Multistate license recognition: home-state license is recognized across party states; nurses must meet home-state requirements and comply with state practice laws where care is provided.
• If a nurse changes primary residence to a nonparty state, their multistate license becomes a single-state license; moving to another party state requires new home-state licensure and deactivation of the prior multistate license as applicable.
• Adverse actions by a home state or remote state can deactivate or suspend the multistate privilege; proper notification to the coordinated licensure information system and other states is required.
• Creates the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators to govern the compact, set rules, manage finances, open meetings, and coordinate with party states.
• Section 34-21-125 requires all party states to participate in the coordinated licensure information system and report adverse actions and other relevant information.
• Disciplinary Alternative Program provisions allow for voluntary treatment and nonpublic records under certain conditions, with rules for eligibility and confidentiality.
• The act includes rulemaking processes, oversight, potential withdrawal or termination of state participation, and severability of provisions.

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