HB300 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John W. Rogers

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Professional licensing boards, review of certain boards, prohibit discrimination of a person or client, create judicial review board

Summary

HB300 would create a new judicial review board to hear discrimination complaints by licensees of professional licensing boards and prohibit unlawful discrimination by those licensees.

What This Bill Does

It bans licensees from unlawfully discriminating against people or clients based on protected characteristics in hiring and in providing goods or services. It establishes a Judicial Review Board, made up of nine circuit court judges appointed by the Governor, to hear complaints and make determinations. The board’s findings become admissible in disciplinary actions, and no disciplinary investigation by a licensing board can start until the board has adjudicated a complaint and found misconduct. Licensees can file complaints with the board if they believe their rights were violated during an investigation, and the board’s findings can be used in disciplinary proceedings. The act allows simultaneous proceedings if ethical rules conflict and requires the Governor to ensure diverse representation on the board.

Who It Affects

• Licensees of professional licensing boards listed in Title 34 of the Alabama Code; they would be prohibited from discriminating and would be subject to findings by the Judicial Review Board.
• People and clients who interact with these licensees; they would have protection against unlawful discrimination and could file complaints that are heard by the Judicial Review Board.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits licensees from unlawfully discriminating or knowingly permitting unlawful discrimination based on race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability in hiring, promotion, discharge, or in providing goods or services.
• Creates a Judicial Review Board to adjudicate complaints of discrimination, consisting of nine current circuit court judges appointed by the Governor, with diversity requirements.
• Provides that a licensing board may not initiate disciplinary action against a licensee until the Judicial Review Board has adjudicated a complaint and found misconduct; the board’s findings are admissible in disciplinary proceedings.
• Allows licensees under investigation to submit complaints to the Judicial Review Board; the board’s findings are admissible in disciplinary proceedings.
• If there is a conflict between this act and established ethics rules, disciplinary actions may proceed simultaneously with the Judicial Review Board proceedings.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Boards and Commissions