SB49 Alabama 2020 Session

Updated Feb 12, 2020

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2020
Title: State Board of Respiratory Therapy, add'l consumer member appointed by Governor, Sec. 34-27B-5 am'd.
Summary: SB 49 would add a consumer member appointed by the Governor to the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy, expanding the board from five to six members.
What This Bill Does
It adds a consumer seat to the State Board of Respiratory Therapy and defines who fills each seat. The board would consist of three respiratory therapists, one hospital CEO, one physician, and one consumer. It sets nominating sources for each seat, with terms, diversity requirements, and limits on consecutive terms, and it describes meeting rules, compensation, immunity, and funding.

Who It Affects
Respiratory therapists in Alabama who may join the board or be affected by the nomination process; therapists must be licensed and are chosen from a list submitted by the Alabama Society for Respiratory Care.
A consumer who uses respiratory therapy services, who will be represented by the new consumer member.
Organizations that pick the consumer candidate (Alabama Cystic Fibrosis Association, Alabama Lung Association, Alabama Asthma Coalition), which submit names for the consumer seat.
Hospitals and physicians, who maintain the hospital CEO and physician seats and participate in the appointment process, with broader board composition reflecting state diversity.

Key Provisions
Adds a sixth member called a consumer to the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy, appointed by the Governor.
Board composition changes to three respiratory therapists, one hospital CEO, one physician, and one consumer.
Nominating processes: respiratory therapists from the Alabama Society for Respiratory Care; hospital seat from the Alabama Hospital Association; physician seat from the Medical Association of the State of Alabama; consumer seat from names submitted by the Alabama Cystic Fibrosis Association, the Alabama Lung Association, and the Alabama Asthma Coalition.
Terms: initial terms set with two RTs and the hospital member for two years, and one RT and the physician for four years; thereafter all members including the consumer serve four-year terms, with no more than three consecutive terms.
Diversity requirement: appointments should reflect the state's racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity.
Meetings: board must meet at least twice a year; a majority constitutes a quorum.
Compensation: members serve without pay but are reimbursed travel/expenses and receive a per diem; funding comes from the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy Fund.
Immunity: board members receive the same immunity from personal liability as state employees.
Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Respiratory Therapy, State Board of