HB605 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Nathaniel LedbetterRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Mental Health, Regional Mental Health Program and Facilities, limitations of liability, further provided, Sec. 22-51-15 added.
Summary: HB605 would extend state sovereign immunity protections to directors and employees of regional mental health programs for contracted services, while excluding subcontractors and independent contractors.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, directors and employees of regional mental health entities organized under this chapter would have immunity from certain civil damages when performing services or programs certified and contracted for by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, to the same extent as state employees under the state sovereign immunity statute. The immunity would not cover conduct by subcontractors or independent contractors of those programs. The bill adds a new code section outlining these liability protections, clarifies that they supersede other damage protections, and specifies that they apply to claims accruing after the act’s effective date. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after approval or enactment.

Who It Affects
Directors and employees of regional mental health programs and facilities organized pursuant to this chapter, when delivering contracted services for the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
Subcontractors and independent contractors working for those regional mental health programs.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 22-51-15 establishing immunity for directors and employees of regional mental health entities to the same extent as state employees under the state sovereign immunity statute.
Immunity applies only to conduct related to services or programs certified and contracted by the Alabama Department of Mental Health; does not extend to subcontractors or independent contractors.
Section supersedes existing protections limiting damages described in other chapters of Title 11 (as applicable to entities organized under this chapter).
Claims must accrue on or after the act’s effective date to be covered.
Effective date: first day of the third month following passage/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: Mental Health