SB102 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Chris ElliottSam GivhanSteve LivingstonTom WhatleyJack W. Williams

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, established to authorize licensed psychologists to practice on a limited basis among compact member states

Summary

Alabama adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to let licensed psychologists practice across member states via telepsychology or limited temporary in-person work, with a central commission and shared licensure system.

What This Bill Does

Creates the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Commission to oversee cross-state psychology practice, rules, and enforcement. Allows licensed psychologists to provide telepsychology services to clients in other compact states and to practice in distant states for up to 30 days per year in person, under defined conditions. Requires credential and background standards (like E.Passport and identity checks) and maintains home-state licensure with oversight. Establishes a coordinated licensure database, processes for adverse actions, dispute resolution, and rules for withdrawal or dissolution of the compact.

Who It Affects

• Licensed psychologists in Alabama and other compact states who may provide telepsychology across state lines and engage in up to 30 days of temporary in-person practice in distant states, under the compact's rules.
• Clients/patients in receiving states who may receive telepsychology or temporary in-person services from out-of-state licensed psychologists, with protections and oversight under the receiving state's laws and the compact.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Commission to govern the compact, including rules, bylaws, budgeting, and enforcement.
• Authorizes interjurisdictional telepsychology and 30-day temporary in-person practice across compact states, with home-state licensure and recognition mechanisms.
• Defines home-state licensure requirements, including active license, complaint mechanisms, adverse action reporting, identity history checks, and compliance with commission rules.
• Creates the Temporary Authorization to Practice (IPC/IPC-related) framework for distant states, with requirements analogous to telepsychology provisions and state-specific scope of practice.
• Gives receiving and distant states authority to regulate practice within their laws, and requires notification of adverse actions to the home state and the commission.
• Implements a Coordinated Licensure Information System (coordinated database) to share licensure and disciplinary information across compact states, with confidentiality protections.
• Provides for dispute resolution, enforcement, and potential termination or withdrawal processes, including how defaulting states are handled and how actions are appealed.
• Specifies rulemaking authority of the Commission, public notice and input procedures, and the open meeting requirements for transparency.

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

Subjects

Psychologists