SB116 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated May 24, 2021

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: State Board of Respiratory Therapy, add'l consumer member appointed by Governor, Sec. 34-27B-5 am'd.
Summary: SB116 adds a Governor-appointed consumer member to the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy.
What This Bill Does
It creates a new consumer seat on the six-member board and specifies that the consumer member will be chosen from one name submitted by each of three advocacy groups (Alabama Cystic Fibrosis Association, Alabama Lung Association, and the Alabama Asthma Coalition). The rest of the board composition and appointment rules remain the same, and the consumer member will have the same term structure and protections as the other members. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it passes and the Governor signs it.

Who It Affects
Consumers and patients with respiratory conditions (e.g., cystic fibrosis, asthma) who will have a voice on the board through the new consumer member.
Respiratory therapists, hospitals, physicians, and related professional groups in Alabama, since the board gains a new consumer seat and the appointment process now includes a consumer perspective while maintaining current diversity and term rules.

Key Provisions
Adds a consumer member to the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy, appointed by the Governor; the consumer seat comes from one name submitted by each of the Alabama Cystic Fibrosis Association, the Alabama Lung Association, and the Alabama Asthma Coalition (three names total, one from each entity).
Board composition remains six members: three respiratory therapists, one hospital chief executive, one physician, and one consumer; all members must be Alabama residents and the board must reflect diversity in gender, race, geography, urban/rural status, and economic background.
Governor appointments for all positions must occur within 90 days of a position becoming available; terms follow the existing schedule (initial terms specified as two years for two respiratory therapists and the hospital member, four years for one respiratory therapist and the physician; thereafter, four-year terms for all, with a maximum of three consecutive terms).
Members serve without compensation but are reimbursed for travel and other reasonable expenses; per diem is provided following state employee guidelines; expenses are paid from the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy Fund.
Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and Governor 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: Respiratory Therapy, State Board of