SB186 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Linda Coleman-MadisonVivian Davis FiguresAndrew JonesGreg J. Reed

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Controlled substance database, access by board of nursing authorized for monitoring licensees, Sec. 20-2-214 am'd.

Summary

SB186 allows the Alabama Board of Nursing to access the controlled substances database to support investigations and disciplinary actions involving nurses who prescribe or are prescribed controlled substances.

What This Bill Does

Amends Section 20-2-214 to authorize the Alabama Board of Nursing to query the controlled substances database about licensees when investigating or disciplining nurses who prescribe or are prescribed controlled substances. List of who may access the database is expanded and clarified, including boards, licensed prescribers, certain nursing practitioners, physicians' assistants, pharmacists, law enforcement, Medicaid, department staff, and other state PDMPs, with specific access limits tied to roles and responsibilities. Requests for licensee information by the Board of Nursing must show good cause and are limited to the subject of an investigation or disciplinary action; information may be shared between authorized entities if related to such actions. The bill allows de-identified aggregate data releases for research or educational purposes under a data-use agreement, with privacy protections like removing identifying information.

Who It Affects

• Nurses and other licensees (including CRNPs and CNMs) who prescribe or are prescribed controlled substances; their information may be accessed for investigations or disciplinary actions and limited to relevant licensee data.
• Healthcare professionals and organizations that may access the database (boards, licensed prescribers, physicians' assistants, pharmacists, law enforcement, Medicaid, department staff, and other PDMPs) under specified limits and purposes.

Key Provisions

• Amends 20-2-214 to authorize the Alabama Board of Nursing to access the controlled substances database for inquiries related to investigations or disciplinary actions concerning nurses who prescribe controlled substances or who are prescribed controlled substances.
• Defines and limits access for multiple groups: authorized board representatives; licensed prescribers; up to two physician-designated staff; CRNPs/CNMs with QACSC; physician assistants; pharmacists; law enforcement; department staff; other states' PDMPs; and Board of Nursing with good cause.
• Allows sharing of database information between authorized parties when it pertains to investigations or disciplinary actions against Board of Nursing licensees.
• Permits the release of de-identified aggregate data for statistical, research, or educational purposes under a data-use agreement and privacy protections (removing identifying information).
• Includes nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update language to current style.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

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

Subjects

Nursing, Board of