SB240 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Greg AlbrittonGerald H. AllenWill BarfootWilliam “Bill” M. BeasleyTom ButlerDonnie ChesteenChris ElliottGarlan GudgerSteve LivingstonDel MarshArthur OrrRandy PriceClay ScofieldShay ShelnuttRodger SmithermanTom WhatleyJack W. Williams

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Department of Public Health, reconstituted, State Board of Health, State Committee of Public Health, State Health Officer abolished, State Health Advisory Board, Secretary of ADPH, medical director established, county boards of health, membership revised, Secs. 22-2-9, 22-2-10, 22-2-11, 22-2-12, 22-2-13, 22-3-8 repealed; Secs. 22-1-1, 22-1-3, 22-2-1, 22-2-2, 22-2-3, 22-2-4, 22-2-5, 22-2-6, 22-2-7, 22-2-8, 22-3-1, 22-11A-38, 22-22A-2, 22-29-1, 22-37A-2, 34-15-2, 34-15-5 am'd.

Summary

SB240 would reorganize Alabama's public health system by dissolving the current State Board of Health and related bodies and replacing them with a restructured Alabama Department of Public Health led by a Governor-appointed Secretary, a State Medical Director, and a State Health Advisory Board, with redesigned county health boards and several councils removed.

What This Bill Does

It abolishes the State Board of Health and the State Committee of Public Health (and the State Health Officer) and transfers their duties to the Alabama Department of Public Health. It creates the Secretary of the Alabama Department of Public Health and the State Medical Director, outlining their key responsibilities. It establishes a State Health Advisory Board with appointed health professionals to advise the secretary, adopt rules, hear appeals, and develop public health policy. It redesigns county boards of health, removing the county quarantine officer and specifying new membership and appointment rules. It abolishes several councils (Dental Health; Animal and Environmental Health; Prevention of Disease and Medical Care; Health Costs, Administration and Organization) and updates terminology and code references to reflect the new structure, with some provisions taking effect October 1, 2022.

Who It Affects

• Public health professionals and local government officials (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, county commissioners, and county boards) who will have new appointment processes, roles, and governance under the restructured department.
• All Alabama residents who rely on public health services, as changes in leadership, standards, disease control, and policy development may affect how public health duties are carried out and how health information is shared and implemented.

Key Provisions

• Abolition of the State Board of Health, the State Committee of Public Health, and the State Health Officer, with duties transferred to a reconstituted Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH).
• Creation of the Secretary of the Alabama Department of Public Health (Governor-appointed, serving at the Governor's pleasure) to lead the department and advise the Governor and Legislature on public health matters.
• Creation of the State Medical Director (appointed under the State Health Advisory Board's framework) with defined duties to study health data, plan and coordinate programs, set health standards, train professionals, and respond to outbreaks.
• Establishment of the State Health Advisory Board (appointed by the Governor) consisting of multiple health professionals (physicians, nurses, a nurse practitioner, a dietitian, a dentist, a pharmacist, a psychologist, an optometrist) with five-year initial terms and five-year terms thereafter, diverse representation, and a chair elected by the majority of members.
• County boards of health are redesigned to include the presiding county commissioner and representatives from several health professions (physicians, a nurse, a dentist, a pharmacist, a veterinarian) with residency rules and a county health director serving as secretary; counties appoint members as positions expire.
• Abolition of the Council on Dental Health, the Council on Animal and Environmental Health, the Council on the Prevention of Disease and Medical Care, and the Council on Health Costs, Administration and Organization.
• References to the State Board of Health and the State Health Officer are updated to reflect the new titles and structure (Secretary and State Health Advisory Board) and the reorganization is reflected in Subtitle 2 and Subtitle 3 designations of Title 22.
• Some provisions become effective immediately; other sections take effect October 1, 2022, with related code changes and reorganizations implemented as specified.

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

Subjects

Public Health Department