SB63 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Psychology Professional Wellness Committee, established within Psychology Examiners board to provide intervention services to impaired licensed professionals, duties, immunity provided, Sec. 34-26-4 added

Summary

SB63 creates the Alabama Psychology Professionals Wellness Committee within the Board of Examiners in Psychology to identify and intervene with impaired licensed psychology professionals, with external contracting for services and strict confidentiality, effective January 1, 2022.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new Alabama Psychology Professionals Wellness Committee to identify and intervene with licensees impaired by illness or substance issues. The Board may contract with a nonprofit, health professional, or professional association to perform tasks such as receiving reports, arranging treatment, monitoring progress, and providing post-treatment support. The Board and Committee will report on program activity, and the Board retains the authority to discipline, though participation in treatment can influence disciplinary actions. Confidentiality protections keep most committee records private and not subject to public records or subpoenas, with specific exceptions for contract breaches and required disclosures related to discipline; funding covers operations, not treatment costs, and the program becomes effective January 1, 2022.

Who It Affects

• Licensed psychology professionals (licensed psychologists and licensed psychological technicians) who may be identified as impaired and potentially referred for evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation, with confidentiality protections and possible impact on disciplinary actions.
• The Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology and contracted external organizations (nonprofits, health professionals, or professional associations) responsible for administering the wellness program, evaluating impairment, arranging treatment, monitoring, and reporting.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Psychology Professionals Wellness Committee under the Board of Examiners in Psychology to identify and intervene in impairment due to illness, substance use, or other conditions.
• Defines impairment and licensee for purposes of the section; requires the Board to develop an early identification, treatment, and rehabilitation program.
• Requires a diverse committee of 3–11 members who are licensed professionals and Alabama residents; allows contracting with a nonprofit or professional organization to carry out specified duties.
• Contracts may include receiving reports of impairment, intervening, arranging treatment, referring to programs, monitoring treatment, and providing post-treatment support.
• Board must establish reporting procedures for statistics and annual operations of the committee.
• Committee reports to the board on impaired licensees and those needing intervention or rehabilitation who refuse treatment.
• Board may require an impairment evaluation by the committee; findings go to the board; disciplinary action remains with the board, though treatment participation can influence action.
• All committee information and records are confidential and not public records, with limited disclosures allowed only for contract breaches or as necessary for disciplinary purposes.
• Funding may cover operational expenses of the committee (travel, staff, etc.), but not treatment costs; funds are not subject to competitive bidding.
• Effective date: January 1, 2022.

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

Subjects

Psychology, Alabama Board of Examiners in