HB345 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wes KitchensSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to occupational licensing of health professionals; to establish the Health Professional Scope of Practice Review Commission to review and make recommendations to the Legislature regarding legislation revising or creating scope of practice laws for health professions; to provide for membership of the commission; and to provide guidelines for the commission to determine if scope of practice legislation is appropriate.

Summary

HB345 creates the Health Professional Scope of Practice Review Commission to study and guide proposed changes to health professions' scope of practice and licensing rules before the Legislature.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a multi-member commission to review proposals that increase scope of practice or create new licensing for health professions, and to report findings and recommendations to key lawmakers before each regular session. The commission uses defined criteria to assess proposals, requires evidence of effectiveness for any continuing education requirements, and can request temporary ad-hoc members for each proposal to reflect opposing viewpoints. The act also clarifies that it does not apply to pre-existing boards or amendments made before it becomes law.

Who It Affects

• Health professional groups and occupational licensing boards seeking increased scope of practice or new regulation must submit proposals, provide required information, and may have temporary ad-hoc members join the commission for their proposal.
• Alabama residents and patients who receive health care may be affected indirectly through the Commission's evaluations of proposed changes, which aim to protect public health, safety, and welfare and could influence access to care and associated costs.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Health Professional Scope of Practice Review Commission with specified membership, terms, and procedures, including two temporary ad-hoc members for each proposal to represent opposing viewpoints.
• Requires the Commission to review proposals to increase scope of practice or create a new regulation and licensing scheme, evaluate them against defined factors (education, testing, public impact, costs, etc.), and report findings to the Legislature before each regular session.
• Mandates that any continuing education requirement proposed for a profession include evidence of effectiveness, and allows for informational hearings; notes that the Legislature is not bound by the Commission's recommendations.
• Sets timelines (submission by October 1; Commission to meet by November 1 each year; reports due 20 days before the start of the regular session) and clarifies exemptions for pre-existing boards or amendments; outlines that proposals may still be submitted for review regardless of Commission input.

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

Subjects

Health Professional Scope of Practice Review Commission, established to review scope of practice of health care professionals.