SB244 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Clyde ChamblissSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to design professionals; to add Section 41-9A-3.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to require an agreement with a design professional who does not have professional liability insurance coverage to disclose that fact in writing to the client, who shall sign and notarize the disclosure.
Summary: SB244 requires an uninsured design professional to disclose that lack of liability insurance in writing to the client, with the client signing and notarizing before any work begins.
What This Bill Does
It adds a new requirement (Section 41-9A-3.1) to Alabama law. Before an uninsured design professional can start work, they must provide a written disclosure of their lack of professional liability insurance, and the client must sign and have that disclosure notarized. The bill defines which professionals count as design professionals (architecture, landscape architecture, surveying, engineering, interior design, geology) and sets an effective date of September 1, 2023.

Who It Affects
Uninsured design professionals (architects, landscape architects, surveyors, engineers, interior designers, and geologists) who would need to disclose the lack of liability insurance to clients.
Clients who hire design professionals, who must receive the disclosure and sign/notarize it before any services begin.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 41-9A-3.1 requiring an uninsured design professional to disclose in writing to the client before entering into an agreement to provide services.
The client must sign the disclosure and have it notarized before the design professional may perform any work for that client.
Design professionals covered include architecture, landscape architecture, surveying, engineering, interior design, and geology.
The act becomes effective on September 1, 2023 (the first day of the third month after passage/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: Design professionals, required to have professional liability insurance and disclose to clients