SB335 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Kirk HatcherSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling; to add a new Article 3 to Chapter 8A of Title 34, Code of Alabama 1975, to create and provide for the operation of an Alabama Licensed Counselor Wellness Committee and voluntary treatment program for impaired licensed professional counselors and associate licensed counselors.
Summary: SB335 creates the Alabama Licensed Counselor Wellness Committee and a voluntary wellness program to identify, treat, and rehabilitate impaired licensed professional counselors and associate licensed counselors.
What This Bill Does
It creates a committee of licensees (3-9 members) to identify impairment early, intervene, refer to treatment, and monitor recovery with annual reports to the board. It also establishes a confidential, non-punitive wellness program to provide treatment and rehabilitation for impaired licensees, run under the committee. The bill sets reporting rules, allows the board to order evaluations, and permits limited disclosure of information to support treatment and board actions. Overall, it aims to protect clients by helping impaired counselors recover and return to practice safely.

Who It Affects
Licensed professional counselors and associate licensed counselors who may be impaired and could participate in voluntary treatment and aftercare (with confidentiality protections and potential changes to their practice while in treatment).
The Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling and any nonprofit organizations or medical professional associations contracted to operate the wellness committee and program (as administrators, funders, and coordinators of the initiative).

Key Provisions
Creates Article 3 in Chapter 8A of Title 34 to establish the Alabama Licensed Counselor Wellness Committee, consisting of 3-9 licensees appointed by the board for 3-year terms (with for-cause removal).
Creates the Alabama Licensed Counselor Wellness Program to develop, maintain, and provide treatment, evaluation, and rehabilitation for voluntary impairment, operated under the direction of the committee.
Outlines committee duties: receive suspected impairment reports, intervene in verified cases, refer to treatment, monitor treatment, provide post-treatment aftercare, submit annual activity reports to the board, and develop outreach and facility standards when requested.
Establishes confidentiality and non-punitive protections for the wellness program; licensees who voluntarily seek treatment and comply with aftercare may avoid disciplinary reporting for certain actions; aftercare and treatment information may be disclosed only under limited circumstances to support treatment or required by court.
Requires licensees to report known impairments of others to the committee; reports to the committee count as mandatory reports to the board; the board can order evaluations and share necessary information with the committee; the committee reports findings to the board and may provide follow-up.
Provides immunity for committee members, staff, and contracting entities when acting within the scope of duties; allows contracted nonprofits or medical associations to have immunity as well.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling, wellness program and committee established