HB163 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cynthia Lee AlmondAlabama Public Service Commission
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Bill
Summary: The bill creates the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences, a state-run, residential high school in Demopolis focused on STEMM and healthcare, with its own board and new programs to address Alabama's healthcare workforce needs.
What This Bill Does
It establishes a residential school in Demopolis to begin operating potentially in Fall 2026, funded by state money and private gifts. It creates a 15-member board of trustees with both ex officio and governor-appointed members, including residency requirements and healthcare background representation, and assigns them broad governance and financial powers. The school can issue certificates and diplomas in addition to the regular high school diploma, may own or lease property, hire a president, enter contracts, and coordinate with the Department of Education while remaining independent from direct control by the superintendent or state board. It sets enrollment rules, requires a district-based admissions formula to ensure at least one qualified applicant from each state senate district (with slot reallocation if a district has no qualified applicants), and requires collaboration with the Alabama Department of Education to extend its curriculum to other schools; it may accept federal funds and private contributions.

Who It Affects
Alabama high school students from across the state who are academically and professionally motivated to pursue STEMM and healthcare sciences and may attend the new school if admitted under the board's criteria.
Public and private organizations involved in governance, funding, and operation of the school (including the Department of Education, the board of trustees, Alabama universities, hospitals and healthcare associations, the ASHS Foundation, and Marengo County residents for certain governor-appointed seats).

Key Provisions
Establishes the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences as a state residential school in Demopolis, with funding from state appropriations and private sources; may begin operation in Fall 2026.
Creates a 15-member board of trustees with specified ex officio members, eight governor appointments (five with healthcare/public health backgrounds) and residency requirements in Marengo County for some members; includes term limits and diversity considerations; board can meet and act with a quorum.
Board powers include accepting donations, purchasing/leasing property, entering contracts, adopting rules and policies, awarding certificates and diplomas in addition to the regular high school diploma, and serving as the school's local educational agency.
Requires the board to establish enrollment criteria, approve subjects and extracurricular activities, select the school president, manage budget and staffing, provide textbooks and instructional materials, and oversee student discipline and governance of the school.
Implements an admission formula ensuring at least one qualified applicant from each state senate district; slots not filled by a district may be reallocated to other districts, with potential additional admissions as resources allow; the formula may consider city/county enrollment sizes in district planning.
Requires collaboration with the Alabama Department of Education to extend the school’s curriculum and offerings to other schools, including workshops and career conversations; the school may offer summer programs, extension courses, and campuses on other state higher education sites.
Not intended to conflict with existing state programs (e.g., Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, Alabama School of Fine Arts, Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering) and may accept federal funds and private contributions.

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