SB102 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Bill, program created

Summary

SB102 would create the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences, a state-funded residential high school in Demopolis to train Alabama students in healthcare sciences and help address the state's healthcare workforce shortage.

What This Bill Does

Creates a residential high school in Demopolis focused on STEMM and healthcare sciences. It would be governed by a 19-member board and could open in Fall 2026, with funding from the state and from grants and private contributions. The school would coordinate with the Department of Education but operate independently of the state superintendent and the state board, except for the board's policies. It would set admissions, offer certificates and diplomas in addition to a high school diploma, and provide summer programs and extension courses along with extracurricular activities.

Who It Affects

• Alabama high school students who are academically and professionally motivated in STEMM and healthcare fields, who could attend the residential school and earn certificates or diplomas in addition to their high school diploma.
• Public schools, teachers, and administrators in Alabama, which would collaborate with the school through the Department of Education and receive curriculum extensions, professional development, and related opportunities.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences as a residential institution in Demopolis, opening in Fall 2026, funded by state appropriations and private gifts and grants.
• Board of trustees has 19 members: ex officio members including education and health leaders, university presidents, a representative from the Alabama Community College System, a foundation chair, legislative committee chairs, and eight Governor appointees from congressional districts plus one Marengo County resident; terms are set to be staggered with limits on consecutive terms.
• Board powers include accepting donations, buying or leasing property, entering into contracts, adopting rules and policies, and awarding certificates and diplomas in addition to the state high school diploma.
• The board appoints a president who will be the school’s chief executive; until then the state superintendent acts as chief administrative officer for the board.
• The school will set admissions criteria to ensure at least one qualified applicant from each state senate district; if a district cannot provide a qualified applicant, its slots are reallocated to other districts; additional admissions may be allowed if resources permit.
• Programs and curriculum will be coordinated with the Department of Education but the school operates independently of the superintendent, state board, and local boards except for the board’s authority.
• The school will offer summer programs, extension courses, and may operate extension campuses at other state campuses; extracurricular activities will be provided similar to public schools.
• The school will interact with the Department of Education to help teachers statewide through workshops and career discussions in healthcare sciences.
• Textbooks and instructional materials for the school will be selected by the board; whenever possible, materials will align with textbooks adopted by the state board.
• The act allows accepting federal funds and private contributions and clarifies not to conflict with existing Alabama schools such as the Math and Science School, Fine Arts School, and Cyber Technology and Engineering School.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

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