SB128 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tim MelsonSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Public Health Department State Board of Health, entity abolished and duties transferred to State Committee of Public Health; membership of committee revised; State Health Officer duties and qualifications revised
Summary: SB128 abolishes the State Board of Health and moves its duties to a revised State Committee of Public Health, overhauls membership and oversight of the State Health Officer, and adds Governor-approved emergency-rule controls.
What This Bill Does
It abolishes the State Board of Health and designates the State Committee of Public Health as the public health authority. It changes who sits on the committee over time (starting 2025) to include physicians from various groups and the chairs of four health councils, plus the Governor and certain state officials. It sets minimum qualifications for the State Health Officer, creates a process for review and possible disciplinary action by the committee (including removal), and requires Governor approval for certain emergency rules with filing in the Secretary of State. It also prohibits requiring residents to be vaccinated and directs the committee to adopt rules to promote public health, while the State Health Officer continues to oversee county health systems and report on health outbreaks.

Who It Affects
Physicians and medical organizations in Alabama, who will be appointed to the State Committee of Public Health under new membership rules and must meet license requirements; the committee’s leadership and governance roles shift accordingly.
General Alabama residents, who will be affected by how public health rules are made and enforced, including the need for Governor approval of emergency rules and the prohibition on mandates for vaccination.

Key Provisions
Abolish the State Board of Health; transfer all duties to the State Committee of Public Health, which will act as the Board.
Redefine State Committee of Public Health membership over time: 2025 composition with physicians from multiple groups and the chairs of four health councils; 2026 additions including additional physician groups; 2027 further expanded membership including minority physician representation and additional medical organizations.
Establish minimum qualifications for State Health Officer (licensed in Alabama, bonding requirement, salary and reporting structure; officer acts as ex officio secretary with no vote).
Create a mechanism for review and possible disciplinary action against the State Health Officer by the committee, including removal, initiated by top state officials.
Require Governor approval for certain emergency rules, orders, or directives and filing with the Secretary of State before they take effect; individualized orders remain possible but vaccination cannot be mandated.
Monthly meetings of the committee with quorum rules and per diem/travel reimbursements for members.
State Health Officer to supervise county boards and report outbreaks and health conditions to the Governor and Legislature.

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