SB131 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will BarfootSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Alabama Behavior Analyst Licensing Board, continued pursuant to Sunset Law until October 1, 2026; Department of Mental Health required to provide certain services and personnel for operation of board

Summary

SB131 renews and extends the Alabama Behavior Analyst Licensing Board's existence under the Department of Mental Health until October 1, 2026, and requires the department to provide key services and space for its operation.

What This Bill Does

It keeps the board operating within the Department of Mental Health's Division of Developmental Disabilities and extends its sunset date to Oct. 1, 2026. It requires the Department to supply financial and legal services, dedicated office space within the State Autism Coordinator's area, an administrative assistant, IT services, and office furniture and supplies. It also establishes the board's regulatory authority to license, regulate, investigate complaints, and discipline behavior analysts, with a formal process for hearings and enforcement, and creates a dedicated funding source for the board.

Who It Affects

• Licensed behavior analysts and licensed assistant behavior analysts, who will be regulated, licensed, and subject to disciplinary actions by the board.
• Individuals treated for behavioral disorders and their families, who may be affected by licensing standards and board decisions.
• Public officials and state agencies, including the Department of Mental Health and the State Autism Coordinator, which must provide resources and space for the board.
• The general public, represented by the board's public member and through regulatory oversight.

Key Provisions

• Continuance of the Alabama Behavior Analyst Licensing Board within the Department of Mental Health's Division of Developmental Disabilities until October 1, 2026.
• The Department must provide financial services, legal services, dedicated office space within the State Autism Coordinator's office, an administrative assistant, IT services (including dedicated phone lines and email addresses, website maintenance), and necessary office furniture and supplies.
• Board composition of seven members: four licensed behavior analysts, one licensed state psychologist, one parent/guardian of a person treated for a behavior disorder or who has used services from a licensed analyst, and one public member; initial and subsequent appointment rules and diversity considerations.
• Initial board members are board-certified analysts who will become licensed during their initial terms; subsequent appointments by the Governor; vacancies filled by the Governor; terms of three years with staggered starts; no more than two successive terms.
• The board may discipline licensees and, in certain cases, unlicensed individuals, including fines, suspension, revocation, censure, probation, or other measures; includes due process protections and hearings (including a 10-day hearing for summary suspensions).
• Quorum, meeting frequency (at least twice annually), rulemaking authority, and ability to establish fees for implementing the chapter.
• Enforcement tools such as cease-and-desist orders and court enforcement mechanisms for violations of licensing or unlicensed practice.
• Establishment of a separate Alabama Behavior Analyst Licensing Board Fund in the State Treasury to fund board operations, with receipts disbursed by the Comptroller upon chair-approved vouchers.
• Effective date of June 1, 2024.

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

Subjects

Occupational Licensing Boards