SB148 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Sunset Law; Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy continued until October 1, 2028, with modification to delete nonexistent nominating entities.

Summary

SB148 renews the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy through October 1, 2028 and changes how its six members are chosen and who can nominate them.

What This Bill Does

It keeps the board in existence until 2028 and updates who can nominate its members. The board will have six governor-appointed members: three respiratory therapists, one hospital representative, one physician, and one consumer. Nominations come from specific associations: respiratory therapists from the Alabama Society for Respiratory Care (two names per seat), the hospital seat from the Alabama Hospital Association (two names), the physician seat from the Medical Association of the State of Alabama (two names), and the consumer seat from several patient/advocacy groups (one name from each). Respiratory therapists must be NBRC registered or certified, with initial seats open to those eligible to license under the chapter and subsequent seats to state-licensed therapists. The physician and hospital seats have professional licensing and association membership requirements, and the consumer seat is filled by nominees from listed groups. The bill also emphasizes Alabama residency, diversity, term lengths, meeting rules, and board funding and stipends.

Who It Affects

• Respiratory therapists in Alabama, who will be eligible for board seats and must meet licensing requirements (initially NBRC-registered/certified, then state-licensed).
• Hospitals, physicians, and patient/advocacy organizations that nominate board members and participate in the appointment process, along with the general Alabama public who benefit from a formally governed respiratory therapy board.

Key Provisions

• Continuance of the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy until October 1, 2028, with modification to replace references to nonexistent nominating agencies.
• Board composed of six members appointed by the Governor: three respiratory therapists, one hospital representative, one physician, and one consumer.
• Nominations: respiratory therapists from a two-name slate submitted by the Alabama Society for Respiratory Care; hospital member from a two-name slate submitted by the Alabama Hospital Association; physician from a two-name slate submitted by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama; consumer from one name each submitted by four listed associations.
• Qualifications: respiratory therapists must be NBRC registered or certified; initial RTs must be eligible for licensure under the chapter; subsequent RTs must be state-licensed; physician must be licensed in Alabama and belong to specified medical societies; consumer nominee sourced from listed patient/advocacy groups.
• Diversity and residency: all members must be Alabama residents and appointments coordinated to reflect gender, race, and geographic diversity.
• Appointments and terms: Governor to appoint within 90 days of a position becoming available; terms include two-year initial terms for two RTs and the hospital member, four-year terms for one RT and the physician, then four-year terms for all members; no more than three consecutive full terms; vacancies filled like the original appointment.
• Governance and meetings: board elects a chair and vice chair annually; meets at least twice a year; majority of members constitutes a quorum.
• Compensation and funding: members serve without pay but are reimbursed travel and other expenses; a per diem and expense reimbursement are provided; funds come from the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy Fund.
• Effective date: 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