SB208 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Keith KelleySenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Interstate Compact -Social Work Examiners

Summary

SB208 would let Alabama join the Social Work Licensure Compact to standardize licensing and allow social workers to practice across member states with a multistate license.

What This Bill Does

It adds Article 4 to Chapter 30 of Title 34 to authorize Alabama to participate in the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission, a group that coordinates licensing across member states. It creates a system for issuing multistate licenses that let social workers practice in all member states, while home-state licensing standards determine eligibility and ongoing requirements. It establishes a shared data system, rules, and enforcement processes so adverse actions and licensing information can be exchanged and used to protect the public. It sets education, exam, and supervised-practice requirements for different license categories (bachelor's, master's, clinical) and provides mechanisms for telehealth and for military families.

Who It Affects

• Licensed social workers in Alabama, who would obtain a multistate license through their home state and gain the ability to practice in other member states.
• Alabama clients and communities, who would benefit from greater access to social work services and standardized professional rules across states.
• The Alabama Board of Social Work Examiners and other licensing authorities, which would participate in the compact, share information, and enforce rules.
• Active-duty military members and their families, who would designate a home state for licensing and maintain portability during service.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes Alabama to adopt Article 4 (Social Work Licensure Compact) to facilitate interstate licensing and practice.
• Creates the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission as a joint state agency that administers the compact and coordinates with member states.
• Allows a multistate license issued by a home state to authorize practice in all member states, with enforcement powers and adverse-action reporting shared among states.
• Sets eligibility requirements for multistate licenses across bachelor’s, master’s, and clinical categories, including active home-state license, exams, degrees, supervised practice hours, and fingerprints for background checks.
• Establishes a uniform data system for licensee information, adverse actions, and current significant investigative information, and requires notification of adverse actions among member states.
• Provides for rulemaking, dispute resolution, and enforcement, including potential suspension/termination of participation and appeals; includes open meetings and annual reporting.
• Includes telehealth provisions to expand access to services, and special provisions for military families including home-state designation.
• Effective date: October 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