HB117 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt SimpsonRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Sunset Law; Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy continued with modification until October 1, 2027

Summary

HB117 extends the Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy to Oct 1, 2027 and adds rules to diversify and geographically distribute its membership.

What This Bill Does

The bill continues the board and its authority through October 1, 2027 with modifications. It changes board composition to five members: one public member, one MFT educator, and three practicing MFTs, with governor-appointed members chosen to reflect statewide diversity. Starting June 1, 2025, no two board members may reside in the same congressional district. For vacancies, the governor selects from two candidates provided by the Alabama Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, for a five-year term, with unexpired-term vacancies filled similarly within 30 days. Members have a five-year term, may not be reappointed for three years after their term, and may be removed only for specified causes with due-process protections; conflicts of interest are forbidden from participating in related matters.

Who It Affects

• Public: gains a board seat as the public member and benefits from diversity requirements.
• Licensed marriage and family therapists: three practitioner seats on the board and the appointment process involving professional input.
• MFT educators: one educator seat on the board and involvement in the candidate submission process.
• The Alabama Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: required to submit two qualified candidates for each vacancy before Governor appointment.
• The Governor and state government: responsible for appointments, removals, and enforcing term limits and conflict-of-interest rules.

Key Provisions

• Continuance of the Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy until October 1, 2027 with modifications.
• Amendment of Section 34-17A-6 to create a five-member board (1 public, 1 educator, 3 practicing therapists) appointed by the Governor, with diversity considerations and no two members residing in the same congressional district beginning June 1, 2025.
• Governor shall appoint from two candidates provided by the Alabama Association for Marriage and Family Therapy for each vacancy to a five-year term; unexpired-term vacancies filled from two candidates within 30 days.
• Board members serve five-year terms and are ineligible for reappointment for three years after term completion; removal requires cause with a public hearing and notice; members cannot participate in matters where they have a conflict of interest.

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