HB128 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Neil RaffertyRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Sunset Law; Board of Nursing continued with modification until October 1, 2029

Summary

HB128 would continue the Board of Nursing in Alabama until October 1, 2029, with changes to its membership, appointment process, and governance to improve district-based representation and public protection.

What This Bill Does

Keeps the Board of Nursing in operation but sets a new 13-member structure and district-based appointment approach. Establishes specific categories of members (professional nurses, an advanced practice nurse, a nurse anesthetist, licensed practical nurses, and a consumer) and assigns residency by congressional district with remaining seats at-large. Creates a detailed nomination and appointment process to ensure diverse and qualified representation, imposes term limits of up to two four-year terms, and codifies qualifications and duties, including regulatory authority over education, licensing, and practice, and oversight of the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Who It Affects

• Licensed professional nurses, advanced practice nurses, nurse anesthetists, and licensed practical nurses in Alabama, by defining who can serve on the board, how they are chosen, where they must reside, and how long they can serve.
• Consumer interests and the general public, who gain public representation on the board and enhanced public protection through clarified governance, discipline, and licensing oversight.

Key Provisions

• Continuance of the Board of Nursing until October 1, 2029 with modifications to its structure and processes.
• Board composition of 13 members: 6 licensed professional nurses, 1 licensed professional nurse approved for advanced practice, 1 certified registered nurse anesthetist approved for advanced practice, 4 licensed practical nurses, and 1 consumer.
• Residency and district structure: commencing June 1, 2025, one member from each congressional district with remaining members appointed from statewide at-large positions; four-year terms; vacancies filled in the same manner; no more than two consecutive four-year terms.
• Appointment process: seven professional nurse seats appointed from nominees provided by the Board of Nursing Nomination Committee and the Alabama State Nurses Association; at-large nurse anesthetist from nominees provided by the Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists; two licensed practical nurse seats from nominees provided by the Licensed Practical Nurses Association of Alabama; two seats from nominees provided by the Alabama Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses; each list requires at least twice the number of nominees for vacancies.
• Qualifications: nurse members must be U.S. citizens, Alabama residents, graduates of state-approved programs, currently licensed in Alabama, with at least five years’ relevant experience and active engagement; consumer member cannot be a health care worker and serves a four-year term.
• Governance and authority: the board can elect officers, meet regularly, adopt rules, approve education programs, license and renew licenses, regulate practice standards, and oversee related credentialing activities, including student nurse apprenticeships and various nurse support roles.
• Executive officer and staffing: the board appoints an executive officer (not subject to the Merit System) who is a licensed nurse with a master’s degree and substantial nursing administration experience, bonded and salaried as determined, with authority to manage the board’s operations.
• Sunset and compact oversight: the board’s participation in the Nurse Licensure Compact is subject to Sunset Committee review, with legislative concurrence required for continuing participation, and ongoing evaluation under specified triggers.

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