HB615 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kenyatte HassellRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Department of Public Health, certification of community health workers and training programs provided; Community Health Workers Review Board and Program established

Summary

HB615 would create a statewide certification system for community health workers, establish a review board, and set training and enforcement rules in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates the Community Health Worker Certification Act and a certification program within the Alabama Department of Public Health. It defines who a community health worker is and lists core competencies. It requires both academic-based and community-based training to lead to certification and creates registries of certified workers and training programs. It also establishes a Community Health Workers Review Board to advise on standards, sets up a hearing process for violations, and imposes fees; it notes that certification is not required for employment.

Who It Affects

• Community health workers and job seekers who would pursue certification, receive credentialing, and follow the training requirements (with grandfathering options for those practicing before the program); employment is not contingent on certification.
• Training providers and organizations (academic-based programs, community-based programs, statewide CHW associations, and related educational institutions) plus employers and the Alabama Department of Public Health, which would develop, certify, and oversee CHW training programs and maintain certification and training registries.

Key Provisions

• Creates Chapter 7B, known as the Community Health Worker Certification Act, establishing the new Certification Program within the Department of Public Health.
• Defines 'community health worker' and lists 11 core competencies, plus a prohibition on providing direct care or licensed professional services.
• Establishes the Alabama Community Health Worker Certification Program with registries for certified workers and certified training programs; allows grandfathering for pre-existing workers; sets renewal requirements.
• Creates the Community Health Workers Review Board with specified co-chairs, diverse membership, quarterly meetings, administrative support by ADPH, and an annual progress report to the Governor and Legislature.
• Requires certification training to be provided through academic-based programs (in collaboration with education agencies) and community-based programs (in cooperation with a statewide CHW association), with criteria based on core competencies, best practices, and affordability.
• Sets reasonable fees for certification and renewal (original up to $200, renewal up to $150) and establishes rules for denying, granting, suspending, and revoking certifications; outlines due-process hearings and records.
• Authorizes hearings and enforcement of CHW certification actions, including subpoenas, witness fees, and judicial review; requires notices and due process protections.
• Declares that CHW certification is not required for employment, while aiming to improve service quality and accessibility through certification standards.
• Effective date: October 1, 2025.

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

Subjects

Health