Senate Bill 112 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris ElliottSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Sunset law; Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board continued with modification until October 1, 2027

Summary

SB112 would continue the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board through October 1, 2027 and move its operations into the Department of Public Health with added staffing and governance changes.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board would continue to exist until October 1, 2027, and starting October 1, 2026 it would become a division within the Alabama Department of Public Health. The Department would provide all necessary administrative services for the board, including financial, legal, office space, staff, information technology, and related supplies. The State Health Officer would have authority to appoint an executive director for the board and to hire outside counsel as needed, and all property of the board would be transferred to the department. The board would continue to regulate massage therapists, massage therapy schools and establishments, and instructors, but under the new governance and funding arrangements described in the bill.

Who It Affects

• Licensed massage therapists, massage therapy schools, massage therapy establishments, and massage therapy instructors in Alabama, who would be regulated by the board within the Department of Public Health and subject to licensing rules and disciplinary actions.
• The Alabama Department of Public Health and the State Health Officer, who would take on administrative duties for the board and oversee staffing, property transfers, and engagement of outside counsel.

Key Provisions

• Continue the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board through October 1, 2027 with modifications, including placing the board as a division within the Department of Public Health.
• Beginning October 1, 2026, the Department of Public Health shall provide all administrative services for the board, such as financial, legal, space, staff, information technology, and supplies.
• The State Health Officer may appoint an executive director for the board and may retain outside counsel; the board’s property and assets shall transfer to the department.
• The board will be composed of nine members with specified appointment methods, diversity requirements, and term lengths, including at-large members with specific qualifications (one with sex trafficking knowledge).
• The board shall be financed only from fees, licenses, other charges, and funds collected by the board, plus Legislature appropriations.
• The board may hire an executive director starting September 30, 2026, and may retain outside counsel as necessary.
• Disciplinary actions against licensees require an affirmative majority vote of the board.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Occupational Licensing Boards