Senate Bill 113 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris ElliottSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Behavior Analyst Licensing Board, continued under Sunset Law as Behavior Analyst Advisory Board under Department of Mental Health

Summary

SB113 moves the Alabama Behavior Analyst Licensing Board under the Department of Mental Health as the Alabama Behavior Analyst Advisory Council and broadens licensing, oversight, and discipline of behavior analysts.

What This Bill Does

The bill renames and relocates the regulatory board as an advisory council within the Department of Mental Health and gives the department regulatory authority over licensed behavior analysts and licensed assistant behavior analysts. It creates a seven-member advisory council to advise the department on behavior analysis and to oversee duties related to licensing, compliance, and public protection. It establishes licensing processes, background checks, reciprocity, temporary licenses, and 2-year renewals, along with a disciplinary system for violations and a complaint process. It transfers all rights, records, and property from the former board to the department and repeals the former Sunset Law provisions that applied to the board.

Who It Affects

• Licensed behavior analysts and licensed assistant behavior analysts in Alabama, who will be regulated and licensed under the Advisory Council and subject to oversight, renewal, background checks, supervision requirements, and discipline.
• The general public and clients who receive behavior analysis services, who are protected by regulatory oversight, complaint processes, and enforcement actions to ensure safe and ethical practice.

Key Provisions

• Rename and relocate: the Alabama Behavior Analyst Licensing Board becomes the Alabama Behavior Analyst Advisory Council within the Department of Mental Health, with regulatory authority over licensed analysts.
• Advisory Council composition and appointments: seven members (four licensed analysts, one licensed psychologist, one parent/guardian, one public member); terms three years; Governor and Mental Health Commissioner appoint; initial members are board-certified analysts.
• Transfer and rules: all rights, records, and property transfer to the department; former rules continue as council rules until amended; repeal of Section 34-5A-8 the Sunset provision for the former board.
• Licensing and credentials: applicants must pass background checks; maintain active status with national boards; reciprocity for out-of-state licenses; temporary licenses for defined periods; two-year licenses with renewal.
• Discipline and enforcement: grounds for discipline include criminal convictions, ethical/code violations, and fraud; summary suspensions for imminent danger; due process hearings; cease-and-desist orders and fines.
• Public protection and funding: the department provides administrative, legal, space, IT, and staff support; creates the Alabama Behavior Analyst Advisory Council Fund to support operations.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Occupational Licensing Boards