Senate Bill 136 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, when renamed Alabama Massage Advisory Council under the regulatory authority of the Alabama Department of Public Health

Summary

SB136 keeps the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board alive, renames it, and shifts regulatory authority to the Alabama Department of Public Health, with a sunset through October 1, 2026 and new enforcement and education requirements.

What This Bill Does

The bill extends the board’s existence through October 1, 2026, renames it the Alabama Massage Therapy Advisory Council, and places regulatory power over massage therapists, establishments, and schools under the Alabama Department of Public Health. It creates a nine-member advisory council to oversee massage therapy and to advise the department, with defined appointment rules and diversity goals. It sets licensing, school approval, and establishment licensing requirements, requires background checks and continuing education, and establishes a dedicated fund and enforcement tools (including emergency orders and penalties). It also aligns advertising, practice scope, and professional standards, and requires liability insurance to be carried by licensees and establishments.

Who It Affects

• Licensed massage therapists and massage therapy establishments: must obtain and maintain licenses, be employed or contracted through licensed establishments, undergo criminal history background checks, renew licenses biennially, and may be subject to inspections, emergencies orders, and penalties; establishments must carry liability insurance and designate a responsible staff member for compliance.
• Massage therapy schools and instructors: must gain program approval, register every two years, provide instructor qualifications, meet curriculum and accreditation standards, and ensure instructors are licensed or nationally certified; schools must file required documents and update the department on instructor listings.

Key Provisions

• Section 2: Continuation of the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board until October 1, 2026 and preservation of related code sections; renaming and transfer of regulatory authority to the Alabama Department of Public Health.
• Section 3: Definitions and terms updated to reflect the new structure (Board Advisory Council, Department, etc.) and authorization for the department to regulate massage therapists, establishments, and schools; transfer of property and records from the former board to the department.
• Section 5: Creation of the Alabama Massage Therapy Advisory Council with nine members and specified appointment methods; diversity requirements; term lengths; meeting rules; and immunity provisions for council members.
• Section 6-9: Department and council duties including licensing, examination, record-keeping, investigations, rulemaking, and requirements for professional liability insurance; establishment licensing, inspections, and management of advertising and scope of practice.
• Section 11-13: Renewal and continuing education requirements; background checks for license renewals; creation of a dedicated fund for the advisory council; and fee authority for the board department.
• Section 7, 9, 13-14: Enforcement powers including emergency orders to suspend or close establishments, penalties for violations, revival and hearing rights, and procedures for complaints, investigations, and possible court action.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 20, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Occupational Licensing Boards