Senate Bill 97 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Rural health care; Alabama Health Command established to designate an AI-assisted health platform in rural communities

Summary

SB97 would create the Alabama Health Command to oversee a state-designated, AI-assisted virtual health platform for rural communities.

What This Bill Does

It would establish the Alabama Health Command as an independent agency led by a Governor-appointed director. It would designate a state-headquartered entity to develop a uniform avatar-based AI-assisted health platform that rural hospitals, clinics, and clinicians can use to connect rural residents with care and related services virtually, including wellness education and follow-up. It would set privacy and safety standards, ensure the platform does not replace licensed medical practice, and include guardrails against misinformation. It would also exempt rural hospitals, clinics, and state health institutions that contract to use the platform from certain competitive bid laws.

Who It Affects

• Rural residents of Alabama, who would gain access to AI-assisted virtual health encounters and related services from rural health providers, with privacy protections.
• Rural hospitals, clinics, licensed rural health facilities, and state health institutions that contract to use the platform, which would be able to implement the platform and are exempt from some competitive bid rules.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Health Command as an independent agency with a Governor-appointed director to administer the program.
• Designates a state-headquartered business entity to develop a uniform, interoperable avatar-based AI-assisted health platform for rural communities.
• Requires standards to protect patient privacy, ensure data interoperability and algorithm transparency, and prevent the platform from constituting the practice of medicine or providing misinformation.
• Exempts rural providers and state health institutions that contract to use the platform from competitive bid laws.
• Effective date set for October 1, 2026.

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

Subjects

Health