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Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama Renames Behavior Analyst Board to Advisory Council Under Department of Mental Health
Last action · March 3, 2026: EnactedSponsor: Chris Elliott
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What This Bill Does
This act continues the existence of the Alabama Behavior Analyst Licensing Board, renames it the Alabama Behavior Analyst Advisory Council, and transfers its regulatory authority and property to the Department of Mental Health. Licensed behavior analysts and assistant analysts must now submit applications, fees, and criminal background checks directly to the Mental Health Commissioner. The law takes effect immediately.
Licensed behavior analysts and applicants must now navigate regulatory oversight, license renewals, and disciplinary proceedings through the Department of Mental Health rather than the former independent board, with all licensing fees directed to a renamed state treasury fund.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Licensed behavior analysts
Regulatory authority over their profession is transferred to the Department of Mental Health, and license applications and renewals are now processed through the department.
Department of Mental Health
Assumes regulatory, administrative, and investigative authority over behavior analysts and manages the advisory council fund.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who now oversees the licensing of behavior analysts in Alabama?
What are the penalties for practicing behavior analysis without a license?
How long is a behavior analyst license valid before renewal?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Became law.
Procedural history
26 actions- Mar 3, 2026SenateEnrolledEnacted
- Feb 24, 2026HouseSignature Requested
- Feb 24, 2026SenateEnrolledDelivered to Governor
- Feb 20, 2026SenateEnrolled
- Feb 20, 2026SenateReady to Enroll
- Feb 19, 2026SenateReady to Enroll
Show 20 earlier actions
- Feb 19, 2026SenateConcur In House Amendment
- Feb 19, 2026HouseBrinyark and Clarke intended to vote "Yea"
- Feb 19, 2026HouseFloorMotion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 488
- Feb 19, 2026HouseMotion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 487
- Feb 19, 2026HouseBrinyark intended to vote "Yea"
- Feb 19, 2026HouseHulsey 1st Amendment Offered
- Feb 19, 2026HouseThird Reading in Second House
- Feb 12, 2026HouseRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Feb 11, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee Second House
- Feb 5, 2026HouseCommitteePending Committee Action in Second House
- Feb 5, 2026HouseIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Boards, Agencies and Commissions
- Feb 5, 2026SenateEngrossed
- Feb 5, 2026SenateFloorMotion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 276
- Feb 5, 2026SenateElliott motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 275
- Feb 5, 2026SenateElliott 1st Substitute Offered
- Feb 5, 2026SenateThird Reading in House of Origin
- Jan 14, 2026SenateRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Jan 14, 2026SenateCommitteeReported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 13, 2026SenateCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
- Jan 13, 2026SenateIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Transfer of Standalone Board to Departmental Oversight
The legislation dissolves the independent operational structure of the Behavior Analyst Licensing Board by placing its functions entirely under the Department of Mental Health.
Connected Entities
Sources
alison.legislature.state.al.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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