AL
Alabama Senate Bill SB102

Alabama 2024 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Bill SB102 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.
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33 SB102
44 9TDTMPB-1
55 By Senators Singleton, Allen, Reed, Smitherman,
66 Coleman-Madison
77 RFD: Finance and Taxation Education
88 First Read: 14-Feb-24
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1414 6 9TDTMPB-1 02/13/2024 EBO-DHC EBO JT EBO-2024-20
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1616 First Read: 14-Feb-24
1717 SYNOPSIS:
1818 This bill creates a program known as the Alabama
1919 School of Healthcare Sciences in Demopolis, Alabama;
2020 provides legislative intent; provides definitions;
2121 provides for the membership, powers, compensation, and
2222 terms of a board of trustees; provides for programs and
2323 the operation of the school; provides for
2424 extracurricular activities; and prescribes eligibility
2525 requirements.
2626 A BILL
2727 TO BE ENTITLED
2828 AN ACT
2929 To create a program known as the Alabama School of
3030 Healthcare Sciences in Demopolis, Alabama; to provide
3131 legislative intent; to provide definitions; to provide for the
3232 membership, powers, compensation, and terms of a board of
3333 trustees; to provide for programs and the operation of the
3434 school; to provide for extracurricular activities; and to
3535 prescribe eligibility requirements.
3636 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
3737 Section 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to
3838 establish an independent, state-wide, residential school for
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6868 establish an independent, state-wide, residential school for
6969 academically and professionally motivated Alabama students
7070 with educational opportunities and experiences in science,
7171 technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM) and in the
7272 healthcare sciences to address the chronic healthcare
7373 workforce shortage in Alabama.
7474 Section 2. For the purposes of this act, the following
7575 terms shall have the following meanings:
7676 (1) DEPARTMENT. The State Department of Education.
7777 (2) SCHOOL. The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences.
7878 (3) STATE BOARD. The State Board of Education.
7979 (4) SUPERINTENDENT. The State Superintendent of
8080 Education.
8181 Section 3. (a) There is created a program to be called
8282 the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences, which shall be a
8383 residential institution located in Demopolis in Marengo
8484 County, at a site to be determined by the board of trustees.
8585 The school may open and formally begin operation with the fall
8686 semester of 2026. The school shall be funded by the state from
8787 monies appropriated for the school and grants, donations, and
8888 funds from any other source including, but not limited to,
8989 corporations, individuals, and foundations.
9090 (b) The school shall be governed by a board of trustees
9191 whose membership, powers, duties, and responsibilities shall
9292 be as provided in this act.
9393 (c) The school shall coordinate its programs and
9494 curriculum with the department, but shall be independent of
9595 the control of the superintendent, the state board, and any
9696 local board of education except its board of trustees, unless
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126126 local board of education except its board of trustees, unless
127127 otherwise provided by this act.
128128 Section 4. (a) There is created a board of trustees for
129129 the school. The board of trustees shall be composed of the
130130 following members:
131131 (1) An assistant state superintendent in charge of
132132 curriculum development with the department, or his or her
133133 designee.
134134 (2) The Chief Executive Officer of Whitfield Regional
135135 Hospital, or his or her designee.
136136 (3) The Chief Executive Officer of the Alabama Hospital
137137 Association, or his or her designee.
138138 (4) The President of the University of West Alabama, or
139139 his or her designee.
140140 (5) The President of the University of South Alabama,
141141 or his or her designee.
142142 (6) The President of the University of Alabama at
143143 Birmingham, or his or her designee.
144144 (7) The President of Auburn University, or his or her
145145 designee.
146146 (8) The Chancellor of the Alabama Community College
147147 System, or his or her designee.
148148 (9) The Chair of the Alabama School of Healthcare
149149 Sciences Foundation Board of Directors.
150150 (10) The Chair of the House Ways and Means Education
151151 Committee, or his or her designee.
152152 (11) The Chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation
153153 Education Committee, or his or her designee.
154154 (12) Eight members to be appointed by the Governor, one
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184184 (12) Eight members to be appointed by the Governor, one
185185 member from each congressional district and one member
186186 appointed at large, who shall be a resident of Marengo County.
187187 Five of the eight members appointed by the Governor shall have
188188 a background in healthcare, public health, or healthcare
189189 administration. The other three members appointed by the
190190 Governor may include appointees with backgrounds in academia,
191191 government, business, or other career fields that provide a
192192 strong basis for service. The Governor shall make his or her
193193 appointments so that diversity of gender, race, and
194194 geographical areas is reflective of the makeup of this state.
195195 (b) The terms of the eight members appointed by the
196196 Governor shall be for six years, except for original
197197 appointees who shall serve staggered terms with three
198198 appointees serving two years, three appointees serving four
199199 years, and two appointees serving six years. The terms of the
200200 initial members who are elected officials, or their respective
201201 designees, shall commence with their appointment, run
202202 concurrently with their terms of office, and shall end when
203203 their successors take office. The terms of members who are not
204204 serving by virtue of an elected office shall commence with
205205 their appointment and shall end when their successor is
206206 appointed. All members may succeed themselves. No member shall
207207 be appointed for more than three consecutive full terms.
208208 Section 5. (a) The board of trustees may perform the
209209 following functions:
210210 (1) Accept donations, bequests, or other forms of
211211 financial assistance for educational purposes from any public
212212 or private person or agency and comply with rules and
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242242 or private person or agency and comply with rules and
243243 regulations governing grants from the federal government or
244244 from any other person or agency, which are not in
245245 contravention of the constitution and laws.
246246 (2) Purchase or lease real estate and equipment and
247247 make improvements to facilities necessary for the use of the
248248 school, in accordance with applicable law.
249249 (3) Lease land or other property belonging to the board
250250 of trustees or to the school.
251251 (4) Sell or exchange land or other real property not
252252 needed for school purposes, but only when specifically
253253 authorized by law and then only in accordance with the
254254 procedures provided for the sale of unused school lands. The
255255 sale shall be authorized by resolution adopted by the board of
256256 trustees, and the act of sale shall be signed by the president
257257 of the board of trustees or such other person to whom the
258258 signing may be delegated by the board of trustees in the
259259 authorizing resolution.
260260 (5) Adopt, amend, or repeal rules, regulations, and
261261 policies necessary or proper for the conduct of the business
262262 of the board of trustees.
263263 (6) Award certificates and issue diplomas for
264264 successful completion of programs of study. All certificates
265265 and diplomas shall be in addition to a regular high school
266266 diploma, which shall be issued by the state board in
267267 accordance with state law to any student who successfully
268268 completes the program of study adopted by the board of
269269 trustees.
270270 (7) Enter into contracts and agreements which have been
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300300 (7) Enter into contracts and agreements which have been
301301 recommended by the president of school, in accordance with
302302 applicable law, and to the extent that funds are specifically
303303 appropriated therefor, with other public agencies with respect
304304 to cooperative enterprises and undertakings related to or
305305 associated with an educational purpose or program affecting
306306 education in the school. This shall not preclude the board of
307307 trustees from entering into other contracts and agreements
308308 that the board of trustees may deem necessary to carry out the
309309 duties and functions of the board of trustees.
310310 (8) Perform such other functions as are necessary to
311311 the supervision and control of those phases of education under
312312 the board of trustees.
313313 (b) The board of trustees shall delegate to the
314314 president of school those powers and duties the board of
315315 trustees deems appropriate to aid the president of school in
316316 the efficient administration of his or her responsibility for
317317 the implementation of the policies of the board of trustees.
318318 (c) In addition to the authorities granted in this act
319319 and any powers, duties, and responsibilities vested by any
320320 other applicable laws, the board of trustees shall perform all
321321 of the following duties:
322322 (1) Adopt rules, regulations, and policies necessary
323323 for the efficient operation of the school.
324324 (2) Establish criteria to be used in determining
325325 eligibility of applicants for enrollment.
326326 (3) Approve subjects and extracurricular activities to
327327 be offered. Subjects shall initially be subject to approval by
328328 the state board, and thereafter, changes in the subjects shall
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358358 the state board, and thereafter, changes in the subjects shall
359359 be subject to approval by the state board.
360360 (4) Select a president of school who shall be the chief
361361 executive officer of the school and who shall administer the
362362 rules, regulations, and policies adopted by the board of
363363 trustees pursuant to this act. The president of school shall
364364 also be the chief administrative officer of the board of
365365 trustees and shall be responsible for all the administrative
366366 functions, duties, and needs of the board of trustees. Until
367367 such time as the board of trustees selects a president of
368368 school, the superintendent shall serve as the chief
369369 administrative officer of the board of trustees and shall be
370370 responsible for the duties of the president of school as they
371371 relate to the board of trustees. The superintendent shall
372372 relinquish administrative duties provided to the board of
373373 trustees to the president of school when the president of
374374 school officially assumes his or her duties with the board of
375375 trustees.
376376 (5) Oversee the staffing plan development and
377377 implementation necessary for the efficient operation of the
378378 school.
379379 (6) Prepare and adopt an annual budget necessary for
380380 the continued operation of the school.
381381 (7) Pay the expenses, per diem, and travel expenses of
382382 the board of trustees and its members, which shall be the same
383383 as allowed state employees when the board member is traveling
384384 on board business. The board shall also pay the salaries and
385385 expenses including, but not limited to, facilities, equipment,
386386 and supplies of the administration, faculty, and staff of the
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416416 and supplies of the administration, faculty, and staff of the
417417 school out of funds appropriated or otherwise made available
418418 for the operating and administrative expenses of the board of
419419 trustees and the school.
420420 (8) Exercise budgetary responsibility and allocate for
421421 expenditure by the school and programs under its jurisdiction
422422 all monies appropriated or otherwise made available for
423423 purposes of the board of trustees and of the school and
424424 programs.
425425 (9) Oversee selection and use in the school free
426426 textbooks and other materials of instruction for students
427427 enrolled in the school and programs under its jurisdiction for
428428 which the Legislature provides funds. Wherever practical, the
429429 school shall select and the board of trustees approve the same
430430 textbooks and other materials of instruction as are adopted by
431431 the state board.
432432 (10) Prepare and adopt or approve programs of study and
433433 rules, bylaws, and regulations for the discipline of students
434434 and for the government of the school and programs under its
435435 jurisdiction, which may not be inconsistent with the law and
436436 which shall be enforced by the administration, staff, and
437437 faculty of the school. Programs of study shall initially be
438438 subject to approval by the state board, and thereafter, any
439439 changes in programs of study shall be subject to approval by
440440 the state board.
441441 (11) Any provision of law to the contrary
442442 notwithstanding, prescribe the qualifications of educators at
443443 the school, provided that any educator employed at the school,
444444 who does not hold certification, shall hold an advanced
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474474 who does not hold certification, shall hold an advanced
475475 degree, or be acknowledged by the board of trustees as an
476476 expert, in his or her field of instruction.
477477 (12) Develop and adopt a formula or system under which
478478 students shall be admitted. The formula or system shall be
479479 sufficient to ensure that at least one qualified applicant for
480480 admission from within the geographical boundaries of each
481481 state senate district shall be eligible for admission to the
482482 school each year. If no qualified applicant from a state
483483 senate district applies for admission, then the slots
484484 available to that senate district shall be lost to that senate
485485 district for that school year and shall be reallocated by the
486486 board of trustees to provide for the admission of qualified
487487 applicants from other senate districts. Any provision of this
488488 subdivision to the contrary notwithstanding, the board of
489489 trustees shall admit additional students, utilizing admission
490490 criteria provided by the adopted formula or system and as
491491 resources and facilities allow, by also taking into
492492 consideration the enrollment size of the city or county public
493493 school systems in the state senate district of the student
494494 applicant.
495495 (13) Work with the Alabama Department of Education to
496496 assist teachers, administrators, and superintendents across
497497 the state to extend elements of the school’s curriculum and
498498 other offerings to schools and programs across Alabama.
499499 Assistance shall include, but not be limited to, workshops,
500500 career conversations, and fostering communities of practice in
501501 the areas of healthcare sciences.
502502 (14) Adopt rules and regulations to provide for the
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532532 (14) Adopt rules and regulations to provide for the
533533 evaluation of any applicant who has not been evaluated but who
534534 satisfies all other criteria for participation in the program.
535535 (d) A majority of actively serving members of the board
536536 of trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
537537 business, and all official action of the board of trustees
538538 shall require the favorable vote of a majority of those
539539 members present and voting. Members may participate by means
540540 of telephone conference, video conference, or by similar
541541 communications equipment so that all individuals participating
542542 in the meeting may hear each other at the same time.
543543 Participation by these means shall constitute presence in
544544 person at a meeting for all purposes, including the
545545 establishment of a quorum.
546546 (e) Members of the board of trustees shall be
547547 compensated for all actual vouchered expenses incurred in the
548548 performance of their duties and functions as required by this
549549 act. Expenses shall be paid by the president of school from
550550 funds appropriated therefor by the Legislature and upon the
551551 warrant of the board of trustees.
552552 (f) The board of trustees shall serve as the local
553553 educational agency for the school.
554554 Section 6. (a) The school, at the discretion of the
555555 board of trustees, shall operate on the same school year basis
556556 as all other public schools in the state. Full-time students
557557 shall be enrolled for the entire school year and may enroll in
558558 the summer program.
559559 (b) A summer program may be offered for full-time
560560 students and for students who qualify to attend the school
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590590 students and for students who qualify to attend the school
591591 during that period.
592592 (c) The school may also offer short courses, workshops,
593593 seminars, weekend instructional programs, and other innovative
594594 programs, which may be used to offer instruction to students
595595 not enrolled as full-time students in the school.
596596 (d) The school, at the discretion of the board of
597597 trustees, may provide extension courses and campuses on the
598598 campuses of other schools, colleges, and universities within
599599 the state.
600600 Section 7. Whenever possible, the school may offer such
601601 extracurricular activities as may be found in any public
602602 secondary school in the state.
603603 Section 8. Nothing in this act shall be so construed as
604604 to prohibit or prevent the board of trustees from accepting
605605 federal funds or monies from any corporation or other private
606606 contributor for use in operating the school or providing
607607 programs by the school.
608608 Section 9. It is not the intent of this Legislature to
609609 conflict with existing or future programs of the Alabama High
610610 School of Mathematics and Science, Chapter 26A of Title 16,
611611 Code of Alabama 1975, the Alabama School of Fine Arts, Chapter
612612 26B of Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975, or the Alabama School
613613 of Cyber Technology and Engineering, Chapter 26D of Title 16,
614614 Code of Alabama 1975.
615615 Section 10. This act shall become effective on the
616616 first day of the third month following its passage and
617617 approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.
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