HB117ENROLLED
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HB117
F9V35DC-3
By Representatives Simpson, Wilcox
RFD: Boards, Agencies and Commissions
First Read: 04-Feb-25
PFD: 03-Feb-25
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PFD: 03-Feb-25
Enrolled, An Act,
Relating to the Alabama Sunset Law; to continue the
existence and functioning of the Alabama Board of Examiners in
Marriage and Family Therapy until October 1, 2027, with
certain modifications; to amend Section 34-17A-6, Code of
Alabama 1975, to require that no two board members reside in
the same congressional district.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Pursuant to the Alabama Sunset Law, the
Sunset Committee recommends the continuance of the Alabama
Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy until
October 1, 2027, with additional recommendation for statutory
change as set out in Section 3.
Section 2. The existence and functioning of the Alabama
Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy, created and
functioning pursuant to Sections 34-17A-1 to 34-17A-26,
inclusive, Code of Alabama 1975, is continued until October 1,
2027, and those code sections are expressly preserved.
Section 3. Section 34-17A-6, Code of Alabama 1975, is
amended to read as follows:
"ยง34-17A-6
(a) There is created the Alabama Board of Examiners in
Marriage and Family Therapy. The board shall consist of five
members who are citizens residents of this state and appointed
by the Governor. In appointing members to the board, the
Governor shall select those persons whose appointments would
ensure that, to the extent possible, the membership of the
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ensure that, to the extent possible, the membership of the
board reflects the geographic, gender, and racial diversity of
the state as a whole coordinate his or her appointments to
assure the board's membership is inclusive and reflects the
racial gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic
diversity of the state . Commencing on June 1, 2025, as the
terms of the members serving on the board expire, the
membership of the board shall be appointed so that no two
members of the board reside in the same congressional
district. The board shall perform the duties and have the
powers as prescribed and conferred by this chapter. No member
of the board shall be civilly liable for any act performed in
good faith for the performance of his or her duties as a
member of the board.
(b) The professional membership of the board shall be
licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(c) Vacancies on the board shall be filled for the
remainder of the unexpired term. Members of the board shall
serve until their successors are appointed and have qualified.
Board members shall be ineligible for reappointment for a
period of three years following completion of their five-year
term.
(d) Appointments to the board shall be made by the
Governor as provided in this subsection. Not later than
October 1 of each year, the Board of Directors of the Alabama
Association for Marriage and Family Therapy shall submit to
the Governor the names of two qualified candidates for each
position on the board to be vacated by reason of expiration of
a term of office. From the two candidates, the Governor shall
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a term of office. From the two candidates, the Governor shall
appoint one member to serve on the board for a term of five
years. Other vacancies occurring on the board shall be filled
for the unexpired term by appointment of the Governor from two
candidates for each vacancy submitted by the Alabama
Association for Marriage and Family Therapy within 30 days
after the vacancy occurs. Composition of the board shall
consist of one public member, one marriage and family therapy
educator, and three practicing marriage and family therapists.
(e) The Governor may remove a member of the board only
for neglect of duty, malfeasance, or conviction of a felony or
crime of moral turpitude while in office. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no member may be removed until after a public
hearing of the charges against him or her, and at least 30
days' prior written notice to the accused member of the
charges against him or her and of the date fixed for the
hearing. No board member shall participate in any matter
before the board in which he or she has a pecuniary interest,
personal bias, or other similar conflict of interest."
Section 4. The Legislature concurs in the
recommendation of the Sunset Committee as provided in Sections
1, 2, and 3.
Section 5. This act shall become effective on June 1,
2025.
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2025.
________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Representatives
________________________________________________
President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
House of Representatives
I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and
was passed by the House 06-Feb-25.
John Treadwell
Clerk
Senate 08-Apr-25 Passed
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