HB123INTRODUCED Page 0 HB123 RJSJYYM-1 By Representatives Underwood, Wilcox RFD: Boards, Agencies and Commissions First Read: 04-Feb-25 PFD: 03-Feb-25 1 2 3 4 5 6 RJSJYYM-1 01/30/2025 PMG (L)ccr 2024-2523 Page 1 PFD: 03-Feb-25 SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, termination dates are established for enumerated state agencies. The agencies are periodically reviewed by the Alabama Sunset Committee. After the review process is completed, the committee prepares its recommendations for the agencies to the Legislature in the form of sunset bills which either continue, terminate, or continue with modification each agency reviewed. This bill would provide for the continuance of the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy until October 1, 2026, with the changes provided in this act. This bill would reconstitute the board, set qualifications for board members, and revise the compensation of board members. This bill would set qualifications for the position of secretary of the board. This bill would revise the board's authority to impose civil penalties, would authorize the board to impose late fees, and would eliminate the board's authority to adopt nondisciplinary administrative penalties. This bill would require the board to divide the office of general counsel of the board into an administrative division and a disciplinary division, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 2 administrative division and a disciplinary division, would provide for separate functions of the divisions, and would prohibit the disclosure of certain information by the administrative division to the disciplinary division in certain circumstances. This bill would require the board to report to the Legislature the status of board rules and require the board to revise its rules to comply with the pharmacy laws, including this act, by a certain date. This bill would also make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style. A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT Relating to the Alabama Sunset Law; to continue the existence and functioning of the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy until October 1, 2026, with certain modifications; to amend Sections 34-23-3, 34-23-8, 34-23-12, 34-23-13, 34-23-30, 34-23-32.2, 34-23-33, 34-23-34, 34-23-52, 34-23-90, 34-23-91, 34-23-92, 34-23-93, and 34-23-131, Code of Alabama 1975; to reconstitute the membership of the board; to revise the compensation of board members and their duties; to provide further for the position of secretary; to eliminate the board's authority to adopt nondisciplinary administrative penalties; to provide further for the board's authorization to 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 3 penalties; to provide further for the board's authorization to discipline pharmacists, pharmacies, and certain other entities; to provide further for the general counsel of the board; to require the board to report on the status of board rules; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style. 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 State Board of Pharmacy until October 1, 2026, with the additional recommendation for statutory change as set out in Section 3. Section 2. The existence and functioning of the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy, created and functioning pursuant to Chapter 23 of Title 34, Code of Alabama 1975, is continued until October 1, 2026, and those code sections are expressly preserved. Section 3. Section 34-23-3, 34-23-8, 34-23-12, 34-23-13, 34-23-30, 34-23-32.2, 34-23-33, 34-23-34, 34-23-52, 34-23-90, 34-23-91, 34-23-92, 34-23-93, and 34-23-131, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows: "§34-23-3 (a) Each state drug investigator employed by the board following the passage of this chapter must furnish satisfactory proof to the board that he or she the investigator is a person an individual of good moral character and that in the judgment of the members of the board , he or she has sufficient knowledge of the laws pertaining to the practice of pharmacy and law enforcement to enable him or her 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 4 practice of pharmacy and law enforcement to enable him or her to carry out his or her the duties as an investigator consistent with this chapter. Each A state drug investigator employed by the board shall must serve an apprenticeship of a minimum of six months working with and under the supervision of the Chief Drug Investigator chief drug investigator or other investigator designated by the board. Each such An investigator, before entering upon his or her duties, shall post with the board a bond in the amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000) conditioned upon the faithful performance of his or her duties. (b) Each A state drug investigator shall have the power to inspect may: (1) Inspect the medicines and drugs or drug products or domestic remedies which that are manufactured, packaged, packed, made, sold, offered for sale, exposed for sale, or kept for sale in this state ;, and for this purpose shall have the right to enter (2) Subject to subsection (c), enter and inspect during business hours any pharmacy or any other place in this state where medicines or drugs or drug products or proprietary medicines are manufactured, packaged, packed, made, sold, offered for sale, or kept for sale, whether or not licensed by the board; and (3) Inspect prescription files, prescription record books, poison registers, exempt narcotic registers, and any other records pertaining to the filling and filing of prescriptions. (c) Each A state drug investigator shall be subject to 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 5 (c) Each A state drug investigator shall be subject to the same restrictions as other law enforcement officers of the law inwith regard to search and seizure. They (d) A state drug investigator shall report to the board all violations of the laws law relating to pharmacy and all rules and regulations of the board. As directed by the board, it shall be the duty of the state drug investigators to issue citations for violations of such laws, rules, or regulations or institute criminal proceedings against persons for such violations. (e) When authorized by the board and where there are specific complaints, the a state drug investigator shall have the right to may inspect all records, shipping tickets, or any other document pertaining to the transfer of drugs or drug preparations, from or to hospitals, pharmacists, wholesale establishments and manufacturers, or any other place or establishment where the preparations of drugs are kept or stored. They shall have the authority to inspect all prescription files, prescription record books, poison registers, exempt narcotic registers, and any other records pertaining to the filling and filing of prescriptions. It shall be the duty of the (f) A state drug investigator to shall take possession of all revoked licenses and permits or suspended licenses and permits, or both, when such licenses and permits are not surrendered voluntarily to the board by the person or pharmacist individual or entity whose license or permit has been revoked or suspended. (g) Nothing in this chapter shall authorize or require 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 6 (g) Nothing in this chapter shall authorize or require the a state drug investigator or state drug investigators to inspect the offices of doctors of medicine physicians who have duly qualified with the State Board of Medical Examiners." "§34-23-8 (a) No person shall dispense or cause to be dispensed a different drug or brand of drug in lieu of that ordered or prescribed without the express permission in each case of the person ordering or prescribing such drug, except as provided below: (1) A licensed pharmacist in this state shall be permitted to select for the brand name drug product prescribed by a licensed physician or other practitioner who is located in this state and authorized by law to write prescriptions, hereinafter referred to as "practitioner," a less expensive pharmaceutically and therapeutically equivalent drug product containing the same active ingredient or ingredients, and of the same dosage form strength, in all cases where the practitioner expressly authorizes such selection in accordance with subdivision (4). (2) A licensed pharmacist located in this state shall be permitted to select for the brand name drug product prescribed by a practitioner who is located in another state or licensing jurisdiction and who is authorized by the laws of that state or jurisdiction to write prescriptions, a less expensive pharmaceutically and therapeutically equivalent drug product containing the same active ingredient or ingredients, and of the same dosage form strength, in all cases where the out-of-state licensed physician or other practitioner does not 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 7 out-of-state licensed physician or other practitioner does not expressly prohibit a substitution. (3) A pharmacist shall record on the prescription form the name and manufacturer or distributor of any drug product dispensed as herein authorized. (4)a. Every written prescription issued in this state by a licensed practitioner shall contain two signature lines. One line shall indicate if the brand name is meant to be dispensed and the other shall indicate if a product selection is permitted. The practitioner shall communicate instructions to the pharmacist by signing on the appropriate line. b. An oral or electronic prescription, including an e-fax, from the practitioner shall instruct the pharmacist whether or not a less expensive pharmaceutically and therapeutically equivalent drug product may be dispensed. The pharmacist shall note instructions on the file copy of the prescription and retain the prescription form for the period specified by law. The State Board of Pharmacy board shall not adopt any rule affecting the subject matter of this subdivision. (5) Unless otherwise indicated by the practitioner, the prescription label on the dispensing container shall indicate the actual drug product dispensed, either the brand name, or if none, the generic name, and the name of the manufacturer or a reasonable abbreviation of the name of the manufacturer. (6)(b)This Subsection (a) shall not be interpreted to exclude the use of a formulary or drug list as adopted and approved by a medical staff in a licensed hospital with drugs provided thereunder by procedures established for use within 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 8 provided thereunder by procedures established for use within that licensed hospital. (7)(c)Any person who violates this section shall be punished byThe board may impose a fine civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ( $1,000) against any person who violates this section." "§34-23-12 (a) When it shall appear to the board that any person who is not licensed under the provisions of this chapter is violating any of the provisions of this chapter, the The board may in its own name bring an action in the circuit court for an injunction, and the court of this state against any person in this state who: (1) Practices pharmacy without a license or permits prescriptions to be compounded or dispensed by a person who is not licensed to practice pharmacy, in violation of Section 34-23-50; or (2) Operates a pharmacy or other entity without a permit, in violation of Section 34-23-30, 34-23-31, or 34-23-32. (b) A court may enjoin any person from violating the provisions of this chapter regardless of whether proceedings have been or may be instituted before the board or whether criminal proceedings have been or may be instituted." "§34-23-13 Any person who shall practice A person who does any of the following, unless a penalty is otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor: (1) Practices pharmacy in this state without having 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 9 (1) Practices pharmacy in this state without having first obtained from the board a license, or who permits from the board. (2) Permits prescriptions to be compounded and/or or dispensed by unauthorized persons .; or who violates any of the provisions of this chapter; or who willfully (3) Willfully violates any published provision of this chapter or rule or regulation of adopted by the board; or who does any act described in this chapter as unlawful, the penalty for which is not herein specifically provided, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by fine of not more than $1,000 for each offense, to be fixed by the court trying the case, and in addition thereto may be, in the discretion of the court trying the case, sentenced to hard labor for the county for a period not to exceed 12 months ." "§34-23-30 (a) Every pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, drugstore, pharmacy department, prescription department, prescription laboratory, apothecary, or and any other establishment entity with a title implying the sale, offering for sale, compounding, or dispensing of drugs, or and any entity providing pharmacy services for patients residing in this state, shall register biennially and receive a permit from the board in accordance with this chapter . Any person desiring to open, operate, maintain, or establish a pharmacy or to establish an entity to provide pharmacy services shall apply to the board for a permit at least 30 days prior to the opening of the business. No pharmacy or entity performing 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 10 opening of the business. No pharmacy or entity performing pharmacy services shall open for the transaction of business until it has been registered, inspected, and a permit issued by the board. (b)(1) The application for a permit shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the board which when properly executed shall indicate the ownership desiring such the permit and the names and license numbers of all licensed pharmacists employed as well as the location of the pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed and other information as the board may require. If more than one pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed is operated by the same owner, a separate application for registration shall be made and a separate permit issued for each such establishment. (2) All permits issued under this section shall become due on October 31 and shall become null and void on December 31 of even-numbered years. Every application for a permit for a new pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed shall be accompanied by a fee to be determinedset by the board, by rule., but the fee shall not be less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200). Every application for a renewal permit shall be accompanied by a fee to be determined by the board, but the fee shall not be less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150). Every application for a permit due to transfer of ownership shall be accompanied by a fee to be determined by the board, but the fee shall not be less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150) nor more than four hundred dollars ($400). Every application for a permit for an 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 11 hundred dollars ($400). Every application for a permit for an out-of-state pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed shall be accompanied by a fee to be determined by the board, but the fee shall not be less than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) nor more than two thousand dollars ($2,000). Every application for a renewal permit for an out-of-state pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed shall be accompanied by a fee to be determined by the board, but the fee shall not be less than four hundred dollars ($400) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750). Each application for the renewal of a permit shall be made on or before October 31 of each even-numbered year, at which time the previous permit shall become null and void on December 31 of even-numbered years. A penalty of twenty-five dollars ($25) for each overdue month shall be assessed in addition to the permit fee for renewal of delinquent permits. (3) The secretary of the board shall issue a permit for each pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed whose application is found to be satisfactory by the board. Permits issued under this section shall not be transferable. Any change in the control of ownership or licensed pharmacists shall be reported to the board in writing within 10 days of such occurrence. If the pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed is owned by a corporation, the permit shall be issued in the name of the corporation. It shall be the duty of the owners Owners of pharmacies or the owners of entities where pharmacy services are performed who are not licensed pharmacists to shall immediately notify the board upon the termination of employment of licensed pharmacists and 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 12 upon the termination of employment of licensed pharmacists and to shall cause the surrender of permits as indicated. The further operation of the pharmacy or entity where pharmacy services are performed in the absence of licensed pharmacists is forbidden; provided, that the nonregistered owner shall have a period of 30 days within which to comply with this subsection. The next of kin of any deceased licensed pharmacist owner shall have a period of 30 days within which to comply with this chapter, during which time no prescriptions shall may be filled unless a licensed pharmacist is on duty. (4) All permits issued under this section shall expire on December 31 of even-numbered years unless the permit holder renews the permit by paying the applicable renewal fee. The renewal fee is due on October 31, and if not received by that date, the board may impose a late fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) for each month the renewal fee is late. If the renewal fee and applicable late fees are not received by December 31, the permit shall be considered delinquent, and the board may suspend the permit or impose an additional delinquency fee, as set by the board, by rule, which may not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). (c) The board, by rule shall set the following fees on the holders of permits issued under this section: (1) For a permit for a resident pharmacy or resident entity that performs pharmacy services, a fee of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200). (2) For a permit renewal, a fee of not less than fifty 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 13 (2) For a permit renewal, a fee of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150). (3) For a transfer of ownership, a fee of not less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150) nor more than four hundred dollars ($400). (4) For a permit for a nonresident pharmacy or nonresident entity that performs pharmacy services, a fee of not less than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) nor more than two thousand dollars ($2,000). (5) For a renewal permit for a nonresident pharmacy or nonresident entity that performs pharmacy services, a fee of not less than four hundred dollars ($400) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750). (d) No mail order pharmacy shall transact business in this state without a permit from the board. (b) (e) Requirements for the grant of authority by the board to any entity providing pharmacy services shall be by board ruleThe board, by rule, shall establish qualifications for any individual or entity providing pharmacy services in the state. (c) (f) Nothing contained in this section related to pharmacy services permits shall be interpreted to delegate to the board the authority to adopt rules governing pharmacy benefit benefits managers. (d) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. " "§34-23-32.2 (a) Any requirements established by the FDA Guidelines in the Drug Quality and Security Act shall be adhered to by 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 14 in the Drug Quality and Security Act shall be adhered to by the affected parties. (b)(1) The board may issue an annual permit to any manufacturer, manufacturer affiliate, bottler, packager, repackager, third party third-party logistic provider, wholesale drug distributor, private label distributor, or pharmacy business identified in the supply chain of any drugs, legend drugs, medicines, chemicals, or poisons for medicinal purposes. (2) The board, by rule, shall establish fees for permits issued under this section and fines for violations of this section not to exceed seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) . In addition, the board, by rule, may establish renewal fees and late fees for failure to renew a permit in a timely manner. Proceeds received by the board from fees levied and fines collected pursuant to this section shall be used by the board to fund the costs of permitting, inspecting, and investigating any business permitted pursuant to this section." "§34-23-33 (a) The board may revoke , or suspend, a license, permit, or certificate or place on probation , or require remediation for or impose a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation against any licensed pharmacist,or a holder of a pharmacy intern or extern certificate,for a specified time as determined by the board and take the same or similar action against the or holder of a permit to operate any pharmacy in this state, whenever the board finds by a preponderance of the evidence, or pursuant to 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 15 board finds by a preponderance of the evidence, or pursuant to a consent decree, that the pharmacist has been guilty of any of the following acts or offenses for any of the following : (1) Obtaining a license, permit, or registration from the board by fraudulent means. (2) Violation of the laws Violating any law regulating the sale or dispensing of narcotics, exempt narcotics, or drugs bearing the label "caution, federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription," or similar wording which causes the drugs to be classified as prescription legend drugs. (3) Conviction of a felony. A copy of the record of the conviction, certified by the clerk of the court entering the conviction, shall be conclusive evidence of the conviction. (4) Conviction of any crime or offense that reflects the inability of the practitioner to practice pharmacy with due regard for the health and safety of the patients. (5) Demonstrated inability Inability to practice pharmacy with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of illness, inebriationintoxication, misuse of drugs, narcotics, alcohol, chemicals, or any other substance, or as a result of any mental or physical condition. When the issue is whether or not a pharmacist is physically or mentally capable of practicing pharmacy with reasonable skill and safety to patients, then, upon a showing of probable cause to the board that the pharmacist is not capable of practicing pharmacy with reasonable skill and safety to patients, the board may require the pharmacist in question to submit to a psychological examination by a psychologist to determine psychological 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 16 examination by a psychologist to determine psychological status or a physical examination by a physician, or both, to determine physical condition. The psychologist or physician, or both, shall be designated by the board. The expense of the examination shall be borne by the board. Where the pharmacist raises the issue of mental or physical competence or appeals a decision regarding his or her mental or physical competence, the pharmacist shall be permitted to obtain his or her own evaluation at the pharmacist's expense. If the objectivity or adequacy of the examination is suspect, the board may complete the examination by the designated practitioners at its own expense. When mental or physical capacity to practice is at issue, every pharmacist licensed to practice pharmacy in the state shall be deemed to have given consent to submit to a mental or physical examination or to any combination of the examinations and to waive all objections to the admissibility of the examination, or to previously adjudicated evidence of mental incompetence. (6) Gross malpractice or repeated malpractice or gross negligence in the practice of pharmacy. (7) Violation of any provisions contained in this chapter. (8) Employing, assisting, or enabling in any manner any unlicensed person to practice pharmacy. (9) The suspension, revocation, or probation by another state of a license to practice pharmacy. A certified copy of the record of suspension, revocation, or probation of the state making such a imposing the suspension, revocation, or probation shall be conclusive evidence of the suspension, 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 17 probation shall be conclusive evidence of the suspension, revocation, or probation. This subdivision does not authorize the board to take any disciplinary action, including imposition of a civil penalty, against any individual or entity that has not been issued a license or permit by the board and has not violated any provision of this chapter. (10) Refusal to appear before the board after having been ordered to do so in writing by the executive officer secretary or chair of the board. (11) Making any fraudulent or untrue statement to the board. (12) Violation of any rule or regulation of the board. (13) Violation of the code of professional conduct adopted by the board in the rules and regulations of the board. (b) The board shall have the authority to adopt rules imposing a non-disciplinary administrative penalty for designated violations of this chapter. " "§34-23-34 No disciplinary action described in Section 34-23-33 relating to the license, registration, certificate, or permit of any person individual or entity regulated by the board may be taken unless a statement of charges and notice of hearing has been served on the person individual or entity at least 30 days before the date fixed for the hearing. The board, at its sole discretion, may serve the statement of charges by personal service or by registered or certified mail or delivery by any recognized delivery or courier service to the address of the person individual or entity in the records of 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 18 address of the person individual or entity in the records of the board. The burden of proof shall be on the board." "§34-23-52 (a)(1) All certificates of licensure shall expire on December 31 of even-numbered years . In order to continue to be licensed, every unless a licensed pharmacist shall pay to the secretary of the board a biennial pays a renewal fee to be determinedin a specified amount set by the board, by rule., but the The fee shall not be less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150). The renewal fee shall be due on October 31 and delinquent after December 31 of even-numbered years, except that holders of life certificates to practice pharmacy previously issued shall not be required to pay a renewal fee. The payment of the renewal fee shall entitle the registrants to renewal of their certificates at the discretion of the board. If any pharmacist fails to pay a the renewal fee on or before the due date, the holder of the certificate may be reinstated as a licensed pharmacist only upon payment of a penalty of ten dollars ($10) for each lapsed month and all lapsed fees, provided and applicable late fees by December 31, the permit shall be considered delinquent, and the board may suspend the permit or impose an additional delinquency fee, as set by the board, by rule, which may not exceed ten dollars ($10) for each lapsed month. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the lapsed time of registration may not exceed five years, in which case reinstatement may occur only upon satisfactory examination by the board. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1), holders of life 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 19 (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1), holders of life certificates to practice pharmacy previously issued shall not be required to pay a renewal fee. (b) In addition to any fee requirements, each pharmacist shall be required to complete continuing education for each renewal period, as determined by the board by rule." "§34-23-90 (a) The Alabama State Board of Pharmacy is created and vested with the authority to carry out the purposes of and enforce this chapter. (b)(1) The Beginning October 1, 2025, the board shall consist of five nine members who are residents of this state . The members of the board shall be licensed pharmacists who have been licensed in this state for a minimum of five years appointed by the Governor in a manner that ensures that each congressional district in the state is represented by a board member who resides in that district during his or her entire term of office. Subject to subdivision (2), membership of the board shall be as follows: a. Five pharmacists licensed by the board, each of whom must have at least seven years experience as a practicing pharmacist and who are actively engaged in the practice of pharmacy or pharmacy administration, or both. b. Two pharmacy technicians licensed by the board who are actively engaged as a pharmacy technician. c. Two additional at-large members, one of whom is a licensed health care professional. (2) Any member serving on the board on October 1, 2025, shall continue to serve until his or her term expires, at 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 20 shall continue to serve until his or her term expires, at which time the Governor shall appoint a member who meets the requirements in subdivision (1). A member serving on the board on October 1, 2025, who meets the requirements of subdivision (1) may be reappointed to an additional term, provided, the reappointment complies with subsection (d). (b) Three members shall be appointed by the Governor. Of the three appointed members, one member shall be engaged in the practice of pharmacy or pharmacy administration, or both, in a hospital, one in an independent pharmacy, and one in a chain pharmacy. On or before August 1, 1996, and each five years thereafter, or whenever a vacancy occurs in the designated position for hospital pharmacists, the Alabama Society of Health System Pharmacists, or its successor organization, shall submit a list of three nominees to the Governor. On or before August 1, 1994, and each five years thereafter, or whenever a vacancy occurs in the designated position for a chain pharmacist, the Alabama Pharmacy Association, or its successor organization, shall submit a list of three nominees to the Governor. On or before August 1, 1997, and each five years thereafter, or whenever a vacancy occurs in the designated position for the independent pharmacist, the independent pharmacist members of the Alabama Pharmacy Association, or its successor organization, shall submit a list of three nominees to the Governor. From the names submitted to the Governor, the Governor shall appoint a replacement on or before December 31 of the same year the nominations are received, for the member or members whose term or terms are expiring. Background information shall be 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 21 or terms are expiring. Background information shall be provided for each nominee for an appointed position. (c)(1) On or before December 1, 1995, and each five years thereafter, and on or before December 1, 1998, and each five years thereafter, or whenever a vacancy occurs in a nondesignated position, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Pharmacy Association, or its successor organization, shall select a committee of five pharmacists who are members of the association to serve as a nominating committee. No member of the nominating committee shall be a candidate. The committee shall receive names of pharmacists actively engaged in pharmacy practice or administration, or both, from companies and individuals, and shall narrow the list of nominees to two names to be placed on a ballot to be voted on by all Alabama pharmacists. (2) The election procedure for a nondesignated slot shall be as follows: Each candidate shall provide a biographical sketch of not more than 150 words, which shall include his or her most recent practice experience. The board shall select a third party to conduct the election and tabulate the ballot results. The election ballots and a biographical sketch of the candidates shall be delivered by the third party to Alabama licensed pharmacists by September 1. The ballot delivery shall be conducted in a secure manner to safeguard organizational data and to ensure the integrity of the voting process. Completed election ballots must be received by the third party no later than October 1 to be tabulated. A pharmacist receiving a majority of the ballots received shall be considered the winner. If a runoff election 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 585 586 587 588 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 22 received shall be considered the winner. If a runoff election is necessary, the runoff ballots shall be delivered to licensed pharmacists by November 1 by the same method of ballot delivery as provided above. Completed runoff election ballots must be received by the third party no later than December 1 to be tabulated. (3) The ballots for each election shall be tabulated by the third party and the results shall be certified and audited by the third party. The results of the tabulation and audit shall be made available to any candidate and to the nominating body upon request. (3) The Governor shall coordinate his or her appointments so that the board membership is inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state. (4) For the four additional members of the board whose term begins October 1, 2025, the Governor shall set staggered terms of two years, three years, and four years, at his or her discretion, with all initial terms ending on December 31 of the respective terms. Following initial terms, each member of the board shall serve a term of five years beginning on January 1 following appointment and terminating on December 31 of his or her fifth year as a member of the board. (d)(c) Any vacancies occurring on the board other than by expiration of term shall be filled by election or appointment only for the unexpired term and shall be filled by the same procedure that the replaced member was elected or appointed by the Governor for the unexpired term . Each member of the board shall serve a term of five years beginning on 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 23 of the board shall serve a term of five years beginning on January 1 following appointment and terminating on December 31 of his or her fifth year as a member of the board. (e)(d) No pharmacist member shall serve more than two full terms consecutively. (f)(e)(1) The Governor , upon recommendation of the board, may remove a member of the board upon proven charges of inefficiency, incompetency, immorality, or professional misconduct. The replacement member shall be elected or appointed by the same procedure that the removed member was elected or appointed Governor for the unexpired term . (2) Appointees to the board, within 30 days after their appointment or election, shall take an oath or make affirmation before a properly qualified officer that he or she will faithfully and impartially perform the duties of his or her office. This oath or affirmation shall be filed with the Secretary of State. (3) At its last regular meeting in each calendar year, the board shall elect for a term of one year, effective the following January 1, a president, a vice-president, and a treasurer who shall be members of the board. No member shall serve more than two years in the same office on the board during a five-year term. (4)a.The Not later than November 1, 2025, the board shall also elect a secretary who shall appoint a secretary as executive officer to the board, to serve at the pleasure of the board. The individual appointed by the board may not have served in any capacity for the board, including as secretary, during the five years prior to his or her appointment. The 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 24 during the five years prior to his or her appointment. The secretary may not serve as a member of the board and may not be employed during the service by any registrant of the board., and the b. The board shall have the authority to fix the amount of the secretary's remuneration. If a board member is selected as secretary, the board member shall resign from the board and a replacement on the board shall be selected by the same procedure by which the resigned member was originally elected or appointed salary. The secretary shall not be employed during the service by any registrant of the board. (g) For the purpose of this section, a chain pharmacy is defined as any retail pharmacy employing in Alabama a minimum of 40 full-time equivalent pharmacists. A chain pharmacist is defined as a pharmacist employed on a full-time basis by a chain pharmacy for a minimum of three years. (h) It is the intent of the Legislature that the composition of the board reflect the demographics of the pharmacy profession. For vacancies occurring after March 18, 2005, the nominating organizations and the appointing authorities shall select those individuals whose appointments assure that the membership of the board is inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of this state. " "§34-23-91 (a) The president of the board shall preside at all of the board's meetings. The vice-president shall preside in the absence or inability of the president. The secretary of the board shall be the executive officer in charge of the board's 645 646 647 648 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 661 662 663 664 665 666 667 668 669 670 671 672 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 25 board shall be the executive officer in charge of the board's office. The secretary shall make, keep, and be in charge of all records and record books required to be kept by the board, including a register containing all information which shall be required under this chapter. The secretary shall attend to the correspondence of the board and perform any other duties the board may require in keeping with the office of secretary. The secretary shall receive and record all fees collected under this chapter and, at regular intervals as ordered by the board, shall pay the fees to the treasurer of the board for its board use. The secretary may have any forms printed and office supplies furnished as necessary to implement this chapter. The secretary and treasurer of the board shall each furnish bond in an amount to be fixed by the board and shall be conditioned upon the faithful performance and discharge of their respective official duties. (b) The While serving on business of the board and from funds of the board, members shall be entitled to a per diem for days when members actually engage in official business of the board, in an amount set by the board, by rule. In addition, members of the board shall be paid the same per diem and travel allowance entitled to actual expenses incurred as is paid by law to state employees while engaged in the performance of the duties official business of the board, in addition to any daily compensation or allowance determined by the board. For purposes of this subsection, attending continuing education classes or otherwise engaging in an activity necessary solely to maintain a member's license to practice pharmacy is not considered official business of the 673 674 675 676 677 678 679 680 681 682 683 684 685 686 687 688 689 690 691 692 693 694 695 696 697 698 699 700 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 26 practice pharmacy is not considered official business of the board. (c) The board shall conduct meetings at least three times annually and more often when deemed necessary for the examination of applicants for licensure and for the transaction of business as may legally come before it. Public notice of all stated meetings shall be given at least 30 days in advance of the meetings. At all meetings of the board, a majority shall constitute a quorum. The members of the board shall determine the place of meetings of the board. (d) The treasurer of the board shall have custody of all funds derived from the various provisions of this chapter. All disbursements shall be made by check as authorized by vouchers signed by the president and secretary of the board. The books and records of the board as made and kept by the secretary or under his or her supervision shall be prima facie evidence of the matter therein recorded in any court." "§34-23-92 The board shall exercise, subject to this chapter, shall do all of the following powers and duties : (1) To adopt Adopt rules concerning the records and reports to be kept and made by a pharmacy relating to the filling of prescriptions and the handling and preservation of drugs. (2) To fix Fix standards and requirements for licenses and permits except as otherwise specified in this chapter. (3) Set fees, by rule, for licenses, permits, and certificates as well as renewal fees, late fees, delinquency fees, and reinstatement fees as required under this chapter, 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720 721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 27 fees, and reinstatement fees as required under this chapter, which shall be in a specific amount that shall apply uniformly to all holders of the applicable license, permit, or certificate to which the fee pertains. (3)(4)To make Adopt rules and regulations regarding sanitation consistent with state health regulations. (4)(5)To employ such Employ chemists, agents, clerical help, and attorneys as necessary for the proper administration of the duties of the board. (5)(6)To employ Employ under the supervision of the board a Chief Drug Investigator chief drug investigator and such other drug investigators that it the board deems necessary to enforce this chapter which are under the supervision of the board . (6)(7)To adopt Adopt rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of this chapter . and not inconsistent herewith. Such rules and regulations shall be referenced to the section or sections of this chapter which set forth the legislative standard which it interprets or to which it applies. Every such rule and regulation shall be adoptedThe board shall adopt all rules in accordance with the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act. A copy of every rule and regulation containing a requirement of general application shall be electronically mailed to each registered pharmacist at least 10 days before the effective date thereofof the certified rule. A printed copy of such the rules and regulations shall be mailed to any registered pharmacist upon written request to the board. (7)(8)To investigate Investigate violations of this 729 730 731 732 733 734 735 736 737 738 739 740 741 742 743 744 745 746 747 748 749 750 751 752 753 754 755 756 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 28 (7)(8)To investigate Investigate violations of this chapter or any other law pertaining to the practice of pharmacy that may come to the knowledge of the board and institute or cause to be instituted appropriate proceedings before the board or in a proper court appropriate proceedings in connection therewith of competent jurisdiction . (8)(9)To issue Issue subpoenas and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of all necessary papers, books and records, documentary evidence and materials, or other evidence in matters pending before the board relating to the revocation, suspension, or probation of any license. Those persons issued subpoenas and compelled to attend hearings or meetings in matters pending before the board shall be entitled to witness fees from board funds. Claims for witness fees shall be made on accepted State of Alabama voucher forms as appropriate. Travel and mileage expenses shall be reimbursed to witnesses in the amounts officially authorized to the board and its personnel at the time the service to the board is performed. (9)(10)To administer Administer oaths in connection with the duties of the board. (10)(11)To make Not later than November 1, submit a written report annually of its receipts and disbursements during the previous fiscal year to the Governor and to the State Pharmaceutical Alabama Pharmacy Association. Included in this report shall be the names of all registrants licensed to practice under this chapter and a record of all permits issued during the period covered by the report. (11)(12)To enforce Enforce the state barbiturate act, 757 758 759 760 761 762 763 764 765 766 767 768 769 770 771 772 773 774 775 776 777 778 779 780 781 782 783 784 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 29 (11)(12)To enforce Enforce the state barbiturate act, the state amphetamine act, the state narcotic law, and all other laws of the state which pertain to the practice of pharmacy, the examination of applicants, the licensing of pharmacists, the manufacture, packaging, repackaging, production, sale, or distribution of drugs, chemicals, and poisons, and all laws pertaining to standards for their strength and purity. The board may work in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies to enforce any law pertaining to the practice of pharmacy. Nothing in this section subdivision shall be construed to deprive the State Board of Health Alabama Department of Public Health of any powers or duties otherwise prescribed by law including the enforcement of the narcotic law. (12)(13)To investigate Investigate alleged violations of this chapter or any rule or regulation published by the board and conduct hearings to revoke, suspend, or probate place on probation any license or permit granted by the board under this chapter and to invoke levy civil penalties not to exceed the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation,as further provided in Section 34-23-33, and to institute any legal proceedings necessary to effect compliance with this chapter; provided, that any person , firm, or corporation subjected to such a penalty or legal proceedings may take an appeal in accordance with Section 34-23-94. (14) Cooperate and assist with prosecuting officers in any proceeding involving an alleged criminal offense and furnish prosecuting officers with any evidence the board, its officers, or employees determine will assist in the 785 786 787 788 789 790 791 792 793 794 795 796 797 798 799 800 801 802 803 804 805 806 807 808 809 810 811 812 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 30 officers, or employees determine will assist in the prosecution of a criminal offense. (13)(15) On application of any person and payment of the actual cost thereforof providing a certified copy , the secretary of the board shall furnish, under its seal and signed by the secretary, a certified copy of the license or permit of the requestorrequester, or a certified copy of a regulation or rule of the board . In any court or proceeding, such the copy shall be prima facie evidence of the fact of the issuance of such the permit or license and the adoption of such rule or regulation . (14)(16)To acquire Acquire by gift, grant, purchase, condemnation, or otherwise, and to convey or hold title to, real property, together with all rights incidental thereto." "§34-23-93 (a)(1) The board and its members and officers shall assist prosecuting officers in the enforcement of this chapter, and it shall be the duty of the board, its members and officers to furnish the proper prosecuting officers with such evidence as it or they may ascertain to assist them in the prosecution of any violation of this chapter, and the board is authorized for such purposes to make such reasonable expenditures from the funds of the board as it may deem necessary to ascertain and furnish such evidence. The Attorney General of the state shall be the attorney for the board, but the board may in its discretion employ other counsel. It shall be the duty of the district attorney of the judicial circuit wherein any offense is committed to prosecute violations of this chapter. 813 814 815 816 817 818 819 820 821 822 823 824 825 826 827 828 829 830 831 832 833 834 835 836 837 838 839 840 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 31 this chapter. (2)a. Not later than November 1, 2025, the board shall divide the office of general counsel into two distinct divisions. One division shall be responsible for all disciplinary functions, and the other division shall be responsible for administrative nondisciplinary functions, including providing advice to and answering questions from holders of licenses, permits, or certificates, or prospective holders of licenses, permits, or certificates regarding statutory and regulatory compliance. b. The board, by rule, shall establish internal procedures that ensure that any inquiries made by the holder of a license, permit, or certificate or other person seeking advice or guidance regarding compliance with a statute or rule is addressed by the administrative division and is not disclosed to the disciplinary division unless an attorney reasonably believes a criminal violation may have occurred. (b) The board may request assistance from the Attorney General or a district attorney or other prosecuting attorney, as appropriate. A prosecuting attorney shall assist the board, upon request, in any action for injunction brought by the board." "§34-23-131 (a) A pharmacy technician shall not perform pharmacy functions or be present in the prescription department of a pharmacy unless he or she is under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. A pharmacy technician shall not perform pharmacy functions or be present in the prescription department of a pharmacy unless he or she is registered by the 841 842 843 844 845 846 847 848 849 850 851 852 853 854 855 856 857 858 859 860 861 862 863 864 865 866 867 868 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 32 department of a pharmacy unless he or she is registered by the board. (b) When supervision is required, a licensed pharmacist shall be jointly responsible and liable for the actions of a pharmacy technician. (c)(1) A pharmacy technician shall register and pay a registration fee as determined in a specified amount set by the board, by rule, before performing any pharmacy functions. The fee shall be not less than twenty dollars ($20) nor more than sixty dollars ($60). The board shall adopt rules relating to the registration of all pharmacy technicians. The registration of a pharmacy technician shall be renewable biennially in odd-numbered years upon payment of the required renewal fee. (2) The registration of each pharmacy technician shall expire on December 31 of odd-numbered years . In order to continue to be licensed, each unless a registered pharmacy technician shall pay pays a biennial renewal fee of not in a specified amount set by the board by rule. The fee shall be not less than twenty dollars ($20) , as determined by rule of the board, the fee being nor more than sixty dollars ($60). The renewal fee shall be due on October 31 , and shall be considered delinquent after December 31 of odd-numbered years. The payment of the renewal fee shall entitle the pharmacy technician to renewal of his or her registration at the discretion of the board. If any pharmacy technician fails to pay the renewal fee as required by this subsection, he or she may be reinstated as a pharmacy technician only upon payment of the renewal fee and a penalty reinstatement fee of not less 869 870 871 872 873 874 875 876 877 878 879 880 881 882 883 884 885 886 887 888 889 890 891 892 893 894 895 896 HB123 INTRODUCED Page 33 of the renewal fee and a penalty reinstatement fee of not less than ten dollars ($10) nor more than twenty dollars ($20), as determined by rule of the board, for each lapsed year and all lapsed fees for each lapsed year up to a maximum of five years of total penalties and lapsed fees . (d) In addition to any other registration requirements, a pharmacy technician shall complete three hours of continuing education annually, or six hours biennially, of which one hour per year shall be live presentation. The board may grant an extension to a pharmacy technician who fails to complete the required continuing education hours in the allotted time. A pharmacy technician who fails to complete the annual continuing education requirements in a timely manner shall be subject to disciplinary action by the board." Section 4. Not later than February 1, 2026, the board shall submit a report to the respective chairs and vice chairs of the House Health and Senate Healthcare standing committees and all members of the Sunset Committee and Legislative Council. The report shall review all rules of the board and identify those rules that conflict with Chapter 23 of Title 34, Code of Alabama 1975, with a plan for how to bring all rules into compliance with Chapter 23 no later than October 1, 2026. Section 5. The Legislature concurs in the recommendations of the Sunset Committee as provided in Sections 1 through 4. Section 6. This act shall become effective immediately. 897 898 899 900 901 902 903 904 905 906 907 908 909 910 911 912 913 914 915 916 917 918 919 920 921 922