SB 136 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Sunset law; Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board continued with modification until October 1, 2027, when renamed Alabama Massage Advisory Council under the regulatory authority of the Alabama Department of Public Health

This bill (SB 136) extends the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board's operation until October 1, 2027, and reorganizes it as a division within the Alabama Department of Public Health. The Alabama Department of Public Health will now provide all administrative services (including finance, legal support, staffing, and IT), appoint an executive director, and handle all board property. This change directly affects licensed massage therapists, massage therapy schools, and establishments in Alabama that operate under the board's regulations. The bill modifies existing law (Sections 34-43A-2 and 34-43A-5) to reflect this structural shift.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Jan 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Mar 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 2 edits · Mar 3, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized for signature by shifting from an 'Engrossed' draft to an 'Enrolled' version, which includes minor formatting corrections and the addition of specific equipment examples to the definition of massage therapy. The substantive policy content, including the sunset date of October 1, 2026, and the transfer of regulatory authority to the Department of Public Health, remains unchanged.

Scope change

The scope of the bill remains the same; no new laws were added or removed, only the final formatting and minor definition clarifications were adjusted.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting and numbering corrections were made throughout the document to prepare it for the Governor's signature.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Massage Therapy or Related Touch Therapy Modalities' was updated to explicitly list specific equipment like T-bars, thumpers, and steam cabinets, clarifying what tools fall under the legal definition.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 501

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Boards, Agencies and Commissions)

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 151

upper

Jan 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Elliott motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 150

upper

Jan 27, 2026

Introduced

Elliott 1st Substitute Offered

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors