SB 310 would authorize Montgomery's city council to impose a tax on individuals working in the city, directly affecting residents and workers who engage in trades, occupations, or professions within Montgomery. The bill allows the city to levy this tax through ordinance to fund healthcare stabilization, transportation infrastructure, and public safety initiatives. If enacted, the tax would become effective on June 1, 2026, though the bill is currently pending in committee. The measure does not specify tax rates or exemptions, focusing solely on granting the city council authority to implement such a tax.
HB 453 requires all health insurance plans in Alabama - including private coverage, Medicaid, and public employee health plans - to cover breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy or cancer treatment. It ensures patients can choose their preferred surgeon (even outside their insurance network) and defines comprehensive coverage to include all necessary procedures for physical and psychological recovery. The bill sets rules for cost-sharing in private insurance and allows patients or healthcare providers to sue insurers who fail to comply, with enforcement by the Attorney General and Insurance Commissioner. The bill is currently pending in the House Insurance Committee as of February 12, 2026.
SB 297 requires Alabama hospitals and freestanding emergency departments to report quarterly to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) the number of hours physicians are physically present versus absent in emergency departments. ADPH must publish this data on its website in a searchable format, and hospitals must display real-time notices in the ER waiting room and on their website stating whether a physician is present (e.g., "A physician is physically present"). The bill defines "physically present" as a licensed physician on-site and immediately available for patient care, excluding telemedicine or off-site coverage. Hospitals violating these requirements may face license suspension or revocation, and the law takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 492 requires Alabama's Department of Human Resources to seek a federal waiver from the USDA to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from being used to buy candy, soda, prepared desserts, and energy drinks. If approved, the waiver would block SNAP purchases of these items, with retailers getting at least one month's notice before implementation. The bill defines specific items excluded (e.g., sodas listing sugar as a primary ingredient, energy drinks with ≥65mg caffeine per 8oz, and ready-to-eat processed desserts), while clarifying that coffee, tea, and baking ingredients remain eligible. If the waiver is denied, the state must resubmit the request annually until approved.
HB 466 adds Parkinson's disease to the list of occupational diseases eligible for compensation for Alabama firefighters who develop it during service. To qualify, firefighters must prove they were exposed to a known toxin linked to Parkinson's while employed, after which the disease is presumed work-related. The bill updates existing law (Sections 11-43-144, 36-30-40, and 36-30-41 of the Alabama Code) to include this requirement for both city and state firefighters. It removes outdated language while ensuring benefits for Parkinson's-related disability or death, aligning with similar provisions for cancer, HIV, and other conditions.
SB 269 regulates how health insurers pay for ground ambulance services in Alabama. It prohibits surprise billing by requiring insurers to pay providers a set minimum rate (200% of Medicare’s ambulance rate for in-network services, 180% for out-of-network) as full payment, meaning patients can only be charged their standard in-network copay or deductible. Ambulance providers and insurers must report financial data to the Alabama Department of Public Health, and an independent expert will study the law’s impact on access to ambulance services. The law expires on June 1, 2029. It directly affects emergency medical service providers and patients covered by health insurance plans.
HB 528 creates the Alabama Dementia Network within the Alabama Department of Public Health to improve dementia care across the state. It requires the department to establish regional hubs providing clinical education, diagnostic services, family support, and referrals, while partnering with agencies like Medicaid, senior services, and nonprofits. The bill mandates data collection on program effectiveness and annual public reporting of outcomes and recommendations. It does not require new state funding, allowing support through existing federal funds, grants, or partnerships. The network directly serves Alabamians living with dementia and their caregivers.
This resolution (HJR 171) urges the Alabama legislature to take specific actions to address food insecurity and support Black farmers. It recommends expanding SNAP eligibility by raising income thresholds and reducing barriers, investing in nutrition incentive programs like Double Bucks, adopting Summer EBT for children, and supporting Black farmers through equitable land access and credit. The resolution also proposes creating a Food Security & Equity Task Force and funding universal school meals. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change law but formally asks the legislature to consider these policy changes.
HB 487 allocates $43,138,650 in supplemental funding from Alabama’s Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The bill directs funds to specific state entities, including $26.36 million to the Department of Mental Health for opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery programs (such as Naloxone purchases, the 988 Crisis Line, and residential detox), $1 million to the Department of Corrections for medication-assisted treatment and harm-reduction services in prisons, and smaller allocations to universities, courts, child advocacy centers, and law enforcement. Key provisions include funding for opioid prevention programs in schools, expansion of treatment beds, and support for community-based recovery services. Unused funds will carry forward to the next fiscal year, as specified in Section 2.
HB 497 establishes standardized incident classifications and reporting requirements for service providers certified by Alabama's Department of Mental Health (ADMH) that support individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. It defines specific incident types (like "major injury," "exploitation," "elopement," and "suicide attempt") and mandates that providers report these incidents through a centralized electronic system. The bill requires ADMH to adopt necessary rules for implementation while prohibiting the department from imposing stricter reporting rules than those set by the bill or federal law. This affects all ADMH-certified providers serving this population, ensuring consistent incident tracking and management.
