Healthcare (Mental Health)

signed · Alabama · House Apr 15, 2026

HJR 310: Representative Phillip Ensler, commended

This bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally commends Representative Phillip Ensler for his professional accomplishments and dedicated service to the people of Alabama. The resolution highlights his historic role as the first Jewish lawmaker in the Alabama Legislature in over four decades and recognizes his various contributions, including his work on gun violence prevention and mental health funding. It also acknowledges his background as a teacher, attorney, and community leader, noting his efforts to combat anti-semitism and foster multi-faith coalitions. The bill serves as an official expression of gratitude from the Alabama Legislature for his four years of service and impact on District 74.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill commends Rep. Ensler for work on mental health funding, indicating support for healthcare initiatives.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 597: Creates the Rural Behavioral and Mental Health Access program to expand access to mental health and substance use treatment in rural areas

This bill establishes the Rural Behavioral and Mental Health Access Act to improve mental health and substance use treatment services in Alabama's rural areas, which are defined as regions outside incorporated cities with populations over 25,000. The legislation creates a dedicated state fund to finance construction and staffing of rural treatment facilities, provides grants for telehealth equipment and broadband infrastructure, and offers financial incentives like scholarships and loan repayment for behavioral health professionals who work in rural communities. Additionally, the bill requires the Alabama Department of Mental Health to fund primary care practices that integrate behavioral health services through hiring mental health professionals and implementing collaborative care models. The program is designed to expand access to care by supporting new clinics, improving telehealth capabilities, and building a stronger rural mental health workforce, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes funding for rural mental health facilities, grants for telehealth equipment, and financial incentives to expand access to behavioral health services in underserved areas.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides grants for telehealth equipment and broadband infrastructure, directly advancing technology access in rural areas.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care Telehealth Broadband Access

Track

signed · Alabama · House Apr 16, 2026

HJR 198: Alabama Mental Health Task Force, established

This bill establishes an Alabama Mental Health Task Force to address mental health needs in the state. The task force will include various members, including one executive officer from a hospital appointed by the Lieutenant Governor from a list provided by the Alabama Hospital Association. The legislation creates a formal structure for coordinating mental health efforts across the state. It does not specify the full membership composition or the task force's specific duties beyond this appointment provision.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a task force to address mental health needs, indicating intent to strengthen and coordinate mental health services in Alabama.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

signed · Alabama · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 339: Crenshaw County; authorize law enforcement to take individual with mental illness into protective custody under certain conditions; legal immunity provided

This bill authorizes law enforcement officers in Crenshaw County to take individuals with mental illness into protective custody when they pose an immediate danger to themselves or others. The officer must transport the person to a hospital or treatment facility for evaluation, and if the individual does not consent, reasonable force may be used. The person must be released within 72 hours unless a judge orders further treatment, and the custody is not considered an arrest or criminal charge. Law enforcement officers and medical providers acting in good faith under this bill receive immunity from civil liability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides mental health protective custody for individuals with mental illness, reducing unnecessary criminalization and promoting appropriate treatment instead of arrest.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes protective custody for mental health crises, ensuring access to hospital evaluation and treatment, which supports mental health services and patient safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Law Enforcement Hospitals Mental Health

died · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 367: Rural Health Transformation Program, appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027

This bill provides up to $203 million in federal funding to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for the Rural Health Transformation Program during fiscal year 2027. The money is divided among ten specific health initiatives, including support for electronic health records, rural healthcare services, maternal health, workforce development, cancer care, emergency medical services, and mental health programs. The legislation also establishes rules for carrying over unspent funds to the next fiscal year and requires approval from federal officials before any money can be moved between different initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides $203M in federal funding for rural health initiatives, directly advancing public service funding and fiscal management for healthcare programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $203M to fund rural healthcare services, maternal health, mental health programs, and workforce development, directly strengthening healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 515: Criminal defendants with mental illnesses; civil inpatient commitment guidelines for criminal defendants further provided

This bill expands the legal definition of criminal defendants with mental illnesses to include individuals who are found incompetent to stand trial and cannot be restored to competency. It limits how long the Department of Mental Health can provide custody, care, and treatment for these individuals to the maximum possible prison sentence they could receive for the charged crime, with exceptions for capital murder cases or when civil commitment criteria are still met. The legislation also includes technical updates to align the code language with current style conventions. These changes directly affect the state's mental health system and the judicial process for handling mentally ill defendants in Alabama.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands mental health protections for criminal defendants, enhancing rehabilitation and civil rights while limiting indefinite custody without clear cause.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands mental health treatment access for incompetent defendants, ensuring continued care and civil commitment guidelines that protect patient rights and support mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

Track

signed · Alabama · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 614: Rural Health Transformation Program, appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027

This bill provides supplemental funding totaling up to $203 million from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program to Alabama's Department of Economic and Community Affairs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027. The money is allocated across ten specific health initiatives, including support for electronic health records, rural healthcare services, maternal and fetal health, workforce development, cancer care, emergency medical services, and mental health programs. The legislation also establishes procedures for carrying over unspent funds to the next fiscal year and outlines requirements for reallocation approval from state officials and federal agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $203M in federal funding for rural health initiatives, directly advancing public service funding and fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides $203M in funding for rural health initiatives including maternal health, mental health, and workforce development95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill includes workforce development funding under rural health initiatives, which supports employment and job creation in healthcare sectors.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates funding for electronic health records and rural healthcare services, indicating support for technology adoption in healthcare.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Workforce Development

died · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 368: Rural Health Transformation Program supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026

This bill allocates up to $203 million in federal funds from the Rural Health Transformation Program to Alabama's Department of Economic and Community Affairs for fiscal year 2026. The money is divided among ten specific health initiatives focused on rural areas, including electronic health records, workforce development, maternal health, cancer care, mental health services, and emergency medical response improvements. The bill also establishes rules for carrying over unspent funds to the next fiscal year and requires state officials to obtain federal approval before reallocating money between different program categories. These provisions aim to support ongoing healthcare infrastructure and services in rural Alabama communities while maintaining compliance with federal funding requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $203M in federal funds to Alabama for rural health initiatives, directly funding public services and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $203M federal funds to Alabama for rural health initiatives including electronic records, workforce development, maternal health, cancer care, mental health, and emergency response improvements.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates funds for electronic health records in rural areas, advancing digital health infrastructure and technology adoption in healthcare.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health

Track

signed · Alabama · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 487: Appropriations, supplemental appropriations from the Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $43M from opioid fund to mental health/corrections for opioid programs, directly funding essential services via appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $1M to Department of Corrections for medication-assisted treatment and harm-reduction services, directly supporting rehabilitation programs within criminal justice system to reduce recidivism.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $26.36M to mental health opioid programs including Naloxone and 988 Crisis Line, directly funding healthcare services per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Law Enforcement Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 497: Mental health; Alabama Department of Mental Health, Division of Developmental Disabilities Community Incident Prevention and Management System provided, incident types and reporting requirements established, implementation required, adoption of more stringent reporting requirements in certain circumstances prohibited

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes standardized incident reporting for mental health providers, enhancing oversight and protection for patients with developmental disabilities under mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track