Sen. Larry Stutts

Maddy summarySJR 29 is a non-binding resolution from the Alabama Legislature urging the President to prioritize online sextortion of minors as a top domestic issue in the State of the Union address. It cites FBI data showing over 13,000 reports of financial sextortion against minors (primarily boys) between 2021-2023, involving 12,600 victims and linked to at least 20 suicides. The resolution notes Alabama has enacted state laws (Acts 2025-302 and 2025-386) to address sextortion but emphasizes this crisis requires federal action. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies - it solely requests the President elevate the issue publicly.

Maddy summarySB 184 requires Alabama's Department of Human Resources (DHR) to create a dementia training program for staff and contractors who investigate complaints about vulnerable adults. The training, mandated for new hires and renewed every two years, covers identifying dementia (including Alzheimer's), safety risks like wandering or falls, communication strategies, and best practices for serving these individuals. It directly affects DHR employees and contractors working in Adult Protective Services under Section 38-9-4(b). The bill, pending in the Senate Healthcare Committee, takes effect October 1, 2026, and authorizes DHR to adopt implementing rules.

Maddy summarySB 80 requires all Alabama hospitals with emergency departments (regardless of classification) to have at least one physician physically present and responsible for the emergency department at all times it is open. This requirement becomes a condition for hospital licensing and renewal under Alabama law. The bill directly affects every hospital operating an emergency department in the state. It takes effect on October 1, 2026, and does not change current staffing levels beyond ensuring a physician is on-site during all open hours.

Maddy summarySB 82 would eliminate the requirement for rural healthcare providers to obtain state approval (a "certificate of need") before building new facilities or expanding services. This directly affects rural hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers seeking to grow or establish operations in designated rural areas. The bill maintains a requirement for these rural providers to submit reports to the State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA). It also makes minor technical updates to existing healthcare regulations to remove outdated language.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 101 revises the age at which minors may consent to medical treatment, directly affecting minors and their parents or legal guardians. The bill generally raises the minimum age for certain medical consent provisions from 14 to 16 years old. It specifies that individuals must be 16 years of age or older for particular medical decisions. Additionally, it adjusts provisions concerning K-12 public school students and clarifies parental rights for minors between 16 and 19 years of age.

Maddy summarySB 285 removes a state requirement for health care facilities to obtain a certificate of need (a type of approval process) before building new or expanding existing obstetric (pregnancy/birthing) or psychiatric (mental health) care facilities. This change directly affects hospitals, clinics, and health care providers seeking to add or expand these specific services. The bill eliminates the approval hurdle for these facilities while making minor technical updates to related state code. It does not alter other certificate of need requirements for different health services or facilities.

Maddy summarySB 100 changes Alabama's property tax rules by replacing the current 7% annual cap on assessed value increases with a new limit tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This affects most residential and commercial property owners, as the new rule applies to Class II and III properties under Alabama law. The bill limits annual tax increases to the percentage change in the CPI (from the previous year), rather than a fixed 7%, while exempting new construction, property never assessed, and certain family transfers. The change takes effect retroactively from October 1, 2024, and applies through 2027.

Maddy summarySB 99 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which act as intermediaries between health insurers and pharmacies. It directly affects pharmacies (by setting reimbursement benchmarks), patients (by prohibiting PBMs from forcing specific drug versions or pharmacies), and insurers (by allowing legal action for PBM violations). Key provisions include requiring fair pharmacy payments, banning PBM influence over drug choices, and creating a civil lawsuit option for harmed parties. The bill also tightens rules for pharmacy audits and fund recoupments under existing law. These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability in how PBMs handle drug pricing and patient care.

Maddy summarySB 27 requires Alabama Medicaid to cover specific noninvasive colorectal cancer screening tests (guaiac fecal occult blood test, fecal immunochemical test, and multi-target stool DNA test) when they have a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) grade A or B recommendation. It also mandates coverage for a colonoscopy if a screening test returns positive. This directly affects Alabama Medicaid beneficiaries who need these screenings, ensuring access to recommended tests without cost barriers. The bill implements these changes immediately upon enactment, aligning Medicaid coverage with federal preventive care guidelines.

Resolutions