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HB 299

Board of Respiratory Therapy; composition, powers, authorities revised; requirements for licensure revised; criminal penalties for certain actions provided

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ed Oliver

Alabama bill revises respiratory therapy board composition, licensing standards, and adds criminal penalties for unlicensed practice to strengthen healthcare regulation.

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Health)
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Bill Summary · HB 299

Legislative bill overview

HB 299 restructures Alabama's Board of Respiratory Therapy by revising its composition and governance powers. The bill modifies licensure requirements for respiratory therapists and establishes new criminal penalties for unauthorized practice or violations of respiratory therapy regulations.

Why is this important

Respiratory therapists manage critical breathing support equipment in hospitals and clinical settings, making regulatory oversight directly relevant to patient safety. Changes to licensure standards and enforcement mechanisms can affect both professional entry barriers and consumer protections in healthcare delivery.

Potential points of contention

  • Board composition changes: Modifications to how board members are selected or represent stakeholders could shift influence between practicing therapists, public representatives, and other interest groups
  • Licensure requirement shifts: Altering educational or credentialing standards may impact workforce accessibility versus quality assurance, affecting both job availability and patient care standards
  • Criminal penalty scope: New criminal penalties could create enforcement leverage but also raises questions about proportionality—whether violations warrant criminal prosecution or administrative remedies would be more appropriate

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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