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SB 110

Nurses; endorsement by certain certified nurses deemed endorsement by physician for K-12 school athletic participation physicals; schools prohibited from being member of athletic association that refuses to comply

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Elliott

Alabama bill authorizes certified nurses to conduct K-12 athletic physicals with physician-equivalent status, requiring schools to use associations accepting nurse-performed exams.

Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Healthcare
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Bill Summary · SB 110

Legislative bill overview

SB 110 would allow certain certified nurses to conduct athletic participation physicals for K-12 students, with their endorsements treated as equivalent to physician endorsements. The bill also prohibits schools from joining athletic associations that refuse to accept nurse-conducted physicals.

Why is this important

This addresses potential healthcare access gaps in rural or underserved areas where physician availability may be limited, while potentially reducing costs for families needing sports physicals. However, it fundamentally shifts medical authority and raises questions about the scope of nursing practice and liability in physical examinations.

Potential points of contention

  • Medical scope of practice: Whether certified nurses possess adequate training to conduct comprehensive athletic physicals traditionally performed by physicians, particularly in identifying cardiac abnormalities or other serious conditions
  • Liability and insurance: Questions about malpractice coverage, who bears responsibility if a nurse-conducted exam misses a critical health issue, and how this affects school liability
  • Athletic association compliance: Forcing schools to comply with a state mandate that may conflict with national athletic association standards (like those set by state athletic associations or the NFHS)

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

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