Read the full stored bill text
HB294 INTRODUCED
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HB294
JPUSTYN-1
By Representatives Bracy, Chestnut, Givan, Hollis, Warren,
Hall, Ensler, Morris, Gray, Lawrence, McCampbell, Jones,
Datcher, Tillman, Clarke, Moore (M), McClammy, Hendrix,
Hassell, Drummond
RFD: Education Policy
First Read: 20-Jan-26
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JPUSTYN-1 01/15/2026 KMS (L)cr 2025-3481
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First Read: 20-Jan-26
SYNOPSIS:
This bill would create the Alabama Professional
Workforce Protection Act.
This bill would establish a state list of
professional careers based on advanced education,
licensing requirements, and critical workforce need.
This bill would also mandate that individuals
serving in professional careers are eligible for state
workforce development programs, scholarships, loan
repayment programs, and initiatives.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to professional and occupational licensing; to
create the Alabama Professional Workforce Protection Act; to
provide legislative findings; to establish a state list of
professional careers that recognizes certain occupations
removed from the federal classification of professional degree
programs; to support Alabama workforce development in fields
related to professional careers; and to mandate that
individuals serving in professional careers are eligibile for
state workforce development programs, scholarships, loan
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state workforce development programs, scholarships, loan
repayment programs, and initiatives.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) This section shall be known and may be
cited as the Alabama Professional Workforce Protection Act.
(b) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
(1) This state relies on a broad array of highly
skilled and licensed occupations that require advanced
education, internships, clinical rotations, supervised
practice, or board certification.
(2) Recent federal actions have narrowed the definition
of professional degree programs, excluding several occupations
long recognized as professional fields.
(3) These occupations, including nursing, education,
mental health, allied health, public health, engineering,
architecture, accounting, and others, are critical to
Alabama's health care, educational success, public safety, and
economic competitiveness.
(4) Alabama faces workforce shortages in many of these
areas and has a compelling state interest in recognizing and
supporting these professions.
(5) This state should affirm the status of these
occupations as professional careers to protect workforce
pipelines and ensure access to state-level incentives,
scholarships, and workforce development programs.
(c) For the purposes of state law, state workforce
development programs, state-supported scholarships, career
incentive programs, and any state initiative referring to
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incentive programs, and any state initiative referring to
professional occupations, the following shall be recognized as
professional careers in this state:
(1) Nursing including, but not limited to, registered
nurses, licensed practical nurses, advanced practice nurses,
nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives.
(2) Assistants to physicians.
(3) Physical therapists and occupational therapists.
(4) Speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
(5) Social workers including, but not limited to,
licensed bachelor social workers, licensed master social
workers, and licensed independent clinical social workers.
(6) Mental health counselors including, but not limited
to, licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage and
family therapists, clinical counselors, and school counselors.
(7) Teachers, educators, and administrative staff,
including preK–12 educators and principals and higher
education faculty and administrators.
(8) Public health professionals, including MPH and
DrPH.
(9) Architecture and design professionals including,
but not limited to, licensed architects.
(10) Accounting professionals including, but not
limited to, certified public accountants.
(11) Engineering professionals in all major fields.
(12) Individuals who work in allied health professions
including, but not limited to, respiratory therapy, radiology
sciences, laboratory sciences, dental hygiene, and others who
require licensing, certification, or accredited professional
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require licensing, certification, or accredited professional
training.
(13) Any additional occupation determined by the
Alabama Department of Workforce, in consultation with the
Alabama Commission on Higher Education, to meet the criteria
of advanced education, licensing, and critical workforce need.
(d) All professional careers listed in subsection (c)
are eligible for:
(1) State workforce development grants and initiatives
referencing professional fields.
(2) State-funded scholarship and loan repayment
programs available to professional careers.
(3) Strategic workforce planning reports and statewide
economic development plans that classify occupations by
professional category.
(e) Nothing in this section shall modify, reduce, or
alter the authority or requirements of any state professional
or occupational licensing board, agency, or commission.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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