Bill > SB236

This bill revises the membership and governance of Regional Mental Health Authority Boards, making several key changes to how these boards are structured and operate. The bill modifies the composition of board directors, requiring that each corporation be governed by a board of nine or more members appointed by local governing bodies, with specific provisions for areas served by one or multiple governing bodies. It introduces new requirements for board diversity, mandating that appointments reflect racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity of the service area. The bill also specifies that board members must be residents of the area they represent and have demonstrated concern for mental health programs. Additionally, it establishes six-year terms for directors, with approximately one-third of terms expiring every two years, and allows appointing authorities to remove members who attend less than half of board meetings. The legislation standardizes meeting requirements, mandating monthly meetings for boards with 16 or fewer members and requiring an executive committee for larger boards. The bill also requires boards to conduct meetings in accordance with the Alabama Open Meetings Act and file their constitution and bylaws with the Alabama Department of Mental Health. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2025, aiming to improve the representation, accountability, and effectiveness of regional mental health authority boards.

Government Affairs

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search