SB446 Summary

• Amends Section 34-8A-16 of the Alabama Code to clarify confidentiality rules for the Board of Examiners in Counseling regarding complaint and investigation files.

• Makes complaint and investigation files confidential and not available for court subpoena or civil discovery, except as specifically provided in the statute.

• Requires the board to publicly release settlement agreements, formal charges or orders to show cause, and final disciplinary decisions from formal hearings.

• Allows the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to access complaint and investigation files for audits, examinations, or reviews authorized by law.

• Permits parties in civil or administrative proceedings to discover complaint and investigation documents upon showing they need the materials and cannot obtain equivalent documents by other means without undue hardship.