HB494 Summary

• Amends Section 41-16-72 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to exempt the Alabama Medicaid Agency from standard professional services procurement procedures for certain health professional contracts.

• Exemption applies only to contracts with physicians, pharmacists, dentists, optometrists, opticians, nurses, and other health professionals that involve service on agency task forces, boards, or committees.

• Preserves existing procurement requirements for all other professional services contracts involving architects, engineers, and other specialists.

• Requires all professional service provider lists to seek racial and ethnic diversity of the state in contract letting processes.

• Became effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor, with House passage on April 26, 2011 and Senate passage on June 2, 2011.