SB102 Summary

• Creates the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences, a state-funded residential institution in Demopolis in Marengo County, authorized to open in fall 2026 and focused on STEMM and healthcare sciences education to address workforce shortages.

• Establishes a 20-member board of trustees including representatives from universities, hospitals, the state department of education, legislative committees, and eight gubernatorial appointees (five with healthcare backgrounds, one required to be a Marengo County resident).

• Grants the board authority to accept donations, purchase property, award certificates and diplomas, hire staff, establish admission criteria ensuring at least one qualified applicant per state senate district, and coordinate curriculum with the state department while maintaining independence from superintendent and state board control.

• Allows the school to operate full-time programs during the regular school year plus optional summer and extension programs, with students receiving both school-issued certificates and regular high school diplomas upon completion.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval, and does not conflict with existing specialty schools (mathematics and science, fine arts, and cyber technology and engineering).