Alabama House votes to end requirement that the University of Alabama have a stand – alone social work school

January 30, 2026 – The Alabama House of Representatives voted to end the requirement that the University of Alabama have a stand-alone school of social work.

House Bill 152 (HB152) was sponsored by state Representative Danny Garrett (R-Trussville).

Rep. Garrett explained that in their discussion with the University of Alabama about proposed outcome based funding for the university that University of officials brought up that they are required by law to have a stand alone school of social work. HB152 would end that requirement.

"In the school of social work there are 647 students," said Garrett. "Out of 40,000 students in the University. There are 329 undergraduates and 318 graduate students, with 146 faculty members. The University is the leading social work college in the state."

Garrett explained that HB152, "Repeals the requirement that it be structured this way (as a stand-alone college. This will give the University of Alabama the authority to do what they want. It does not get rid of social work. When we repeal this bill nothing changes."

Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Fairhope) said, "Thank you for what you are doing for the University of Alabama."

Rep. David Faulkner (R–Mountain Brook) said, "This gives the university some flexibility. It maybe allow them a more efficient way to do this."

Some Democrats were less complimentary of this legislation.

Rep. Marilyn Lands (D-Madison) said, "When this was passed in 1965 there was a real need and that is still true today."

"The reason that there is a shortage of social workers is the wages are low and do not reflect the training required," said Lands. "There is a high turnover and burnout rate."

"Changing this from a stand alone school to a department," said Lands. "This means they would no longer have their own dean. Social work loses their seat at the table."

"I contend that we need to be focused on the real problem of this state," said Lands. "I fear what the future might look like in five years if this is passed."

"It repeals the requirement that they have a stand-alone school," Garrett said. "The University is the largest graduater of social workers in the state. That is not going to change. This allows them to innovate."

Garrett said that the state was not meddling in University of Alabama affairs.

"This doesn't meddle with the university we are unmeddling," said Garrett. "This bill is not dismantling the school of social work."

Lands said, "This will have unintended consequences."

Rep. Sam Jones (D-Mobile) was concerned that this might lead to dismantling of the school of social work.

Garret said, "There are social work programs all over the country that are larger and better funded."

"What it says to me is that the social work school becomes a department," said Jones. "Why would we remove the mandate for the school?"

Garrett said, "Should we mandate that all schools in the state have a school of social work? I am talking about where we are today. They have 600 students out of 40,000."

"There are a lot of things we can do to increase the number of social workers in the state, but repealing the school of social work is not one of them," said Rep. Jones. "What was going on in 1965 that the Legislature felt the need to manadate that the university of Alabma have a school of social work Did they ask for this?"

Garret answered, "Yes they are supporting this because it gives them more autonomy. They told me that they want to continue to be the premier in the state and they want more students to go through the program."

"I would hope that we would be better than these numbers we are seeing," said Garrett. "It shouldn't be our decision how the university operates."

Rep. Adline Clarke (D-Mobile) said, "If it ain't broke.....(don't fix it.)"

Rep. Neil Rafferty (D-Birmingham) said, "I have talked with my constituents who are social workers and they are skeptical of this bill."

Garrett talked about the reasons for the outcome based funding model that the state is considering in future legislation.

"We want more first generation degree students. We want more graduates staying in the state. We want more degrees in areas where there is a workforce need," Garrett said.

Garrett said that all HB152 does s to remove this mandate.

HB152 passed by a vote of 76 to 14. It now goes to the Alabama Senate for their consideration.

To comment or ask a question email: brandonmreporter@gmail.com