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Opponents warn repeal of UA School of Social Work mandate could weaken workforce training; committee advances HB 152
Summary
After a public hearing with faculty and social-work leaders urging a 'no' vote, the Senate Finance committee voted to give HB 152 a favorable report; the bill would remove the Legislature's statutory requirement that the University of Alabama maintain a standalone School of Social Work, allowing the university to reorganize the program.
Representative Garrett presented House Bill 152, which would repeal the legislative mandate that the University of Alabama operate a standalone School of Social Work and instead let the university determine the program's organizational structure.
In a public hearing, three opponents urged the committee to reject the measure. "For over 60 years the school has fulfilled that mission and remains the cornerstone of Alabama's human services system," said Reverend Dr. Rusty Bennett, CEO of three nonprofits in Birmingham and a two-time graduate of the University of Alabama School of Social Work. Bennett told senators the program — created in 1965 and producing more than 7,000 alumni — is nationally ranked and that repealing the statutory mandate risks accreditation, national standing and the state's social-work pipeline. "For these reasons ... I respectfully urge you to vote no on this bill," he said.
Brian Bride, who identified…
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