Alabama State Sen. Jim McClendon (R-Springville) and State Rep. April Weaver (R-Pelham) were both recognized as “Capitol Caregivers” at the Shelby County Chamber 2019 Alabama Legislative Preview Event by AARP Alabama, which serves more than 440,000 Alabamians age 50 and older.

AARP’s 2018 “Capitol Caregivers” is a group of 65 elected bipartisan officials from 24 states. The selected leaders have advanced policies that support family caregivers, who help their parents, spouses and other loved ones around their homes and in the community.

“AARP Alabama thanks Senator McClendon and Representative Weaver for championing the Nurse Signature Act,” said Candi Williams state director of AARP Alabama in a statement. “They provided key leadership to pass this common-sense legislation and to help make family caregivers’ many responsibilities a little bit easier.”

The Nurse Signature Act made a change that will reduce the time spent on complex paperwork and increase efficiency by allowing providers greater opportunities to see and care for their patients.

The bill was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey in March 2018.

An estimated 761,000 Alabamians provide unpaid care for their loved ones, which is valued at $7.7 billion annually in Alabama.

“AARP Alabama will continue to advocate for family caregivers and their loved ones in the upcoming 2019 session,” Williams said. “We are excited to work with Representative Weaver on her pre-filed Nurse Compact bill that will ease red tape and increase access for Alabamians, particularly in rural and underserved areas.”

Kyle Morris also contributes daily to Breitbart News. You can follow him on Twitter @RealKyleMorris.