Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Senate
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Bills discussed (54)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1004
· 7 mentions in chapter, agenda, transcript
Matched: “HB1004 Pilkington TO REQUIRE MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR POSTPARTUM MOTH…”
|
TO REQUIRE MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR POSTPARTUM MOTHERS FOR ONE YEAR AFTER GIVING BIRTH. | Pilkington | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1679
Act 861
· 6 mentions in transcript, agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ank y'all for being with us. OK, Representative Matt Brown, House Bill 1679, I believe we have an amendment. Yes,”
|
TO AMEND THE REVISED ARKANSAS ANATOMICAL GIFT ACT; TO ALLOW CERTAIN CLASSES OF PERSONS TO … | M. Brown | Notification that HB1679 is now Act 861 |
|
HB1784
Act 864
· 4 mentions in transcript, chapter, agenda
Matched: “…Second, all those in favor say aye and opposed, I have it. House Bill 1784 is passed. Thank you, Brown, as Representative Brown is com…”
|
TO MODIFY THE INFORMAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES. | Wardlaw | Notification that HB1784 is now Act 864 |
|
HB1251
· 3 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1251 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSIS…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANT ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSURE OF ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS. | L. Johnson | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1142
Act 859
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1142 A. Brown TO CREATE THE REPRODUCTIVE EMPOWERMENT AND SUPPORT…”
|
TO CREATE THE REPRODUCTIVE EMPOWERMENT AND SUPPORT THROUGH OPTIMAL RESTORATION (RESTORE) ACT. | A. Brown | Notification that HB1142 is now Act 859 |
|
HB1164
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1164 J. Mayberry TO ALLOW A PHYSICIAN OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO…”
|
TO ALLOW A PHYSICIAN OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO OFFER COGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS; AND … | J. Mayberry | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1185
Act 799
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1185 L. Johnson TO ADOPT THE DIETITIAN LICENSURE COMPACT IN ARKA…”
|
TO ADOPT THE DIETITIAN LICENSURE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS. | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1185 is now Act 799 |
|
HB1186
Act 960
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…EMENT ORGANIZATIONS. REGULAR AGENDA Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1186 Vaught TO CREATE THE PAIN RELIEF PARITY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE…”
|
TO CREATE THE PAIN RELIEF PARITY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PAIN RELIEF PARITY IN THE … | Vaught | Notification that HB1186 is now Act 960 |
|
HB1187
Act 858
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1187 Vaught TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT FOR MARRIAGE…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS. | Vaught | Notification that HB1187 is now Act 858 |
|
HB1218
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…SOLID WASTE LANDFILL TO BE PLACED OVER A KARST TOPOGRAPHY. HB1218 J. Mayberry TO CREATE LICENSURE FOR THERAPEUTIC RECREATION…”
|
TO CREATE LICENSURE FOR THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SPECIALISTS; AND TO CREATE THE THERAPEUTIC RECREATION PRACTICE ACT. | J. Mayberry | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1252
Act 965
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1252 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH THE CERTIFIED COMMUNITY-BASED DOULA…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE CERTIFIED COMMUNITY-BASED DOULA CERTIFICATION ACT; AND TO CERTIFY BIRTH AND POSTPARTUM DOULAS … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1252 is now Act 965 |
|
HB1285
Act 856
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…hnson TO ADOPT THE DIETITIAN LICENSURE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS. HB1285 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH AN EXEMPTION PROGRAM FOR AMBULANCE…”
|
TO ESTABLISH AN EXEMPTION PROGRAM FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE'S OPERATORS FOR CERTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES. | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1285 is now Act 856 |
|
HB1428
Act 855
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1428 Steimel TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PUBLIC LODGING; AND TO P…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PUBLIC LODGING; AND TO PROVIDE A BED HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR … | Steimel | Notification that HB1428 is now Act 855 |
|
HB1439
Act 853
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…L DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES. HB1439 Ladyman TO REMOVE THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS OF THE DEPARTME…”
|
TO REMOVE THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FROM LICENSURE AS A … | Ladyman | Notification that HB1439 is now Act 853 |
|
HB1442
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…estrictions designating areas as 'Members and Staff Only'. HB1442 Achor TO SET RESTRICTIONS ON PHARMACY CONTRACTING AND CONFL…”
|
TO SET RESTRICTIONS ON PHARMACY CONTRACTING AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST; AND TO ESTABLISH PHARMACEUTICAL PATIENT … | Achor | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1456
Act 852
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…OF HUMAN SERVICES FROM LICENSURE AS A PRIVATE CARE AGENCY. HB1456 Rose TO AMEND THE STATE KIDNEY DISEASE COMMISSION TO BE AN…”
|
TO AMEND THE STATE KIDNEY DISEASE COMMISSION TO BE AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE DEPARTMENT … | Rose | Notification that HB1456 is now Act 852 |
|
HB1458
Act 851
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1458 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "CREDENTIALING INFORM…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "CREDENTIALING INFORMATION" WHEN THE ARKANSAS STATE MEDICAL BOARD IS PROVIDING … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1458 is now Act 851 |
|
HB1471
Act 966
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1471 Wooldridge TO AMEND THE EXPIRATION DATE OF ALL LICENSES OF…”
|
TO AMEND THE EXPIRATION DATE OF ALL LICENSES OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE … | Wooldridge | Notification that HB1471 is now Act 966 |
|
HB1537
Act 850
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…RD IS PROVIDING INFORMATION TO CREDENTIALING ORGANIZATIONS. HB1537 Ladyman TO REPEAL THE LOCATION ACT FOR COMMUNITY HOMES FOR…”
|
TO REPEAL THE LOCATION ACT FOR COMMUNITY HOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. | Ladyman | Notification that HB1537 is now Act 850 |
|
HB1585
Act 849
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1585 L. Johnson TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FROM LICENSURE AS A HOME…”
|
TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FROM LICENSURE AS A HOME HEALTHCARE SERVICE TO AN ENTITY THAT … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1585 is now Act 849 |
|
HB1767
Act 863
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1767 L. Johnson TO ABOLISH THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISO…”
|
TO ABOLISH THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL; AND TO CREATE THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1767 is now Act 863 |
|
HB1801
Act 961
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1801 K. Moore TO AUTHORIZE AN OUTSOURCING FACILITY OF LEGEND DRU…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE AN OUTSOURCING FACILITY OF LEGEND DRUGS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES THAT COMPOUNDS A PRODUCT … | K. Moore | Notification that HB1801 is now Act 961 |
|
HB1817
Act 865
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1817 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH ELIJAH'S LAW IN ARKANSAS; AND TO RE…”
|
TO ESTABLISH ELIJAH'S LAW IN ARKANSAS; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1817 is now Act 865 |
|
HB1840
Act 967
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…SH A STATEWIDE ANAPHYLAXIS POLICY FOR CHILDCARE FACILITIES. HB1840 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CAR…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT TO ENSURE THAT SEDATION DENTISTRY IS COVERED … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1840 is now Act 967 |
|
HB1841
Act 1021
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…DENTISTRY IS COVERED BY RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS. HB1841 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS REVENUE INVESTMENT IN VIT…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS REVENUE INVESTMENT IN VITAL EMS SYSTEMS (ARRIVES) ACT; AND TO CREATE … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1841 is now Act 1021 |
|
HB1869
Act 868
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1869 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE MATERNAL OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT SYSTE…”
|
TO CREATE THE MATERNAL OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; AND TO ORGANIZE … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1869 is now Act 868 |
|
HB1893
Act 819
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1893 M. Brown TO AUTHORIZE A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER OR BUSINESS…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER OR BUSINESS OWNER TO BAN AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL … | M. Brown | Notification that HB1893 is now Act 819 |
|
HB1943
Act 962
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1943 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CAR…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPROVE THE ENROLLMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1943 is now Act 962 |
|
HB1954
Act 869
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…GANIZATIONS; AND TO EMPOWER BENEFICIARIES WITH INFORMATION. HB1954 Andrews TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATIO…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT; AND TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS UNDER … | Andrews | Notification that HB1954 is now Act 869 |
|
HB1965
Act 870
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1965 McCullough TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY FOOD RETAIL ACT O…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY FOOD RETAIL ACT OF 2025; AND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES … | McCullough | Notification that HB1965 is now Act 870 |
|
HB1403
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…Y- BASED SERVICES WITHIN RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS. HB1403 Pilkington TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY FOR…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ME ACT OF 2021 TO ALLOW NONHOSPITAL … | Pilkington | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1523
Act 951
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1523 Vaught CONCERNING MISSING PERSONS ALERTS; TO CODIFY THE ARK…”
|
CONCERNING MISSING PERSONS ALERTS; TO CODIFY THE ARKANSAS AMBER ALERT SYSTEM; TO CODIFY THE ARKANSAS … | Vaught | Notification that HB1523 is now Act 951 |
|
HB1576
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ULANCE SERVICE'S OPERATORS FOR CERTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES. HB1576 Lundstrum TO PROHIBIT A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL TO BE PLACED O…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL TO BE PLACED OVER A KARST TOPOGRAPHY. | Lundstrum | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1682
Act 942
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1682 Puryear TO CREATE THE GOOD NEIGHBOR ACT; AND TO CLARIFY FOO…”
|
TO CREATE THE GOOD NEIGHBOR ACT; AND TO CLARIFY FOOD DONATION LIABILITY AND IMMUNITY. | Puryear | Notification that HB1682 is now Act 942 |
|
HB1768
Act 815
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1768 Lundstrum TO REQUIRE A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL CONTRACT RELATI…”
|
TO REQUIRE A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL CONTRACT RELATING TO A HOST FEE TO BE VOTED … | Lundstrum | Notification that HB1768 is now Act 815 |
|
HB1848
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB 1848”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE PRESUMPTION THAT AN AWARD OF JOINT CUSTODY BETWEEN PARENTS … | Hudson | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1963
Act 963
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1963 Gonzales TO CLARIFY THAT AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NU…”
|
TO CLARIFY THAT AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE WHO PRESCRIBES A STIMULANT MAY SUBSTITUTE A … | Gonzales | Notification that HB1963 is now Act 963 |
|
SB2
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…WAIVER FOR THE AGING AND ELDERLY POPULATION IN THIS STATE. SB2 C. Penzo TO REPEAL THE STATEWIDE FLUORIDATION PROGRAM; AND…”
|
TO REPEAL THE STATEWIDE FLUORIDATION PROGRAM; AND TO REMOVE THE MANDATE FOR WATER SYSTEMS TO … | C. Penzo | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB221
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…AL HEALTH RESOURCES. DEFERRED BILLS Number Sponsor Subtitle SB221 B. Davis TO PROHIBIT RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS FROM…”
|
TO PROHIBIT RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS FROM USING CERTAIN TYPES OF CONTRACTING PRACTICES WHEN CONTRACTING WITH … | B. Davis | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB225
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…OVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. SB225 J. Scott TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO PROVID…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A CATEGORY FOR BENEFICIARIES WITH SICKLE CELL … | J. Scott | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB269
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…VIDE A CATEGORY FOR BENEFICIARIES WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE. SB269 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS REGARDING LOCATIONS FOR…”
|
TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS REGARDING LOCATIONS FOR AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS OF A HOSPICE AGENCY. | C. Penzo | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB273
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ING LOCATIONS FOR AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS OF A HOSPICE AGENCY. SB273 D. Wallace TO REQUIRE DIALYSIS CENTERS TO HAVE A BACKUP GEN…”
|
TO REQUIRE DIALYSIS CENTERS TO HAVE A BACKUP GENERATOR ON SITE. | D. Wallace | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB306
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…HIBIT FLUORIDATION OF THE WATER IN THE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM. SB306 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO APP…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO APPLY FOR A HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES … | C. Penzo | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB312
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…SMENT FEE ON HOSPITALS UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM. SB312 Stone TO REMOVE THE MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION OR ADDIT…”
|
TO REMOVE THE MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION OR ADDITION OF ANY ADDITIONAL BEDS WITHIN PSYCHIATRIC … | Stone | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB474
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…RENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CERTAIN 340B-COVERED ENTITIES. SB474 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS;…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS; AND TO ALLOW THE BOARD OF A … | C. Penzo | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB532
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…S THE SERVICE OF REMOVAL OF A TIRE FROM A RIM. Page 3 of 4 SB532 Hester TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "SPECIALTY HOSPITAL" RELA…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "SPECIALTY HOSPITAL" RELATING TO THE ASSESSMENT FEE ON HOSPITALS UNDER … | Hester | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB542
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…EQUIRE DIALYSIS CENTERS TO HAVE A BACKUP GENERATOR ON SITE. SB542 B. Davis TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPROVE THE ENROLLMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS … | B. Davis | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB543
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…GANIZATIONS; AND TO EMPOWER BENEFICIARIES WITH INFORMATION. SB543 B. Davis TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR HOME- A…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES WITHIN RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS. | B. Davis | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB587
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…SAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO PERFORM ADDITIONAL CARE AND DUTIES. SB587 G. Leding TO CREATE THE PARENTS' PEACE OF MIND ACT; TO ESTA…”
|
TO CREATE THE PARENTS' PEACE OF MIND ACT; TO ESTABLISH AUTHORIZATION FOR AND USE OF … | G. Leding | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB589
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…L BEDS WITHIN PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITIES. SB589 C. Penzo TO CREATE THE 340B PROGRAM TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND T…”
|
TO CREATE THE 340B PROGRAM TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING TRANSPARENCY AND … | C. Penzo | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB606
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…NONHOSPITAL ENTITIES TO BE COMMUNITY BRIDGE ORGANIZATIONS. SB606 B. Davis TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING AND ACCOUNTABILIT…”
|
TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; TO CREATE THE TIRE MANAGEMENT AND … | B. Davis | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB616
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…FOR WAIVERS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES. SB616 C. Penzo TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY RES…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY RESIDENT MONITORING AND COMMUNICATIONS ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH … | C. Penzo | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB622
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ECYCLING FUND; AND TO CREATE THE WASTE TIRE ABATEMENT FUND. SB622 B. Davis TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION ON A TIRE RETAILER FROM…”
|
TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION ON A TIRE RETAILER FROM CHARGING OTHER FEES TO A PERSON … | B. Davis | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB95
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…E MANDATE FOR WATER SYSTEMS TO MAINTAIN A FLUORIDE CONTENT. SB95 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ATHLETIC TRAINERS ACT; AND T…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ATHLETIC TRAINERS ACT; AND TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF "ATHLETE" WITHIN … | C. Penzo | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
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Representative Matt Brown and then to uh Senator Davis, um, representative Wardlaw. You're recognized to present House Bill. 1784. 1784. All right, if you'll state your name for
the record, you may proceed. State Representative Jeff Ward, Law District
94. Thank you, Madam Chair. So members in skilled nursing
facilities, first full disclosure. I know you guys'
rules. I don't work in uh in healthcare anymore. I now work for Delta Waterfowl and the waterfowl world, and I only care about waterfowl conservation these days, but my wife still works in the nursing homes, just to be clear. Is that better? Thank you. Yeah, I understand. Skilled nursing and long-term care facilities in Arkansas are surveyed by the Office of Long Term Care. When these surveys take place over the last few years, we saw a huge increase in IDRs that huge increase has been
thrown out when those, when those are repeal uh appealed. And because of that process, there's certain evidence is not allowed. What this bill does is open it up where all evidence is allowed and it fixes that process to help correct that high number of erroneous IRs, and with that, Madam Chair, I'd take any questions. Are there any questions from the members of the committee? See none.
Uh, is there anyone in the audience to speak for or against the bill? See none you recognized too
close for your bill. I'm closed, Madam Chair. Motion to pass. Second, all those in favor say aye and opposed, I have it. House Bill 1784 is passed. Thank you, Brown, as Representative Brown is coming to the table. I want to introduce our Senate pages that are with us today. Are you in the room? Awesome. OK, we're glad to have you, Kate Faulkner Pulaski Heights Middle School. She's here for Senator Tucker and Stella Kaine. Hi, glad to have you guys.
Stella is also here from Pulaski Heights Middle School. We will try to be on our best behavior, so you guys watch us and make sure that we're on our good behavior. Thank y'all for being with us. OK, Representative Matt Brown, House Bill 1679, I believe we have an amendment. Yes,
Chair
Unverified
2:42
ma'am, Madam Chair. Matt Brown House District 55.
OK, the, the house, this amendment just based it this amendment basically just clarifies the definition of determination of death. Do I have a motion to adopt the amendment?
Motion in a second. All those in paper say aye and opposed I have it, motion, uh, amendment is adopted, um, House Bill 1679, we've already heard, uh, is there a motion to, uh, do pass as amended. Is there a motion? And second, Second, all those in paper say aye and opposed, I have it, congratulations, you've passed your bill. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Alright, uh, Senator Davis.
here whenever. OK. This is House Bill 10004. Is that correct for Representative Pilkington. OK Brianne Davis, State Senate
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
3:48
District 25. Please proceed. Thank you, Madam
Chair. This is House Bill 1004. Um, and it deals with 12 month postpartum coverage, uh, we know that, um, the, the governor and multiple members of the legislature have been working very hard to address the issue in a very practical way with 12 months postpartum coverage, um, so this bill is very narrow, we've tailored it very narrowly to deal with a group of women who do not fall under AR homes.
So they are between 138 and 200% federal poverty line. So they actually fall through the cracks because they're not eligible to enter into um our homes for coverage. So this um and it it also ensured that we were not duplicating coverage, that was a concern to make sure that we were being very targeted in the way that we spent our dollars, um, to both cover women, um, but do it in a, in a prudent way with tax dollars. So we took the concerns about not duplicating coverage into account and, and we found this targeted solution, um, and that
is through chip funding. It's already being used for pregnancy Medicaid under the unborn child option and the unborn child option has been in the state plan since 2004, covering pregnant women up to the 209% federal poverty line. Excuse me, I misspoke earlier when I said 200%. So this would just be a companion piece to that by extending the coverage for 10 months because they currently have coverage, they qualify while they're pregnant, so they have 60 days postpartum, but this would just extend it
for 10 more months to cover it for 12 months total. Um, this approach is, like I said, there's already ip dollars that um are allocated for things like this, um, so it's very targeted. We know that 40% of women um are falling through the cracks and losing their coverage after 60 days postpartum, um, that number continues to rise a couple of years ago. It was about 33%, so we're seeing each year that number increase of new moms that are falling through
the cracks, and trying to take care of their new babies, some dealing with postpartum issues um and just needing to ensure that they continue to have medical coverage. Um, with that, I am happy to take any questions. Thank you. Are there
any questions from the members of the committee, and there is a fiscal impact statement that is attached
to the bill. Any other questions? OK. Without objection, know that we have a lot of people that are signed up for and against on this bill.
So, uh, we're gonna give you 2 minutes to make your statement without objection, if I can be overruled by the members of the committee. Is there any objection to that by the members of the committee? No. OK. So when you speak on this bill, you get
2 minutes and we will time you, OK? All right, so speaking, um, we'll go to, um, 4 and against, um, first we'll go to against Um, Janet Mann. If y'all want to come together, that's fine. Janet Mann and
Elizabeth Putnam. You're OK, OK. Good morning, Janet Man, DHS. And good morning, Elizabeth
Speaker 47
7:21
opportunity to speak, um, we are in opposition of HB 1004. Arkansas did pass Healy moms, Healthy Babies Act, which is investing $45 million in the
Medicaid spending on maternal health as Senator Davis referenced earlier in her testimony, we are in the process of implementing those rules to be live on 71 of this year, which will, um, unbundle payments and open up office visits in addition to lab and additional coverage. The bill was misrepresented in the House committee and it does have a fiscal impact, which I think that the chair has referred to the physical impact is approximately $11 million. It is
true that chip funds could be used to do, to be used for matching, which would change the state's share by approximately $400,000 in reduction. We, um,
Speaker 48
8:13
majority of the women who um are getting coverage, have
Speaker 47
8:18
been covered. There is um a difference in traditional Medicaid and our home, we cover up to 138% of the federal poverty level, pregnancy Medicaid does cover up to 209% of the federal poverty level
after 60 days. They do have the opportunity to go to the marketplace and receive care and coverage with subsidies for the 139 to the 209%. We have made additional steps to help ensure that coverage is. pre-losing their Medicaid coverage and post losing their Medicaid coverage. In addition, um, I would like to add we've started a uh report every quarter on who has lost coverage and have been sending that to the legislature for 2 quarters
now. In October through December, we would like to note that majority of the women that are losing coverage in this category, about 38% are undocumented or not US citizens. So with that, I will close. All right, thank you. Are there any questions from the members of the committee? Yes,
Senator Hill, what do you say the state's cost was on this? It's a total
Speaker 47
9:28
computable is approximately $11 million. The
state share is um state share under regular match rate would be $2.7 million in under using SIP funds would be $2.3 million. Thank you. And can you repeat
the last statement these days? about 38% were undocumented, illegal. Citizens, yes, ma'am. So
Speaker 48
9:53
we produce a report every quarter that was passed in special language and so
Speaker 47
9:59
um in our largest category um postpartum
is ending. There's about 905 um women in that category and 51% of those 38% of that is non-US citizens or undocumented, 42% have income over the 138. OK, thank you. I appreciate that. OK, thank you. OK,
no other questions from members of the committee. All right. Um, speaking for the bill, McKenzie Davis.
Thank you if you'll please state your name for
Speaker 59
10:51
the record. You have 2 minutes. There we go. Um, my name is McKenzie Foreman, um, and I am a licensed certified social worker and I am certified in perinatal mental health. I am the owner of Holding Space Counseling, which is a private practice in North Little Rock that focuses on maternal mental health and so today I'm here to testify in
support of Bill 1004. Maternal mental maternal health. cannot be separated from maternal mental health. As a social worker, I see firsthand the gaps in care that leave women vulnerable. Today I want to share a few of those stories whose lives were directly impacted by Medicaid policies that failed them. These cases are not rare. Research shows that women are at risk for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders from conception through 12 months
postpartum, at least 22 months for those that carry full term. Yet, Medicaid coverage ends too abruptly, creating dangerous gaps in care we know that um I treated maternal mental health conditions lead to poor birth outcomes, increased maternal mortality. and long term harm to both mother and baby, yet Medicaid disruptions leave too many without care. I've worked with a client who suffered a
miscarriage. She sought therapy and found a provider, but just one month into treatment, her Medicaid was cut off. No warning, no transition plan during the hardest time of her life, her access to maternal mental health was gone. I've worked with a woman who experienced a traumatic miscarriage. And when she became pregnant again, her Medicaid was dropped. By the time she made it to the doctor. Her baby had already died and
she had to endure the devastating reality of delivering a child that was dead. Oh thank you thank you. I
appreciate you being here. Thank you. Thank you so much. OK, LaToya Morgan. Were there any questions from members
of the committee? OK, then. Thank you. Latoya Morgan. Speaking for the bill, you have 2 minutes. Madam Chair, yes. Would you please make sure everyone gets a microphone up
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
13:14
to them. I do have my old hearing aids in. My new ones are dead
Speaker 68
13:19
and because if they, if, if I can't hear them, I
might as well leave the meeting. OK, yes, we want to hear you say you need to put that mic, just pull it up to you and then just there you go, you got 2 minutes. Can you hear me? Can you hear me loud and clear? Yeah, yeah, thank you. Please state your name for the record and you may proceed. Hi,
Latoya Morgan
Unverified
13:38
my name is LaToya Morgan and I am speaking for this bill. Thank you for the opportunity to speak on the legacy of my dear friend, Helena. Stanton, who tragically did not have the chance to raise her three precious daughters,
Caitlin and Kennedy and Kylie, I to give her birth, Helena had to be admitted to the hospital. 3 months prior to birth because of preeclampsia. Shortly after giving birth, Helena began experiencing severe difficulties with her mobility, struggling to move her limbs and ultimately breathe. She didn't have access to a doctor until it became an emergency because she didn't have access to Medicaid. But we initially thought would be a temporary issue turned to something more severe, leading to her hospitalization. May I
add that my dear friend was not treated like the sickest patient in the hospital. During this time, it made promise to Helena, one that I would relieve some of her burdens that she was carrying. I did not know that when I made this promise. That they would last an entire lifetime, you see, just 71 days after giving birth, my baby Kylie was still in NICU and UAMS Helina lost her life. No family should have to worry about how their loved one would be cared
for after childbirth, but should have been a joyous occasion for our family. It's time for celebration instantly turned into an unforgettable tragedy. Thank you. And this is a picture of highly because I want you to put a face. With this. And this is a picture of her other two daughters that no longer have their mother. And Kylie has never laid eyes on
her mother to her knowledge. The only thing that she has is our stories and pictures. Thank you. Thank
you for being here in your testimony.
Are there any questions from the members of the committee? Right, see you then, thank you so
much for being here. Uh, Zenobia Harris. Is Ms. Harris in the room? Thank you. You have 2 minutes. But
If you'll just state your name for the record. Yeah, you're fine. We don't
Speaker 60
15:57
start the clock until you start talking. Good morning.
Zenobia Harris
Unverified
16:00
My name is Zenobia Harris. I'm a registered nurse and I'm also executive director of the Arkansas Birthing Project. We provide local uh mentors training to provide support to women during pregnancy and for the first year of life for their babies, and I've had the distinct pleasure honor or responsibility myself of actually helping women try to navigate through applying for
Medicaid during pregnancy. Uh, we've had several women who've had difficulty getting on Medicaid for various reasons. Uh, it, it is not a seamless process, and I also had uh a woman who I've worked with who actually got cut off Medicaid, um, prior to her baby being born and uh we had to do a lot of advocacy and work and uh for her to be able to get uh coverage so that the birth of her baby would be covered and she would have coverage during her delivery and
postpartum. Arkansas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the United States of America. We've done a lot of work to address this maternal mortality. the issue, but we need to do a little bit more to make sure that the women who are giving birth in our state, give birth to healthy children and give birth and, and are able to live to care for their children. So I want you to please consider um addressing this great need that we have in our communities. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any questions?
Thank you. All right, uh, Ms. Stephanie Garner.
Stephanie Garner
Unverified
17:33
Thank you for being here. If you'll just state your name for the record. Thank
Speaker 81
17:39
you. My name is Stephanie Garner and I'm CEO of RAC, um, which is the parent company of Lake Point Recovery and Wellness in Russellville, Arkansas. Um, we specialize in serving mothers and children, and every day I see firsthand how critical Medicaid is not only in supporting mothers in recovery, but also helping families heal and remain together. This past year we've served over 390 individuals, 43% of whom are
women. Of those women, 93% are white, 5% are black, and 2% are Hispanic. Above those enrolled in our specialized women's services program, 59%. are on are eligible for Medicaid. Unfortunately, many of these mothers face a care gap due to the current 60 day postpartum Medicaid limit. Substance use disorders and mental health conditions don't resolve in 2 months. When coverage ends, I've seen women relapse, return to unsafe environments or even lose
custody of their children, not because they didn't want to get better, but because they lost access to care that was helping them recover. A common barrier in addressing due to instability. Many of the women in our program move 5 or more times in a year, often, often missing renewal notices or struggling to verify their eligibility due to housing insecurity. This instability leads to lapses in Medicaid coverage, making it extremely difficult to continue accessing behavioral health, medical,
prenatal, or postpartum care, all of which are vital for their long term recovery and ability to parent. Without consistent coverage. even those who are making progress can find themselves slipping backwards. In fact, 80% of the women currently in our care have a pregnancy-related complication that impacts both their physical and mental health. And those conditions often worsen without continuous treatment and support. Extending postpartum Medicaid coverage to
Speaker 83
19:40
12 months is a crucial step. Thank you very much. Thank you wrapped it up super
fast. Any questions from members of the committee? Thank you. Seeing Nunn. Thank you so much. We have one last person, Danielle Wright. You'll just come to the table and state your name for the
committee, that would be great. Thank you for being with us this morning. Good
Danielle Wright
Unverified
20:01
morning. Thank you guys so much for hearing me today. My name is Danielle Wright. Um, I come to
Speaker 85
20:06
you all today with just like many mothers, many roles for myself as a
breastfeeding specialist and a mom from Tuckerman, Arkansas, the county being Jackson County. I personally experienced losing coverage after having my one year old son, who also temporarily also lost his coverage. This was extremely difficult because recovering from an emergency C-section that was completely unplanned, caring for two other children as a single mother and seeking mental health. therapy for myself at one point even finding myself crying in a DHS office because I was having to prove
a very difficult moment that I was not ready to relieve to experience and relive in that moment because I could not get help. Moms and families need support during this time. And this bill would make sure moms and other families just like me don't have to go through. This without postpartum care. Thank you so much for your time and your consideration and I'm glad to be here today. Thank you. Thank you. We have a question, Senator Payton. Actually I have a question
for the bill's sponsor. I didn't know when
would be the proper time, well, any questions for this young lady? Yes, Representative, I mean, I'm sorry, Senator Ludding, you were here last week in committee,
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
21:25
waited all day and you had your three children here with you. I appreciate you coming back to share your thoughts with us. Thank you so much. won't
give up. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions for this young lady. Thank you so much, Ms. Danielle Wright. Thank you. Um, any other,
OK, so Senator Peyton, you're recognized for question of the committee. Senator Davis. Thank you, Madam
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
21:46
Chair. So this says it's an extension and based on looking at the fiscal impact, evidently We currently have a 2 month period that we, that they're covered. That's correct, 60 days. This group of women. So currently they're
covered for 2 months, and this would add
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
22:02
10 months. Does is there any difference in coverage? Um, no, and it just extends the coverage for 10 months
so then can you explain what that coverage
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
22:12
is? Is it just like full Medicaid for any problem
that they have, or is it somehow specific to the pregnancy and complications. I mean, I'll let
DHS come up and speak specifically to that, if you're OK with that, so don't misspeak, but it extends that I'm trying
to figure that out. Yes, please come forward
Speaker 102
22:32
and state your name for the record. Yes, again, Elizabeth Pittman with Department of Human Services, and so this is specific to women in our pregnant women's category and Extends our pregnant women's coverage. That coverage, I think as of 20203 was extended to include our full range of
benefits. So it is everything that Medicaid has. Cos all
Senator John Payton
Unverified
22:52
it's just Medicaid coverage. It's not specific to any complications. No, sir, as part of the efforts of the previous governor
Speaker 102
22:58
and to help maternal health in Arkansas, we used to be limited pregnant women's coverage, so it was tied to something that, uh, put the pregnancy in jeopardy or was in some way pregnancy related, but in an effort to improve maternal health in Arkansas. We extended that, I believe January 1st of 2023 was the effective date of
that, and it now includes all Medicaid benefits. So now women can access mental health care and everything like that. So anyway,
Senator John Payton
Unverified
23:26
I'm just trying to sort it out in my head, like if they needed a knee replacement. I mean it cover it. OK, thank you.
Thank you, Senator Wallace. You're recognized for a question. Thank you. This
Chair
Unverified
23:36
is the question. Thank you, Madam Chair. This is
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
23:41
a question for DHS. Yes, sir, sorry. I appreciate you being here, uh. Money's tight. Do we have any
idea? Uh, what percentage, if any, of illegal immigrants. would be benefiting from this? Yes, Ms. Meehan testified as to that earlier, and
Speaker 100
24:00
I'm trying to remember those exact numbers 38% of the women who are
Speaker 102
24:06
losing coverage are considered undocumented or illegal. Yes, sir. And that's of the women losing
Any other questions from members of the committee. All right, seeing none,
nobody else is here to speak for or against the bill. You recognize the clothes for
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
24:31
your bill. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, in closing, I would just like to say a few different things. One, I just want to reiterate how much that myself and a Representative Pilkington respect the work of the governor of the members both in the House and Senate and others that have worked very hard to address the 12-month postpartum coverage. Um, it's been a long extensive effort, um, and there's been a lot of meetings and a lot of
work on it to get it right for the state. So, um, this bill is just simply a companion piece to that. It builds on the work that is being done. The work in the 12-month postpartum coverage does not include these women. This is a group of women that fall between 138 and 209% of the federal poverty line. So they are not included to be eligible for AR homes. So we are simply trying to say that women, this small group of women, um,
will not lose their coverage that they'll still be able to have it after the 60 days just like all the other women that fall and qu al ify for AR homes that they have access to medical appointments after having a baby that they have the ability to have mental health appointments. A lot of women suffer with postpartum. There's a lot of services that these new moms need and supports and we are number one, in maternal deaths in the country and infant deaths in the country, like we have got to
address this holistically. And like I said, I, I think there's been a lot of really good work done. Um, but it has not included this group of women, so none of these services are duplicative. It's a group that um we're just letting fall off in large numbers. I think that like they said, like 42% of women are falling off in this category. And so it's imperative, imperative that um we continue that 10-month coverage for these women. We've been using chip funds for this group, this group
of women, since 2004. We've included them in coverage up to 60 days. Um, so this is nothing new, it's something we've been doing and we should extend that same coverage to this group of women as we're doing to all the other women who do qualify for AR homes. Um, in regards to the undocumented, the 38% of undocumented um people, women that have coverage. Um, to that, I would say it's not all illegal immigrants, and there's a lot of different
definitions of undocumented, um, and the solution to that is simple. Include in the state plan amendment that if you are not a legal citizen, you do not qualify for these benefits. The state has been paying if if if that number is accurate, if 38% is accurate. The state has been covering these women since 2004. And now it's a problem. So if we want to address the issue, then we can put it in the state plan amendment that it
will only cover citizens and the great news on that is it'll actually make the fiscal impact statement even smaller. The state share under this bill is $2.3 million using chip funds. That's the state share. And if 38% of those women are undocumented, then let's write it in the state plan when we submit it to CMS and say only legal residents. and have access to these funds and that will make the state share even smaller. So, um, I think that's an easy thing that
the state can address and Like I said, there's story after story, um, of heartache that when women have gone through losing coverage, being new moms, it's a scary time. It's an emotional time. Um, our bodies are doing a lot of recovering after we grow and birth the human, um, and it takes a while to recover and sometimes we need extra supports and services, and we're leaving a group of women out that qualify for 60 days, but do not qualify under AR homes, and I think it's, um, our
responsibility as a state to make sure that these women are
covered for 12 months. With that, I'm close, I've asked for a good vote. Thank you. Thank you.
Speaker 117
28:43
Um, what's the pleasure of the committee? Is
there a second? Second, um, all right, any discussion? I have a discussion we cover emergencies for undocumented, but we cannot cover and we can't cover for regular services. So I
just want to make sure that that is information that's corrected that was sent to me from DHS. So we do cover emergencies for undocumented citizens, but we do not and can't cover for regular services. We don't cover them now. And that's
information that I got from DHS. Any other points of discussion. All right, see none, all those in favor say aye and opposed
no have it, sorry, the bill fails. Thank you.
OK, we have, uh, let's see, it's Representative Lee Johnson in the room. OK. Yes. the OK, I'm
sorry. Yes, she is. The sun is blocking my thank you, that's such a gentleman. Representative Lundstrom, thank you. Thank you, Representative Johnson.
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
30:05
House Bill 1768 is what I'm bringing before you today, OK? Currently, if you have a host fee with a landfill, there are many cities and counties that have failed to do something very important, and that's have a start date and an end date. This simply asks to be a start date, an end date, or a renewal date. It also asks, and I think this is the most important part is that contracts be voted on in front of your city council.
And approved by your city council. So with that, I would have
entertained any questions. Are there any questions
from the members of the committee? Any questions? No? OK. Anyone
here to speak for or against House Bill 1768. 0, you have a question. Yes, please. Did you ever get the uh layout that Senator
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
30:52
Peyton asked about as far as that was on that was on a different bill, but you did bring
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
30:57
up something I want to thank the County Judges Association for helping me perfect this bill, which is why it took a little longer to get here. OK.
Yeah, I appreciate that. Any other questions, Senator Love?
Speaker 135
31:13
OK, so Is there any opposition to this bill? No, there currently isn't,
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
31:17
but there is something that I discovered that y'all need to know about. There's such a thing in the city councils that are called Evergreen contracts, they just never go away as a mayor, an older mayor from the past will sometimes sign a contract with no end date. That doesn't need to happen. It needs to be renewed or updated, and this allows for that every 4 years, and that was something that Senator Love, I, so when you run
a bill, you learn a lot of things and that was something I learned that I think will be important for all of to
now. OK. All right, thank you. Good information. Thank you. Any other questions from the members of the committee, right? See none, uh, nobody is, is anyone
here to speak for or against House Bill 1768. I may have already said that. No. All right,
uh, your clothes for your bill? Are you close for your bill? Yes, ma'am, and I would appreciate a good vote. Motion to pass and 2nd, all those in favor say aye. Thank you and opposed. I have it.
House Bill 1768 is passed. Thank you,
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
32:14
colleagues. Thank you for your time. Do you have another one? No, ma'am. I'm, I would prefer to put that one on deferred. I think it needs
Speaker 25
32:21
a little bit more polishing, OK? We'll put
that bit. What's that number? Thank you, ma'am. 1576 will move to deferred. Thank you. OK, uh, Representative Johnson,
is there any other, OK. Please state your name for the record. Representative Lee Johnson, District 47.
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
32:46
Madam Chair, if I may, I'd like to pass over a House Bill 1251, but I'm happy to run the rest in the order
of the agenda. What bill number? thank you. House Bill 145858, uh,
state your name for the record, you may proceed. Representative
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
33:05
Lee Johnson. OK, please proceed. Members currently in the state of Arkansas through the medical board. We have a centralized credentialing service that gathers all the credentialing information from physicians for many years now we've included the DEA number as part of that information that's collected. It
came to the attention of the Attorney General's office and the Department of Health over the interim, that that might not be federally allowed and so all we're doing with this bill is removing the requirement to submit your DEA as part of your centralized credentialing, that still can be asked for by the hospitals and insurance companies, but it apparently is potentially in violation of federal law if we're doing that as a state through the medical board, and I'd be happy to answer any questions and I'm sure Department of Health in the room, if you have any questions. Yep, that's, that's right. Any questions from members of the
committee. See none. Anyone here to speak for or against House Bill 1458, 9, you're recognized the clothes for your bill. Thank you, motion do pass. Second, all those in favor say aye and opposed, I have it House Bill 1458 is passed. Next, 118 1185115 is a dietary compact. It's like
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
34:05
a lot of the compacts we've run this session. Um, it was brought to me by the dietitians. I don't know of any opposition to the compact. There is language in the compact on page 27 that's similar to the
other language we've included in all the compacts allowing delegatory authority to the General Assembly and Legislative counsel. I'd be happy to answer any questions on the compact bill. OK, questions, Senator Payton. Do we
Senator John Payton
Unverified
34:30
get representation on their board and is it cancelable? Yes and yes. Thank you. OK. Any other questions from members of
the committee? See none anyone here to speak for or against House Bill
1185. See none, you close for your bill? I'm close to my, madam and motion to pass 2nd, all those in
favor say aye. And a post, I have it. Congratulations, you passed your bill. Next bill 1285. House Bill 1285.
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
34:59
Please proceed. Members' last session we passed some legislation to empower ambulances to treat patients in place and get paid for that process. We called that ET3 emergency treat transport or triage. Um, one of the things that required was a telehealth interaction between a physician and the ambulance service before they could treat in place in the interim, the ambulance services
came to me and and approached me about some times that where some things have been called out on that were very minor complaints. Uh, for instance, let's say you're on a blood thinner and you catch your finger doing the dishes and you're scared, right? So you call 911, the ambulance shows up, and you know, then it's basically just a very small cut. The bleeding stopped. They have a band-aid on it. They don't want to transport. That's in under the current statute, the only way the ambulance service would get paid as if they did a telehealth visit with a physician. They they brought to me several different scenarios where they felt like a
toff visit might be exempted, and so they asked for a process to try to come up with an exemption. So what we did is we talked to the Department of Health. We have in the Department of Health an emergency advisory committee, and this bill tasks that committee with coming up with some protocols they feel like are safe to exempt from the telehealth requirement and then services would be able to adopt those protocols if their medical director approved them. It also allows services to petition this committee for other protocols, you know, I, I was a little concerned about the spill out of the gate because I don't want to
create a scenario where we're taking the physician out of the loop. In the field, but I also recognize that there are some minor things that come up periodically that people call 911 about and sometimes there are some technical issues with the telehealth process to make it a challenge, and I want to recognize that and I do think there are safe ways to approach this, and I think to the experts on the emergency medical advisory Committee at the Department of Health, they can come up with some safe protocols, and I'd be happy to answer any questions on the bill. OK, I have questions. Who who consists of the medical, who
who makes up this emergency medical services
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
36:52
at council. So right now it's a 17-person advisory council that consists
of multiple members of the EMS community, physicians, also members of, you know, the consumers. There is a bill that I'm going to present later that actually condenses that committee and outlines it in statutes so you can see exactly who's on the committee then the new one would be an 11 member board, um, but it's, it's physicians, it's CMS members
that bill before us right now?
It will be. OK, can we pull spill down until that other bill gets here because I have some concern about us relinquishing our power over to, uh, this undefined in statute council number one, and then 2, I would say for me, the way I read this bill, I would want to know that from a legislative council, uh, or something, a perspective because this could, um, open up things that we may or may not
want to be opened up, utilizing under the umbrella. of telemedicine, and I just don't want us to have any scope, creep, you know, and
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
37:58
I don't, I don't, yes, it does, and I have some of those same concerns, so I try to be thoughtful. I'll pull
this down if you'd like we can present. I would appreciate that, for sure. 1797. OK. House Bill 1797. OK.
So House School 1797 is the
bill that I referenced. So, I'm sorry. I gotta have better readers. OK, yeah.
Yeah, 77. Thank you, Senator Payton. So currently in the Department of Health, there's an EMS section and there's an EMS advisory council, Governors Advisory Council, but the council doesn't have any regulatory authority, um. So any issue that comes up with a paramedic, with an EMT, with a
hospital ambulance service, that issue gets adjudicated through a subcommittee of the General Board of Health. That's current state. Sometimes that subcommittee might consist of a cosmetologist or, or, you know, water treatment engineer, it doesn't necessarily consist of anyone with any medical authority. And so what we're trying to do in this bill is reconstitute how we govern EMS and the Department of Health and make it more like what we do with cosmetology and orthotics and prosthetics, and we're also streamlining this. Committee. So one of the problems that we had with this committee since it's been established is with 17 members.
They've had some challenges getting a quorum. And so we're reducing that to 11, and I'm trying to find the right and this is a big bill because yeah, this is
a big bill because everywhere to strike striking a lot of things and moving the authority to this committee. So if you look at page, uh, beginning on page 11, Section 17. 1 member is an emergency medical services, medical director of a ground ambulance, that would be a physician. One member who is an emergency
certified by the Arkansas, so this would be an ER doctor. Uh, one member that's a consumer, that's number 3. One member that's a paramedic for a ground service number 4. One member at large who is a medical services clinician, that could be an EMT or paramedic. One from an air medical service that's a paramedic. And one from a government service, some EMS services are private. Some are government
run, um, local county services, um, and then, uh, One from a private group of EMS who we're trying to get representation from each type of EMS services, one who is military and one who is fire-based, and the one that said director of a program, so we have physicians, we have EMS educators, we have members of different types of EMS services, including
air ambulance. They would all be sitting on this committee and helping adjudicate issues that come up in the pre-hospital space.
OK, but it's heavy on EMT paramedic versus physician. that concerning to you? I mean, I'm the Senate sponsor, but I'm just,
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
41:07
I think I'm OK with that. It, it doesn't, it's, it's not the proportion is not markedly different
from what we have in current statute, and I think the physicians will have a strong voice in that. The other thing I'm comfortable with is anything that comes out of this committee would have to be like in with regard to protocols would have to ultimately be approved by the medical director of each service. So the physician,
medical director of EMS Service where there's ground or air is still gonna have control over any
protocols or anything that comes out of that from an adjudication standpoint, I'm OK with it being heavy on medics because most of the issues, you know, when I was on the board of health, um, I got called into a lot of these hearings and it's almost always a medic or an EMT that's sitting in the hearing, and while I understand prehospital medicine, I'm not a peer necessarily with the paramedics. So from the standpoint of adjudication, adjudication of issues that may
arise. I like having paramedics, EMTs, because I think they understand better the issues that these folks are going through just like I like having physicians on the medical board. Um, we talked about trying to create a new board, but we felt like that was going to be burdensome for the state to have a separate board for medics, which is why we're trying to create this committee for better governance. OK, I
got it. Any questions from members of the committee? All right, see
none, uh, any, anyone here to speak for or against 1767.
Motion do pass 2nd, all those in favor say aye, bless you. I have it. Uh, OK, House Bill 1767 passes. Now let's go back to Houseville 1285 because now it makes sense. Yes, so 1295, this would be referred
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
42:53
to this committee to be to be clear, all we're
trying to say is there are certain circumstances where a 911 call is minor enough that they could have and they would
have to have physician approved protocols to say what those were, and there'd be two Players to control the committee and them. OK, thank
you. Any questions from members of the committee, Senator Payton I just would
Senator John Payton
Unverified
43:16
appreciate it if you'd said it this way. It is a defined list and only the things on that list will be what they can address. It will, it will be a defined
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
43:24
set of protocols and the only thing they could do is adopt those protocols, those protocols will be developed to a list is different. I think a list is these are the conditions
Speaker 167
43:36
that a correcting me on that, yeah, yeah, that's correct. Thank you. Any other questions from members of
the committee? See none. Anyone here to speak for or against House Bill 1285, 9, you recognize the clothes for your clothes for my bill, madam Chair. Thank you.
Motion to pass. Second, all those in favor say aye and it posts habit House Bill 1285 is passed. Thank you. All right, next 1252. Members, this is a bill that got delayed.
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
44:03
It was part of uh the the maternal health package from the
governor. We had a similar bill with community health workers. This one had was waiting on a fiscal impact statements in your poets. And so essentially with this, we're doing the same thing we did with community health workers. We're creating a certification process for doulas in the state and then creating a reimbursement mechanism for them. Um, this was worked on a great links with the Doula Association of Arkansas, DAR, um, and the pathways to certification are agreed upon between the Department of Health and the Doula Association. I'd be happy to answer any
questions. So again, this is one of the
certification pieces that are part of the Healthy Moms, healthy babies uh initiative and, um, so.
There, there's kind of a package of bills
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
44:50
that governor agreed to support community health workers and doulas. This is the process to allow that reimbursement for those services. OK, thank you. Yes, Senator
Payton, you recognized. I think it's important since we broadcast
Senator John Payton
Unverified
45:02
these meetings to the public and people are out there. I think we should say what a
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
45:10
doula is, of course, no, I think that I think you're right, Senator Payton, that's a good point. I mean, we get to the end of the session and we say these bills fast and do have been working in Arkansas for over a decade, uh, dealers are, uh, typically women that help other women through their pregnancy, right, they counsel them about what it's like to be pregnant to help facilitate care through the pregnancy to help coach them through the pregnancy and the postpartum period as well, and they have been playing a vital role in the maternal health process for many years in. So now this is validating the things that they do. OK, thank
you. Thank you. Good explanation. Um, and I know that there's a lot of support for this legislation. They're just not here to speak for it. Um, Any other questions from members of the committee. See none anyone here to speak for
or against House Bill 1252. See none. You're recognized to clothes for your bills. Clothes for my bill, Madam Chair, motion to pass. Second, all those papers say aye and opposed I have it. Congratulations. House Bill 1252 is passed. Do you have
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
46:14
more? I do. I spell 1585585. It's Lee Johnson Day. Appreciate your patience. Um, so hospital 1585. If you look at that bill currently in statute, there's a list of people are exempt under the statute from licensure. You can see that it's at the bottom of page one or registered nurse, a vocational nurse, a physical therapist, and occupational therapist, a speech therapist. We're adding language in lines 6 through 8 on
page 2, that clarifies that an entity
That it employs or provides the services of a in those those codes there reference the code
for a physical therapist and occupational therapist or a speech therapist. So we already do not require a licensure for those 3 services. We're just saying that an entity That provides these services or employs these people also doesn't require a licensure. There was some question as to whether an entity would need one or not. This is just clarifying that they don't. Happy to answer your questions. Thank you. Are there any
questions from the members of the committee? No questions. All
right, see none. Anyone here to speak for or against the bill? But please come forward. Please state your name for the record and
then you're recognized. Yes, good morning. Chairman and committee.
Charlie Martin
Unverified
47:39
My name is Charlie Martin. I'm the executive director of the Home Care Association of Arkansas and uh
This bill, uh, we're protect anything that has to do with the permit of approval for home health services and you know, there's a little bit of a concern about the definition of doing a outpatient service in the home and uh while that's currently, I think that came into play during COVID with CMS and I think it's in play with uh Part B plans uh under Medicare. Now again, this is Medicare, not Medicaid. And And uh this could be something that Medicare might take, we
think might take away, uh, in the future, and if it does, if this were to pass, then uh, then, you know, the state, state law might be in some sort of disagreement with with a federal requirement and you know, I don't know where that will lead us, but uh right now, this service can be can be provided in the home right now under the current, under the current Part B plans. So we just bring that up as an area of concern. Anytime. Something comes up with a permit of approval or certificate of need, we kind of, it kind of
raises our, our concern a little bit and again, there's nothing in this bill that won't allow this service to be provided in the home at the present time. I'll be glad to answer any questions. Thank you. Are there questions from
the members of the committee? You're speaking for or against? It will be against the bill, OK. Uh, any questions from members of the committee? OK, see no, I appreciate your testimony. Thank you. Representative Johnson, any other questions for the first I heard the opposition to the bill
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
49:23
and um I'm happy to do you anticipate y'all will meet again next week? Yeah, yes, we will you want to pull it down? This is the first I've heard of any opposition to this bill, and I'm happy to wait and run this bill next Monday if that's OK with the committee, and I'll pull it down. I'll talk to this gentleman and see what's going on, that should still give us time and See if I can address any concerns because I don't know exactly how to answer his questions because again, this is the first time I've heard any concern, I want to make, you know, I wanna make a fair attempt how about you, y'all go
and visit right now together, and we'll let you take a break and um Senator Flippo, I think you've got some bills we need to
go to. Uh, why don't y'all go in the hallway and see what you can hash out, that'd be great. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank the committee. These bills are so
Speaker 183
50:09
simple. I'm gonna let my friend Matt Gilmore run through them real fast, OK, we're going to start we'll start with 1439. This is a 1439. I haven't read it yet, but I will by tonight.
Speaker 184
50:24
What you got here. OK, we, we don't need
Senator Filippo to say his name for the record. Matt Gilmore, Department of Health. Thank you.
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
50:36
Thank you. Uh, this is an agency bill. This is a streamlining the process for private care, licensure, uh, it's a lot of back and forth between us and DHS when an agency is trying to get licensed, so this will uh remove one of those steps and
make it a little bit simpler for them and for us and the whole process. All right, any questions from
the members of the committee? Say none. Anyone here to speak for or against 1439, see none, um, you've clothes for
a motion motion to pass. Is there a second, 2nd, all those in favor say aye and
opposed, I have it. Congratulations, you passed your bill. Next bill. This is the real meaty bill right here. This
Speaker 190
51:13
is House Bill 1471. Do you think you can articulate this one that, or you let
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
51:18
you do it 1471. Yeah, this is a bill that allows the board of examiners and speech
language pathology to uh move their renewal date um to make it easier for folks in the industry, um, they want to be have to be able to set that in rule and that'll be a little bit more flexible and work with the industry to make it easier on the folks that teach in the
Speaker 15
51:43
schools and that sort of thing. OK, any questions from the members
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
51:46
of the committee? could not have said that better myself, Matt. I'm closed
for my bill. OK, you're closed. Anyone here to speak for or against 1471. See none, your clothes, motion to pass. Make a motion. Second,
all those in favor say aye and opposed, I have it. Congratulations, bills
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
52:05
passed. OK, uh, Senator Hill, Madam Chair, while Senator Flippo is down there, can you go ahead and run HB 1456. Bring it on down here, Mr. Hill. Have a
Speaker 183
52:18
seat, man. 1456. a heavy bills of multiple pages. Oh, golly. This is uh 1456. We give you the hard stuff, yeah, to amend the
state Kidney Disease commission and to be an advisory council to the Department of Health. Am I missing anything there? You got it. It's uh this is a a program commission
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
52:36
in the department and we want to make it an advisory council, just make it a little bit more efficient. It'll still be appointments. There will still be such a matter of experts involved, but just streamline the process and make it more of a program and uh a counsel with the program instead of the commission. Thank you. Any questions from members of the committee, Senator Love.
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
53:00
So, so tell me exactly what's the difference between it being a commission and an
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
53:05
advisory, Governor appointee, just getting those appointments filled, this will, this will allow the Secretary of Health to do that and just make it a little bit faster, get those appointments done and um Not quite as formal but still have subject matter experts involved
from the public involved as far as on
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
53:21
the council. So now the director, the Secretary
of Health makes the appointment are these people confirmed by the Senate?
Uh, they would the Senate then that they're not going to be confirmed by us anymore. Is that what
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
53:36
you're saying? Correct they'd be, but they would go before I believe the uh Board of
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
53:41
Health. OK, but that's not coming before the Senate. Correct. It's a,
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
53:44
it's an effort to reduce the number of boards and commissions in the state and to uh you know, make it a little bit more, um, I got some help coming here. Please take your name for the record.
Speaker 201
54:01
There we go. There we go. Charles Thompson, attorney, Arkansas Department of Health, Senator Love, thank you for the question. What it boils down to is that it's going to go before the Board of Health for the for the final confirmation. The issue was this was they were stand alone, the Arkansas Kidney Disease Commission was in rehab services in 2019, and they felt it was better to put them under us with reorganization that came in under us during reorganization. We realized that we could be even more efficient and programmatically as if we could if it was um
similar to other advisory councils, they'll still be approving things. They'll still be recommending rule changes as necessary that will go before the Board of Health like any other learned advisory counsel. It's just making it easier, especially when it comes to a very niche area where sometimes we have, it takes a while to get some people, um, get people appointed to get people interested with going to the board of health, we can go to any board of health meeting, get our nominees, have them here, and have those folks in there and making great decisions. So it's really an efficiency thing is all this is.
What is still operating as a standalone commission under ADH. It's an advisory council still doing good work more efficiently and we have other councils similar
Matt Gilmore
Unverified
55:09
to this under the Department of Health under the Board of Health now. All right, so
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
55:15
as, as I said before, these commissioners are appointed by the governor. They confirmed by the Senate. That's correct. And so we're removing that. Is that correct? OK. All right, thank you. Any other questions from the members of the committee?
Right, see none. Anyone here to speak for or
against this bill, 1456 scene none, your closed for your meal? Mr. Gilmore and I are
Speaker 184
55:42
closed for Senator Hill's bill. I make a motion to
pass. Is there a second from Senator Hill. All those in favor say aye and opposed. Did you want
discussion? I'm sorry. Go ahead, Senator Love. OK, thank you and colleagues,
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
55:56
I'm just gonna say this whenever, whenever we do something like this and then we relinquish that that authority over the Senate from the Senate. I mean, I'm not
saying that the Department of Health doesn't have a board of health doesn't have able able people to to um to pick and choose people, but what I am saying is that you're
reducing the power of the Senate by actually turning this bill over to him, so I'll be a no vote. Thank you. Thank you.
Any other points of discussion? All right, say none. I'll take one more
Speaker 184
56:28
point. The governor did agree for confirmation for commissioners to game and fish, which I think is a fair and equitable trade-off to Do away with confirmation to
this. OK. It's reasonable. Any any other points of discussion. All right,
see, none, all those in favor say aye and opposed. I have it.
Bill passes. Thank you. Uh, Representative Von. Representative V Yes, Representative thought. speaker and
Speaker 208
57:04
she said OK, Representative Brown, do you
Speaker 115
57:08
have another bill? OK. Representative Brown. What bill is this? 1891893. Sorry, my computer battery dies. I'm using
Representative David Ray
Unverified
57:26
my phone. Uh, Matt Brownhouse District 55. Uh, thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, I'm sorry, this was 18. I just
Chair
Unverified
57:38
said the number. I'm sorry, 1893. Colleagues, this bill regards emotional support animals, um, first thing I want to make clear at the very beginning is that there is something called a service animal, and then there's emotional support animals. This bill in no way, shape, or form touch a service animals. These are the traditional trained dogs and things of that nature like a seeing eye dog, you know, the legitimate that help people with disabilities. Emotional support animals though are when you have the little yippy dog in the grocery store, the movie
theater, the restaurant that someone has brought in saying this is my emotional support and well, therefore you have to let me have it. Uh, I would like to make clear too what this bill does is it provides that a private property owner to the extent that they're permitted to under the Fair Housing Act would be able to have the ability to ban emotional support animals from their place of business by putting a sign at the front door. Uh, one thing I've noticed during this session is that a lot of the restaurants down there like Riverdale area and parts of Little Rock actually have started doing this. They're putting signs saying, you know, service animal is welcome, emotional support animals are not welcome. This simply gives those business a little bit of
law that they can rely upon and make it clear that they can ban them by posting it. Posing the sign, they don't have to individually tell people, hey, your dog's not welcome here, etc. Uh, the second thing the bill does, it does provide some protection for these businesses that if an emotional supporting email is in the business, and let's say it bites somebody, then they need to sue the owner and not try to sue the deep pockets of the business unless the business acted with some sort of, you know, gross negligence or some higher level of negligence. So, and the reason for that is we don't want to enter into a situation where there's a sign on the door, no support animals. Somebody sneaks one in, that dog bites somebody and the next thing you know
they're suing the business saying, hey, you didn't catch this, you're on the h book, etc. etc. We didn't want to create any liability by giving this opportunity, and I'd be glad to answer any questions the Kitty may
have, OK, Senator Payton, you're recognized for a question.
Senator John Payton
Unverified
59:22
Thanks. So several times you mentioned the dog, but just to be clear, this was the plot of the cats and chickens and other things too, right? Yes, Senator,
Representative David Ray
Unverified
59:29
and they've gotten very creative on what constitutes a emotional support animal. Thank you sir. Yeah, I have horses that would be
considered an emotional support animals, and so I'm not
sure that a grocery store would want us to bring my horse in just teasing. Senator Lo recognize her question, and I'm just
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
59:48
going to ask, is any of this covered under the ADA? No, sir. Emotional support animals
Speaker 211
59:53
are not Service animals are not emotional support animals. I'm sorry, Senator. I just wanted to, OK, thank you. Thank you. Any other questions from members of
the committee? All right, see none. Anyone here to speak for or against this bill. All right, see no, you recognize
the clothes for your bill. I'm closed, Madam
Speaker 217
1:00:14
Chair, and I'd greatly appreciate a motion.
Ocean Du Pass 2nd, any discussion? We have any emotional support animals in the room. There's so many good things that
we could have been talking about with this bill, but I'll let it go. All
those in favor say aye and opposed. I just have it. Thank you. You. But we could have had so much more fun with that bill.
Representative. I didn't be ejected. Thank you,
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:00:52
ma'am. Sorry, I'm running between committees and which bill you got? Uh, Do you want to start with a pain parity House Bill 1186, OK? Um House Bill 1186s DHS to ensure that utilization management requirements such as prior authorization requirements for
FDA approved non-opioids are more, no more restrictive than the least restrictive requirements set for opioids. So an example would be DHS current opioid prescribing criteria indicates that for patients who are a new start to opioid. therapy Um, a prior authorization is not required for a seven-day supply of um short acting opioids, um,
the legislation does not tell providers what to prescribe it simply ensures that non-opioids are every bit as accessible as opioids. Uh, a number of states already do this in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana have already taken action on pay parity legislation. Bills in those three states all passed unanimously with bipartisan support, uh, and we're signed into law. Uh, there's 18 additional states that are actively considering
this type of parity legislation this this year, um. The the the polic policy consideration is straightforward. Should opioids be easier to prescribe than non-opioid alternatives. And I don't think they should be. And with that, I try to answer questions, but I might have to have somebody come sit beside me. Oh, OK, thank you. Any questions from the members
of the committee. DHS, so y'all, y'all worked with it, OK, thumbs up back there. Any other questions from the members of the committee? All
right, see none, um, anyone here to speak for or against House Bill 1186. seen none you recognize to close for your bill. I'm closing and
I would appreciate a good vote. OK, motion to pass. Second, all those in favor say aye and opposed. I have it. Congratulations. House Bill 1186 is passed. Thank you, ma'am. Can we do House Bill 1187, and I
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:03:04
have a guest, OK, they'll come to the table. you'll just state your name for the record, you can be recognized.
Speaker 221
1:03:18
And we have a handout, um, which is fine. I'm Roger Smith with the
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:03:26
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Thank you. Please proceed. To keep from being redundant, can I let him speak and then I can help on the backside of it, ma'am. Yes ma'am. I know you
have a large agenda. It's OK, go right ahead, please. Thank you. Good
Speaker 221
1:03:40
morning, Madam Chair, Vice Chair Wallace, and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to speak about House Bill 1187 legislation sponsored by
Representative Walton Senator Payton that would allow additional mental health provider, mental health therapists to practice in Arkansas. I'm here on behalf of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, which represents 81,000 licensed marriage and family therapists in the United States. Family therapists, also known as MFTs or mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems in Arkansas, MFTs have been licensed. Since 1997 by the Board of Examiners and counseling. As you know, Arkansas's a dire mental health professional shortage 2024 state of mental health in America report ranked
Arkansas 40th first in the country regarding access to care, the impacts of access to care issues are even greater for those in historically underserved populations, including rural communities. E 1187 helps address the behavioral health workforce shortage in Arkansas by removing unnecessary barriers to licensure by endorsement, which would encourage more experienced MFTs to work across state lines. Under this bill, out of state license license, marriage and family. Therapists would receive a full unrestricted Arkansas license if they hold a valid unrestricted
MFT license in other state complete an application and pay the required state fees. Many other states have either already adopted portability laws that are almost identical to this bill or currently considering them during the 2024 legislative session, bills to remove barriers to licensure by endorsement or signed into law in 7 states, including Tennessee and Georgia. This year, Bill's nearly identical to this legislation are being considered intense. states including Texas to remove barriers to licensure for out of state therapists. Uh, House Bill 117 will
streamline the process to open doors from where highly qualified licensed professionals to support the individuals, couples and families in Arkansas are in desperate need of support. It's possible to pursue this type of legislation across the country because MFT licensure standards are extremely similar across state lines. All state's licensed family therapists. All MFTs must have at least a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or related per field. All states required in order to be licensed individual must undergo multiple years of supervision.
roughly equivalent to 3000 hours of supervised experience and an individual must pass a national clinical exam or a comparable state clinical exam. Additionally, under House Bill 17 MFTs will still need to meet rigorous requirements to practice in Arkansas if they were coming from another state. They have to have a license in good standing in another state. That means that they cannot be any disciplinary actions related to ethics, standard of care, or other violations of that state's law. Applicants will still pay the full Arkansas license. Sir, I apologize. We had a
2-minute limit and we forgot to start your two-minute
limit. I think you're past 2 minutes. Yeah, OK, any other questions, any questions from the members of the committee? All right, see
none, uh, I appreciate your testimony, um. Are there any questions on this bill? Great, thank you. I think we have um We have people that are here to speak for the bill. Um We have 3 people here to speak
for the bill. Thank you, uh, motion for immediate consideration,
all those in paper say aye and opposed, I have it, uh, uh, motion to pass. Is there a 2nd, 2nd, all those in favor say
aye and opposed, I have it. Thank you. Thank you, thank you, ma'am. Um, I want to thank, um, Kelly Roberts, Oklahoma Christian University and Push County FDHC for being here in support of the bill. Um, Roger cannot pronounce your
last name because I cannot read your handwriting, and Becky Whetstone, we're all here for the bill. Your bill passed. Congratulations. Um, All right,
Senator Hammer. Uh, let's see, did Senator Elissa Brown is here. Alyssa. Represent, uh, Representative Johnson, do
you have your stuff worked out? OK, let's get you back and then we'll get to you. Thank you.
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:07:54
Representative Johnson. Johnson District 47. This is House Bill 1585. OK. So I had a discussion with the gentleman that was posed. I understand his main opposition. He's got some concern that in the future there might be a change to CMS statute that might put us in conflict with this law. It sounds like that's a potential concern. I would argue that there's lots of laws on the book that could potentially become in conflict if there's a change to any number of federal laws and if that were to happen,
we would, you know, have to come back in and address that. That happens from time to time, but I don't think it changes the value of the bill or is it, is it, you know, the best reason
not to pass the bill, so with that, I'll close from my bill and ask for a
good vote. OK. Any questions from the members of
the committee? Right, I, I appreciate the testimony that that came and uh Oh, I would invite you to come back if you would like to provide testimony on the bill a second
time? OK, thank you. Um, you've closed for your bill. What's the pleasure of the
committee? Motion to pass 2nd, all those some papers say I and opposed. I just have it. Thank you. 1585 is passed. OK, we have another bill. House Bill 1817. OK All right, please proceeds. There was a child
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:09:18
named Elijah Silvera, um, he was, uh, a child that had an allergy, a severe allergy to dairy products. He
passed away in 2017 while at a daycare after eating a grilled cheese sandwich. His father is making an effort to go around the country to enact this piece of legislation to try to increase awareness in daycares to allergic reactions and severe allergic responses and just create preparedness plans in the daycares in the event something like this were to happen again, we already have policies like this in place K through 12. So all we're doing with this is tasking the Department of Education and consultation with the Department of Health to come up with a policy, a plan around how daycares might react to a
severe allergic reaction and then provide those to the daycare, um, I don't know of any opposition to this bill. We worked on this bill in its original form with both the Department of Health and the Department of Education to come up with a um a bill that you have before you that I think is reasonable, not
overburdensome to the daycares or to the departments and doesn't create a fiscal impact and be happy to answer any questions on the bill. Any questions from members
of the committee on the bill. See, no questions. Senator Love, thank you. Was there, was there a fiscal
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:10:29
impact? I was told there was not a fiscal impact, OK, because
I'm I'm looking at, I'm looking at. um On page 3 it's saying that they they
will create pamphlets and different things like that. That's why, that's why I asked, not to say this that it's not important. I'm just I was just had a when I say there's not a fiscal impact, I don't think there's a fiscal impact
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:10:50
to the department or to the government, whether there's a fiscal impact, and I think I think
that it's permissive language, but I'm not positive on that, so I don't know that
we're creating a fiscal impact. Certainly what I was told it's not for the government, whether there's some sort of small impact to the um to the daycare for printing out pamphlets that that would be provided. There
may be some kind of small impact to them. OK, all right, thank you. Any other
questions? I would say probably not anything outside of what any kind of an administrative impact would be on any implementation
of these laws, but could be very, very minimal. Good question. Any other questions, members of the committee? All right, see none.
Your clothes for your bill. House Bill 1817. What's a pleasure. Motion to pass. Is there
a 2nd, 2nd, all those papers say aye and opposed, I have it House Bill 1817 is passed. All right. Nextville 1840s 1840.
Please proceed. Members, I think there's already
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:11:53
been a bill come through to try to help address sedation dentistry and our developmental developmentally disabled
population. This is necessary language to allow the passes to pay for sedation dentistry. So currently dentistry is excluded from the capitated benefits of a managed care program that the past is. We're just creating some language on page 2 lines 9, 10, that that says sedation dentistry is not included in part of dentistry. This will allow The folks that provide this care to build the passes for sedation dentistry. It doesn't create any fiscal impact on the state because it's already in their contract. We just opened the contract up to those codes through the capitated rate.
Any questions, members of the committee? Kind of a companion bill with the one that I ran yesterday on the floor. Questions, Senator Philippon personal privilege.
Speaker 183
1:12:42
Senator Johnson, who do you think you are, Senator Pinzo or Representative Johnson? I mean, like, I mean like, you know, if we if we fix every single problem in the same session. What are we going to do in the 96 General Assembly to come back. That'd be, come back and just hang out for a while,
Speaker 235
1:12:57
I mean like I like like I feel like Senator Penz sits over there, but right now
Speaker 183
1:13:03
I'm feeling like How many more bills do you have on this in this committee
Speaker 237
1:13:09
22. That's right, thank you, Madam Chair. You want a batch? I mean, I'll,
I'll entertain the most. 18, I should not tempt Senator
Flippo with that. House Bill 1840. Anybody here to speak for or against House Bill 1840. You've heard explanation of the
bill, seeing no one, you recognize the clothes for your bill. clothes for my bill, Madam Chair. Thank you. pleasure.
Motion to pass 2nd, all those in favor say aye and opposed as have it house built 1840 passes. OK, next 3 1943. Please proceed, members. This is a
bill that was negotiated on with DD providers.
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:13:50
Uh, there were a couple of bills that have been out there both on the Senate and the House side. This is the bill that was agreed upon through both DHS and the provider groups to require DHS to do a rate review of direct service provider rates, and then additionally to require Uh, this right to be enforced,
right, if they come back and find out the rate needs to be increased, we're going to pay that rate. If it's over 10%, which it could be because we haven't done a rate review in this space since before uh the passes were enacted, it allows for a phase-in period of 10% the first year if it's about to, it lasts for a phase in of a two-year period if it's over 10% increase and I'd be happy to answer your questions on this
bill. Any questions from members of the committee on this bill. House Bill 1943. No, see none. Anyone
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:14:39
Madam Chair, my fault. Uh, it's, it's happened to me here. There's a bill called 1942, and I just presented that bill. This is 1943, which is a companion bills in 1942, but I think 1942 is actually in the insurance commerce Committee. This
bill does something similar. This bill is around enrollment. My apologies to the committee and to the chair for getting confused. On these two bills, uh, right now in the open enrollment period, uh, there's limited information to folks that are enrolling in passes. This bill
requires passes to create a rating system for their uh passes based on a variety of status of of factors including patient satisfaction, employee satisfaction of clients served, in addition to a rating structure. It also creates provider mandates that have to put their provider directories online so that if you Have a doctor and you want to know if your doctors in the past or not in the past, you can get online and see it, and then it requires the ombudsman who we already have at DHS to provide this information to patients. So
basically, right now, if you're loved one gets uh on the waiver list or has a tier 2, tier 3 behavioral health issue. They're going to be enrolled in a past, but there's very limited information to choose between the four passes. This is providing them with more information. Yeah, and this
is actually patient centered bill. All right, see, um, any questions? On this bill. OK, no questions. Nobody is here to speak
for or against the bill, see none, motion to pass, 2nd, all those
in favor say aye and opposed I have it, house built 1943 is passed. Next, House Bill 1869.
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:16:19
OK. Uh, this is the last bill I'll present today, Madam Chair, I may know, I may have one more. Alright,
yeah, I'm close, uh, I understand. Uh, so members, we did a lot of things in the interim, took, we looked at a lot of ideas on how to improve maternal health. One of the things we discussed was creating a system to designate hospitals that are delivering hospitals the way we do in the trauma system and to create a call
center, a website to support maternal health, um, this outlines the the groundwork for that program, but there's no funding attached to it. So this is the, this is a program that could enact grants that would be conditional upon performance of delivery hospitals just the same way we do in trauma, um, but right now we've not found any funding. I have concerns that in the future we're going to have to subsidize some of our low volume delivery hospitals, and if we have to subsidize those hospitals, I want there to be conditions of
performance in place to, to, to say, hey, look, if we're gonna you this grant money, you're gonna have to meet these certifications. This lays the groundwork for that so that if we do get into place in the future where we're going to have to provide some grant money to subsidize these hospitals, we could hopefully find some funding for this program. Again, right now there's no funding attached to it, but it's important, I think, to have this in place in case we need that in the future. Yeah, any questions from
the members of the committee, so this is based on the trauma system, basically,
we've been able to do that to support our particularly critical access hospitals and those designations, I
would argue that order point in the state of Arkansas where we also have critical access for maternal and labor and delivery. So, uh, I just want to make a comment, very supportive of
this idea. OK. Any other questions from members
of the committee, say none. Anyone here to speak for or against 1869, see none. You're recognized the clothes for your bill for my bill, madam, and motion to pass 2nd, all those in
favor say aye and oppose, I have it, House Bill 1869 is passed. Do you have more, Madam Chair, House Bill 1251. There's an amendment to that bill.
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:18:23
That's a bill that's been heard in this committee before, but I'd like to try to hear it again if I can. You have 1841 in here too. At 125151. Um, explained
the amendment. Senator Hammer signed the amendment, I think. OK.
Please proceed. No motion to adopt. Is there a motion to adopt the amendment. And second, all those in favor say aye. This is the anesthesia all the papers say aye and opposed as habit amendment is adopted. Please proceed with 1251 as amended. This is the anesthesia assistant bill that we presented earlier in this
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:19:06
session. I don't think I have to go into great detail about what anesthesia assistants do. What we're doing here is we're a minuteing it to to limit the lozenger to just 50 people.
in the year. And so we're trying to acknowledge that, hey, look, this is a new thing. We don't want to open the gates wide, but perhaps we could just open it to a small number of people per year. Additionally, we are tightening up the definition of immediately available to make sure that the anesthesia, anesthesiologist would be available for the anesthesia assistance immediately upon any concerns, and I'd be happy to take any questions on the amendment, OK, well, it's now engrossed into the bill,
so any questions on the bill, which is Yeah.
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
1:19:49
My only question is the second page of the moment is completely blank. I'm just making sure that there's nothing there's nothing else on there,
yeah. That happened to me the other day. Any other questions from members of the committee. All right, see none, you're closed for your bill. What's the pleasure of
the committee? Oh, I'm sorry, is there someone to speak for or against the bill? Please come forward. Please state your name for the record, and you may proceed.
Devin King
Unverified
1:20:19
Yes, ma'am. My name is Devin King. I'm a student
Speaker 247
1:20:22
registered nursing ethicist here in Arkansas. I'd just like to say a few things that the bill does not cover. First off, if you read on page 2 and also page 5. You can notice that the language is supervision when the anesthesiologist's assistant was here testifying and our March 12th, you could hear her say when asked a question by Senator Peyton. How close is this supervision? Is she corrected him and said that we
work under medical direction supervision and medical direction are not the same thing when it comes to anesthesia care, uh, the supervision or the medical direction, they have to be told everything what to do. This um supervision is different from medical direction. Also, as you heard from Mr. Brad testify the same day that um as ratios increase at 1 to 2. ratio, there's a chance of fraud
for 35%, 1 to 3. It's a 9 or 99% chance and increases up to 1 to 4. In this bill, it does not say any type of ratio that has to be done, uh, the language of the bill is just not there. Also with adopting the new amendment that was just proposed with 55 new. Um, just petty bad positions, the whole list of cons that we have already listed out on the same day still apply. That
doesn't change just because it's a lower number. Also, if you remember, we have about 50 graduating for this year, 20205 class of nurse anesthesiologist with that, we would cover the jobs that was previously talked about that we're open from Senator Johnson that he said that 25 jobs were needed. During Doctor Donovan's testimony, he said about 71% from both uh school stay.
If 71% stay, 35 jobs are now open. That leaves 10 jobs from the 25 indeed jobs that Representative Johnson said we're available, so that leaves 10 anesthes nurse anesthesiologist without a job here in Arkansas satisfying the need that doctor or Representative Johnson said was needed. I'd be happy to take any questions. OK. Are there any questions from the members of the committee? see
none. Thank you for being here and for your testimony.
Thank you and please vote no. OK, thank you. Representative, anybody else here to speak for or against the bill? See none. Thank you so much for being
here. Uh, Representative Johnson, you recognize the clothes for your
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:23:06
bill. Madam Chair, I'll say that CMS does define the ratios at 4 to 1, so the ratios are defined federally, and I'd
like to point out that we do, uh, change, you know, add this definition of immediately available, which is pretty tight. It makes the anesthesiologist be readily available, you know, it's late in session, um, this was a close vote the last time we tried
this, I just wanted to try one more time to bring it forward to the committee. This amended language and see if maybe we could get this passed. I think you understand and have heard a lot of testimony around this already, so I'll just close
my bill and ask for a good vote, OK. Are there any, OK, thank you. You've closed. What's the pleasure of the committee? Pleasure of
the committee. All right, see no motion, is there a second? I'll second it because I'm a co-sponsor.
Um, any discussion? I'm going to have some discussion on this. I appreciate the opposition to the bill, however, when, when you change and move the goal lines, you leave a space that people are not going to want to fill those different positions, and that's a problem. And so I'm supportive of the bill. I'm going to vote yes for the bill, but I'm supportive of it because this, this is, we have this amendment continues to work through the problems and
continues to try to address the problems as best they possib. can, and then the goalpost just keeps getting moved and moved and moved. Nobody is putting anybody under, whether it's a CRNA, I mean, CRNAs do not have immediate direct supervision, and we could argue that they should, but they don't. And, and I support that because we utilize CRNAs in many parts of the state of Arkansas that are very rural, and then we've always done it. My dad did surgery in Hebrew Springs, Arkansas with CRNA, but he
As the orthopedic surgeon in the operating room was the supervising physician, OK? So you don't have, whether it's an anesthesiologist or a supervising physician, they're there. That this is very, very tightly restricted to where they have to be on scene and on site, which is very different from the testimony that's been given on this bill in opposition. And so, I just, with that, I think opening up a pathway for people to come to the state of Arkansas and work and what they went to school for, which is similar to the physician
assistants should be reasonable. So with that, I'm a yes vote. Is there any other discussion from members of the committee? See
none other in favor say aye, I opposed knows how it still fails. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair, and I do have one more bill
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:25:49
that I was pointed out I missed if I could do one more bill. I think you're right, 1841, yes,
and I appreciate the patience of the committee today and the chair, Madam Chair, um, For 2 sessions now, I've been working with the ambulance
Association and the Association of counties to try to come up with a funding mechanism for EMS. Oh, yes, we
do have an amendment. I forgot we're having it correct, so
the amendment adds me as a Senate sponsor and
also add some language so motion to adopt the amendment, and second,
all those in paper say I opposed, I have it and then it is adopted, you may present 1841 as amended. So I
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:26:35
want to point out again this has no funding, but it was quite a challenge to come up with a formula that the counties and the ambulance services could agree upon, you know, we have a way of funding fire in the state through 833. This is a, this is where a portion of the premium tax on houses goes into a fund that's then distributed to each county in Arkansas for their fire services. What we're trying to do with this bill, what we've tried to do is mirror that, that sort of funding mechanism, um, and so we divided the counties into 5 different tiers based on population.
we additionally looked at claw volume. So if you're a EMS service in a certain district, you revenue is totally dependent on your when we call volume for the most part, um, in some areas in Arkansas are so rural, they don't get enough 911 calls to really support an ALS or even a BLS ambulance full time around the clock. And so, um, when you, when you divide up the counties by population and claw volume, there's some pretty clean breaks and 5 different places, and we've created this formula where there's a percentage if any
money is ever identified, it would go into the system. It would be divided up for each county in Arkansas. based on these tiers, A percentage of the money would go into each tier and then be divided up. I understand that like when you look at it, the lower tier tier 5 looks like it has about 20% uh attached to it, but there's fewer counties in that tier than in tier 4, which has 60% attached to it. So when you divide it up, the people that we get the most money under this formula would be the least
populated counties, um, and so again, the, the language, the formula, there's also language in here that would provide guardrails to who would qualify for. grants of money ever became available, what they could use those grants for. This would be administered if it ever came to fruition through this emergency medicine council, we discussed earlier, that's being set up in the Department of Health, um. It's important, I think, to get this in place for the same reason as the maternal health bill, I think, you know, that we're in a fragile state with our EMS system. I think our less populated counties with less
call volume at some point may need some sort of funding. If we're going to fund EMS, I think it needs to be in a fair and equitable way, and this is what I think is a
fair equitable process, OK, thank you. Any questions from members of the committee? See none, uh, anyone here to speak for or against 1841. See none. What is the pleasure of the committee? Motion to pass as
amended. Second, all those in favor say aye and opposed, I have it.
Congratulations, you've passed your bill. Thank you,
Madam Chair. Are we done with you? OK, thank you. Uh, Representative Steel, it's representative Steimel here. Um, I need to run this bill for Representative Steel. It's House Bill 81428. Uh wellness where you take a chair.
And ma'am, you're recognized. Thank you, um, members of the committee, House Bill 1428 is a bill just to provide a bed height requirement for
mobility access, accessible rooms, um, you know, as you know, uh, it's important that you have a bed that's not too low to the ground for some of these folks that are disabled that need to be able to access that bed, that would create problems, um, so there is a bed height measurement, um, of 23
inches in height. when measures from the floor to
the top of the mattress. I mean, so beds can either be too high or too low, depending on somebody who has a disability. So, um, that's what this bill does is it just gives some assurances as to exactly what
those uh measurements are, I believe he worked uh through this with um AD the disabilities folks. Happy to answer any questions. Members, are there any questions? Is there anybody here that
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
1:30:48
wishes to speak for or against this bill. Say none. urban, are you closed,
ma'am? Yes, I am enclosed. I appreciate it. I'll make a motion to pass for
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
1:31:01
1428. all in favor. Say aye. Any opposed? Congratulations. Thank you. OK, Representative Brown.
House Bill 1142. Thank you, Madam Chair. Representative Elissa Brown, District 41.
OK, 11:42, and there is a fiscal impact, uh, that's in your packet. Thank you.
Speaker 262
1:31:43
Please proceed. OK. Thank you, um, committee members, I will make this much shorter than what I presented on the house side, um, the Restore
Act aims to give restorative reproductive medicine coverage for women who have reproductive health conditions, we know that reproductive health conditions are the leading causes of infertility for women, um, those conditions may include PCOS, endometriosis, ovulation dysfunctions, etc. um, so the Restore Act is just giving that restorative, reproductive, um, medicine coverage to them that could be an ultrasound, it could be a hormonal panel, um, as you see on the fiscal impact
statement. Not only can this help them conceive, uh, naturally, but it also helps relieve a lot of the pain and discomfort that many women in their twenties and 30s face um when these conditions go untreated. So this in no way affects a woman's ability to access, um. IVF or IVF coverage. Actually, there's a lot of studies that show that restorative reproductive medicine coverage paired with IVF is more successful, and again, um, is a
better standard of care for women. So on the House side, we didn't have any known
Speaker 263
1:32:58
opposition to this, but I'll take any questions if you'll have them. Are there any questions from the members of the committee? Great. Scene
none. Anyone here to speak for or against House Bill 1142, 9, you recognize to close. your
bill. I'm close to my bill and I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Motion to pass. Second, all those in favor say aye and
oppose. I just have it. Congratulations to you passed House Bill 1142. Thank you so
much. Yes, ma'am. OK, purer. What bill number is this? 182. 1682. OK. Please
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
1:33:52
proceed. She said, Representative Chad Prager House District 25. Uh, the Good Neighbor Act aims to address food insecurities by
removing liability barriers and to encourage more food donors. Um, it simply maintains our current protections while providing more descriptive definitions and that's clarity for nonprofits and churches that are distributing donated food. With that, I'm open for questions. Are
Speaker 268
1:34:09
there any questions from the members of the committee? See none. Anyone here to speak
for or against the spill. See none, you recognize the clothes for your bill. I'm clothes
for your bill and appreciate a good vote in a second. Thank you. Motion to
pass. Second, all those in favor say aye, the post, I have it. Congratulations, you've passed your
Speaker 164
1:34:45
book. Thank you. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. Um Yes. Senator what Senator
Hammerson here, did you, what, which one do you have? It was back there
1960, let's go to Kim, 1965.
Speaker 35
1:35:11
19, I need to do, and you do have a handout, 1965. OK,
Oh, this is, um, OK, if you'll set your name for the record, you may proceed. I am so sorry, Representative McColo, I did not see you over that way. I apologize. No, no, no, she was
waiting and I apologize. I didn't even, I'm so sorry. I apologize. OK, if y'all will just state your name for the record, you may proceed. Kim Hammer, State Senator
Speaker 275
1:36:05
District 16. Tipy McCullough, House Representative, District 74.
Representative Tippi McCullough
Unverified
1:36:08
OK, please proceed. I'm going to let Representative McCullough. I
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
1:36:13
think she can get to it more expeditiously and we've got the hand out this kind of a guide that will take us through it quicker. All right. Thank you, Madam
Representative Tippi McCullough
Unverified
1:36:23
Chair. I'm just gonna run through this real quick. Um, this explains what the health food retail Act is trying to attack the problem of food deserts in Arkansas and at the same time help our brick and
mortar grocery stores such as Walmart, Kroger, Edwards, all of those. Um, this bill is a way for us to um put grants into a program, find grants, put those grants into the program through the ADC they could work with another partner that has more expertise. to do that. We've also talked with them. We've met with um Secretary McDonald. We met with Secretary Putnam, um, and also with the retail and wholesale grocers Association and everybody has added language that has made this bill a lot
better, filed this last session, um, but came together with Senator Hammer this session. We've worked this much more thoroughly and are just trying to solve this problem because a lot of our um and a lot of our districts, we have places where people don't have good access to. healthy foods, fresh fruit and vegetables. So this would be a program, um, it would grant Grants to um people who have ideas about how to solve this problem and that could be very, this has happened across the
South, this is uh based on a bill that Louisiana did, um, this could be new farmers' markets, mobile markets, delivery options to central hub, lots of different creative solutions that someone could come up with and apply for this, uh, you can get grants, you, you could uh give grants out or loans, and you could stack those. Um, there's a list of criteria on page 4, the remainder of the bill talks about accountability mechanisms. There's going to be
an annual report to ALC or joint budget if we're in session, of course, rules would be established. So far, I felt like this has been a bipartisan bill that would be able to help um these places that we all have in our districts, whether we're in an urban district or a rural district and um I don't know if Senator Hammer wants to add, but I'm ready for questions, uh. If you guys are ready to go to questions, Madam Chair. Thank you. Are there any questions from the members of
the committee. See none. Uh, anyone here to
speak for or against this bill? See no, uh, you recognize the clothes for your bill. I will
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
1:38:48
say this, and then yield to Representative McCole, sorry, is to, it is a grant program, but it sets up a structure where we could move forward and so with that, um, as far as the cost, as I mentioned, it's a, it's a grant-only program, so I would appreciate taking that in your final decision and would appreciate a good vote when we get to the vote. Thank you.
Thank you, um, what's the pleasure of the committee? Motion to pass. Second,
all those in favor say aye and opposed as habit. Congratulations. House Bill 1965 is passed. Thank
you. Thank you, Madam Chair, committee. Thank you. Um, I want to, uh, send her love. Will you, uh, present House Bill 1954 for me. Yeah. Uh, I'll explain.
you. State your name for the record. All right, good morning,
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:39:54
colleagues. I'm here to present House Bill 1954, a Senate. What did I say it's, it's House Bill 1951, 1954, um, an act to create the Arkansas behavior uh analyst
registration Act and I'm open for any questions. Uh, thank you. So the question is, would you agree this is this uh this, this was a, they were left out of the original one that we passed earlier in the session. I, uh, Senator Irvin, myself and uh we represent Clowney worked to make sure that they would be included, so we decided just to run a 2nd bill to make sure that that was wrapped up. We have approval, yes, from DHS. They worked with us on the piece of legislation,
motion. To pass 2nd, all those in favor say aye and oppose I have it. Congratulations, you've passed
your bill. Thank you, sir. I'm just trying to keep this moving. OK, who's next? Who's
here? Yes Is there somebody else that's here? For a bill. I'm just gonna go through them. OK,
we're going to pass over on that one. I think we're passing over.
1218, I think we're passing over. 1442, uh, 1215, 23. Representative Var didn't, she passed over
that 1570, 1537, Senator Deess represent a laymen, 1537 anyone? 1576 we passing over that one. I think that's the one we sent to Deerge, right? 15, yeah, 1801.
Anyone here for 1801, 1963. Anyone here for 1963. I think we ran it
already. We did. Yeah. It's done. OK, any other bills to come before this committee? Anybody here to present a bill? It did.
Speaker 273
1:42:09
Uh, yeah, I mean call of the chair. At this point,
uh public health will be at the call of the chair, and um, so thank you
for the good work, but that we're adjourned. Eddie Is the key. Oh my God.
Agenda
CALL TO ORDER
RE-REFERRED TO COMMITTEE
HB1679 M. Brown TO AMEND THE REVISED ARKANSAS ANATOMICAL GIFT ACT; TO ALLOW CERTAIN CLASSES OF PERSONS TO REVOKE OR AMEND AN ANATOMICAL GIFT UPON THE DEATH OF THE DONOR; AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REPORTING OF PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATIONS.
REGULAR AGENDA
HB1186 Vaught TO CREATE THE PAIN RELIEF PARITY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PAIN RELIEF PARITY IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.
HB1428 Steimel TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PUBLIC LODGING; AND TO PROVIDE A BED HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR MOBILITY ACCESSIBLE ROOMS.
HB1523 Vaught CONCERNING MISSING PERSONS ALERTS; TO CODIFY THE ARKANSAS AMBER ALERT SYSTEM; TO CODIFY THE ARKANSAS SILVER ALERT SYSTEM; AND TO CREATE THE MISSING ENDANGERED ADULT ADVISORY SYSTEM.
HB1187 Vaught TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS.
HB1784 Wardlaw TO MODIFY THE INFORMAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.
HB1439 Ladyman TO REMOVE THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FROM LICENSURE AS A PRIVATE CARE AGENCY.
HB1456 Rose TO AMEND THE STATE KIDNEY DISEASE COMMISSION TO BE AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
HB1251 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANT ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSURE OF WITH ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS.
HB1458 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "CREDENTIALING INFORMATION" WHEN THE ARKANSAS STATE MEDICAL BOARD IS PROVIDING INFORMATION TO CREDENTIALING ORGANIZATIONS.
HB1537 Ladyman TO REPEAL THE LOCATION ACT FOR COMMUNITY HOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
HB1442 Achor TO SET RESTRICTIONS ON PHARMACY CONTRACTING AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST; AND TO ESTABLISH PHARMACEUTICAL PATIENT FREEDOM OF CHOICE.
HB1471 Wooldridge TO AMEND THE EXPIRATION DATE OF ALL LICENSES OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY.
HB1185 L. Johnson TO ADOPT THE DIETITIAN LICENSURE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS.
HB1285 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH AN EXEMPTION PROGRAM FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE'S OPERATORS FOR CERTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES.
HB1218 J. Mayberry TO CREATE LICENSURE FOR THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SPECIALISTS; AND TO CREATE THE THERAPEUTIC RECREATION PRACTICE ACT.
HB1682 Puryear TO CREATE THE GOOD NEIGHBOR ACT; AND TO CLARIFY FOOD DONATION LIABILITY AND IMMUNITY.
HB 1251 Amendment
HB ?
HB1252 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH THE CERTIFIED COMMUNITY-BASED DOULA CERTIFICATION ACT; AND TO CERTIFY BIRTH AND POSTPARTUM DOULAS IN THIS STATE TO IMPROVE MATERNAL AND INFANT OUTCOMES.
HB1585 L. Johnson TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FROM LICENSURE AS A HOME HEALTHCARE SERVICE TO AN ENTITY THAT SOLELY PROVIDES THERAPY SERVICES THAT ARE NOT REIMBURSED BY MEDICARE PART A.
HB1767 L. Johnson TO ABOLISH THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL; AND TO CREATE THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
HB1801 K. Moore TO AUTHORIZE AN OUTSOURCING FACILITY OF LEGEND DRUGS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES THAT COMPOUNDS A PRODUCT TO SELL THE COMPOUNDED PRODUCT TO CERTAIN ENTITIES.
HB1817 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH ELIJAH'S LAW IN ARKANSAS; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE ANAPHYLAXIS POLICY FOR CHILDCARE FACILITIES.
HB1840 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT TO ENSURE THAT SEDATION DENTISTRY IS COVERED BY RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS.
HB1841 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS REVENUE INVESTMENT IN VITAL EMS SYSTEMS (ARRIVES) ACT; AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS REVENUE INVESTMENT IN VITAL EMS SYSTEMS (ARRIVES) FUND FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AGENCIES.
HB1004 Pilkington TO REQUIRE MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR POSTPARTUM MOTHERS FOR ONE YEAR AFTER GIVING BIRTH.
HB1142 A. Brown TO CREATE THE REPRODUCTIVE EMPOWERMENT AND SUPPORT THROUGH OPTIMAL RESTORATION (RESTORE) ACT.
HB1768 Lundstrum TO REQUIRE A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL CONTRACT RELATING TO A HOST FEE TO BE VOTED ON AT A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF A HOST COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE LANDFILL IS LOCATED.
HB1164 J. Mayberry TO ALLOW A PHYSICIAN OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO OFFER COGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS; AND TO MANDATE THAT INSURANCE POLICIES COVER ASSESSMENTS FOR COGNITIVE FUNCTION FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS.
HB1893 M. Brown TO AUTHORIZE A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER OR BUSINESS OWNER TO BAN AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL FROM THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OR THE BUSINESS PREMISES; AND TO REGULATE LIABILITY ON PRIVATE PROPERTY RELATED TO EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS.
HB 1848
HB1943 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPROVE THE ENROLLMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS IN RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS; AND TO EMPOWER BENEFICIARIES WITH INFORMATION.
HB1954 Andrews TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT; AND TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS UNDER THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT.
HB1963 Gonzales TO CLARIFY THAT AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE WHO PRESCRIBES A STIMULANT MAY SUBSTITUTE A THERAPEUTICALLY EQUIVALENT MEDICATION.
HB1965 McCullough TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY FOOD RETAIL ACT OF 2025; AND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR HEALTHY FOOD RETAILERS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
HB1869 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE MATERNAL OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; AND TO ORGANIZE MATERNAL HEALTH RESOURCES.
ADJOURNED
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — PUBLIC HEALTH WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE, Apr 9, 2025 | Agenda | 4 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Senator Missy Irvin Chair
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Representative Jeff Wardlaw Chair
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Chair
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Senator Breanne Davis
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Speaker 44
Speaker 47
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Speaker 59
Senator Ricky Hill
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Speaker 68
Latoya Morgan
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Speaker 60
Zenobia Harris
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Stephanie Garner
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Speaker 81
Speaker 83
Danielle Wright
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Speaker 85
Senator Greg Leding
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Speaker 102
Senator John Payton
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Senator Dave Wallace
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Speaker 100
Speaker 117
Representative Robin Lundstrum
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Speaker 135
Speaker 25
Representative Lee Johnson
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Speaker 163
Speaker 167
Charlie Martin
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Speaker 183
Speaker 184
Matt Gilmore
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Speaker 190
Speaker 15
Senator Scott Flippo
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Senator Fredrick J. Love
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Speaker 201
Speaker 208
Speaker 115
Representative David Ray
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Speaker 211
Speaker 217
Representative DeAnn Vaught
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Speaker 221
Speaker 235
Speaker 237
Devin King
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Speaker 247
Speaker 262
Speaker 263
Representative Chad Puryear
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Speaker 268
Speaker 164
Speaker 35
Speaker 272
Speaker 275
Representative Tippi McCullough
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Senator Kim Hammer
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Speaker 288
Speaker 273