Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee- House
Video
Transcript
1 document
Bills discussed (49)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1253
Act 384
· 5 mentions in transcript, chapter, agenda
Matched: “…nd of the table, we'll move back up the agenda and pick up. House Bill 1253, I believe it has an amendment. Yes. Alright, Staff is gonn…”
|
TO ADOPT THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL LICENSURE INTERSTATE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS. | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1253 is now Act 384 |
|
HB1532
· 5 mentions in chapter, transcript, agenda
Matched: “HB1532 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS RARE DISEASE ADVISORY COU…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS RARE DISEASE ADVISORY COUNCIL. | L. Johnson | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
SB139
Act 232
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript, agenda
Matched: “SB139 J. Boyd TO CLARIFY THAT A COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE AGREEMENT…”
|
TO CLARIFY THAT A COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE AGREEMENT IS UNENFORCEABLE FOR CERTAIN LICENSED MEDICAL … | J. Boyd | Notification that SB139 is now Act 232 |
|
SB186
Act 235
· 4 mentions in transcript, chapter, agenda
Matched: “…Committee without objection, we're going to move back up to Senate Bill 186. I see Senator Brown has made it into the room. Are you pre…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED BY A LICENSEE OF … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB186 is now Act 235 |
|
HB1169
Act 383
· 3 mentions in agenda, transcript, chapter
Matched: “…llen Rep. Wayne Long REGULAR AGENDA Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1169 L. Johnson TO CLARIFY THE ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR AN INVOLUN…”
|
TO CLARIFY THE ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR AN INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT TO INCLUDE A PERSON WHO IS … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1169 is now Act 383 |
|
HB1442
· 3 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION OF FACILITIES FOR MAMMOGRAPHY. 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. |
|
SB187
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript, agenda
Matched: “SB187 Irvin TO AMEND THE COMPOSITION OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID DRU…”
|
TO AMEND THE COMPOSITION OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID DRUG UTILIZATION REVIEW BOARD TO INCLUDE PHYSICIAN … | Irvin | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1244
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…S IN A MENTAL CONDITION AS A RESULT OF A MEDICAL CONDITION. HB1244 K. Brown TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE…”
|
TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF FULL INDEPENDENT PRACTICE AUTHORITY BY A … | K. Brown | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1429
Act 854
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ERVICES PERSONNEL LICENSURE INTERSTATE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS. HB1429 M. Shepherd TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY WHILE ENSURING QUALIT…”
|
TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY WHILE ENSURING QUALITY FOR CERTAIN FACILITIES PERFORMING MAMMOGRAPHY SERVICES; AND TO AMEND … | M. Shepherd | Notification that HB1429 is now Act 854 |
|
HB1463
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1463 Hudson TO PROHIBIT DISCLOSURE OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL OR PSYC…”
|
TO PROHIBIT DISCLOSURE OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST MATERIALS OR TEST DATA. | Hudson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1468
Act 558
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1468 Cozart TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS AGAINST CONT…”
|
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS AGAINST HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS, RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CONTRACTORS, AND SUPPLIERS. | Cozart | Notification that HB1468 is now Act 558 |
|
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 |
|
HB1505
Act 398
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1505 Wing TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC EMPLOYER TO OFFER AND PROVIDE COVE…”
|
TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC EMPLOYER TO OFFER AND PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR LICENSED COUNSELING FOR A … | Wing | Notification that HB1505 is now Act 398 |
|
HB1506
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…BLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED A TRAUMATIC EVENT. HB1506 Andrews TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMP…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; AND TO PROHIBIT A PUBLIC EMPLOYER … | Andrews | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1530
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…S UNENFORCEABLE FOR CERTAIN LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. HB1530 Achor TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "SPECIALTY HOSPITAL" RELAT…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "SPECIALTY HOSPITAL" RELATING TO THE ASSESSMENT FEE ON HOSPITALS UNDER … | Achor | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1543
Act 631
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1543 Underwood TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITI…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025. | Underwood | Notification that HB1543 is now Act 631 |
|
HB1554
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…TABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025. HB1554 A. Brown TO CREATE THE ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY REP…”
|
TO CREATE THE ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY REPORTING ACT. | A. Brown | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
HB1566
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1566 McClure TO REQUIRE ADOPTION OF A STATEWIDE PRACTICAL NURSIN…”
|
TO REQUIRE ADOPTION OF A STATEWIDE PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM CORE CURRICULUM TO INCREASE CONSISTENCY IN … | McClure | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1575
Act 376
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1575 Lundstrum TO PROHIBIT A PERSON THAT IS EMPLOYED OR HAS A DI…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A PERSON THAT IS EMPLOYED OR HAS A DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTEREST IN … | Lundstrum | Notification that HB1575 is now Act 376 |
|
HB1576
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1576 Lundstrum TO PROHIBIT A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL OR TRANSFER ST…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL TO BE PLACED OVER A KARST TOPOGRAPHY. | Lundstrum | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1582
Act 708
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1582 McAlindon TO REQUIRE AN INDIVIDUAL TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ACTIONS AND ENCOURAGE CERTAIN ACTIONS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR … | McAlindon | Notification that HB1582 is now Act 708 |
|
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 |
|
HB1586
Act 386
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1586 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE MEDICAID WAIVER FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID WAIVER FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER TO CLARIFY THE NUMBER AND TYPE … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1586 is now Act 386 |
|
HB1588
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1588 McAlindon TO REQUIRE APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFOR…”
|
TO REQUIRE APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SEEKS OR … | McAlindon | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1592
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…EASES COSTS TO THE STATE FOR THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM. HB1592 J. Mayberry TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA PUBLIC HEALTH ACT. | J. Mayberry | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1004
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…BED FOR WEIGHT LOSS. DEFERRED BILLS Number Sponsor Subtitle 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. |
|
HB1008
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…AGE FOR POSTPARTUM MOTHERS FOR ONE YEAR AFTER GIVING BIRTH. HB1008 A. Collins TO REQUIRE MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR POSTPARTUM MOTH…”
|
TO REQUIRE MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR POSTPARTUM MOTHERS FOR ONE YEAR AFTER GIVING BIRTH. | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1010
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…AGE FOR POSTPARTUM MOTHERS FOR ONE YEAR AFTER GIVING BIRTH. HB1010 A. Collins TO SET THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE IN THE ARKANSAS ME…”
|
TO SET THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICES. | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1011
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICES. HB1011 A. Collins TO CREATE THE RESTORE ROE ACT; AND TO RESTORE A…”
|
TO CREATE THE RESTORE ROE ACT; AND TO RESTORE A WOMAN'S ACCESS TO ABORTION SERVICES. | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1012
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ACT; AND TO RESTORE A WOMAN'S ACCESS TO ABORTION SERVICES. HB1012 A. Collins TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO EXTE…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO EXTEND ELIGIBILITY TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS FOR FAMILY PLANNING … | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1013
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…BILITY TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS FOR FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES. HB1013 Hudson TO PROTECT FERTILITY TREATMENT RIGHTS IN THIS STATE.…”
|
TO PROTECT FERTILITY TREATMENT RIGHTS IN THIS STATE. | Hudson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1029
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…Hudson TO PROTECT FERTILITY TREATMENT RIGHTS IN THIS STATE. HB1029 D. Garner TO SET THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE IN THE ARKANSAS MED…”
|
TO SET THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND … | D. Garner | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1032
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…R MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND SERVICES RELATED TO ADDICTION. HB1032 A. Collins TO BAN CONVERSION THERAPY. HB1132 Pilkington TO…”
|
TO BAN CONVERSION THERAPY. | A. Collins | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1079
Act 860
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…C HEALTH ACT. PENDING FISCAL IMPACT Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1079 F. Allen TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR GENETIC TESTING FOR AN INH…”
|
TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR GENETIC TESTING FOR AN INHERITED GENE MUTATION FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS; AND … | F. Allen | Notification that HB1079 is now Act 860 |
|
HB1132
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…TO ADDICTION. HB1032 A. Collins TO BAN CONVERSION THERAPY. HB1132 Pilkington TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES PROVID…”
|
TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES PROVIDED BY ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES; AND TO AMEND … | Pilkington | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1140
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…RIPTIVE AUTHORITY OF AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE. HB1140 Gramlich TO DEFINE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER REGARDING STUDENT AT…”
|
TO DEFINE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER REGARDING STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSION EDUCATION. | Gramlich | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1142
Act 859
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…FOR EVIDENCE-BASED CANCER IMAGING FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS. 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 |
|
HB1165
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…RE PROVIDER REGARDING STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSION EDUCATION. HB1165 L. Johnson TO PROHIBIT DIFFERENT REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR SE…”
|
TO PROHIBIT DIFFERENT REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR SERVICES PERFORMED BY THE SAME TYPE OF PROVIDER IN … | L. Johnson | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1185
Act 799
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…IN DIFFERENT SETTINGS WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM. 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 |
|
HB1218
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “AGENDA (Revised 2/27/25 @ 8:30AM) Moved HB1218 to Deferred Bills and HB1241 to Pending Fiscal Impact House…”
|
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. |
|
HB1241
Act 568
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…evised 2/27/25 @ 8:30AM) Moved HB1218 to Deferred Bills and HB1241 to Pending Fiscal Impact House Committee on Public Health,…”
|
TO ENSURE THAT THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM REIMBURSES FOR DENTAL AND ANESTHESIA COSTS FOR HIGH … | J. Mayberry | Notification that HB1241 is now Act 568 |
|
HB1252
Act 965
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…AND ANESTHESIA COSTS FOR HIGH COMPLEXITY ORAL HEALTH CARE. 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 |
|
HB1270
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…-OF-STATE LICENSURE ACT TO MASSAGE THERAPISTS. Page 3 of 4 HB1270 Pilkington TO ESTABLISH LICENSURE FOR PRESCRIBED PEDIATRIC…”
|
TO ESTABLISH A PRESCRIBED PEDIATRIC EXTENDED CARE PILOT PROGRAM THROUGH A SECTION 1115 MEDICAID DEMONSTRATION … | Pilkington | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1275
Act 389
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ULAS IN THIS STATE TO IMPROVE MATERNAL AND INFANT OUTCOMES. HB1275 Cavenaugh TO PROHIBIT PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS FOR HEALTHCARE S…”
|
TO PROHIBIT PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR TREATMENT OF A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. | Cavenaugh | Notification that HB1275 is now Act 389 |
|
HB1277
Act 706
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…AM TO REIMBURSE PRESCRIBED PEDIATRIC EXTENDED CARE CENTERS. HB1277 Gramlich TO AMEND PAYMENTS FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION REGARDING…”
|
TO AMEND PAYMENTS FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION REGARDING PETROLEUM STORAGE TANKS. | J. Boyd | Notification that HB1277 is now Act 706 |
|
HB1302
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…SERVICES PROVIDED FOR TREATMENT OF A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. HB1302 L. Johnson TO ADD DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY TO THE UNIVER…”
|
TO ADD DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY TO THE UNIVERSAL NEWBORN SCREENING ACT. | L. Johnson | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
|
HB1401
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ULANCE SERVICE'S OPERATORS FOR CERTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES. HB1401 Pilkington TO INCLUDE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY SERVICES WIT…”
|
TO INCLUDE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY SERVICES WITHIN THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT. | Pilkington | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1559
Act 632
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1559 McGrew TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SEEK…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SEEK A WAIVER TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID … | McGrew | Notification that HB1559 is now Act 632 |
|
HB1584
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…CENSURE OF MASSAGE THERAPISTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. HB1584 L. Johnson TO REQUIRE INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENTS OF A BENEFICI…”
|
TO REQUIRE INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENTS OF A BENEFICIARY IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR HOME- AND … | L. Johnson | WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR |
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1442. You reckon I have to go to the end of the table. You will identify yourself for the record and you're recognized to
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
0:23
present your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you committee. Representative Brandon Aker, District 71. Uh, today on Working on the microphone.
Speaker 9
0:40
doesn't matter. Thank you committee. Uh, today
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
0:47
I'm excited to present House Bill 1442. Um, this is a been a passion project of mine for the last uh couple of years. Uh, really centers around um some investigations into whether or not we have any sort of enforcement or guarantees for patients to exercise their freedom of choice whenever they select a pharmacy. I think the people in general assume that there's some sort of an inalienable built-in right
for freedom of choice, as well as protections against steering, um, a lot of that alludes to more federal programs that are difficult to enforce and kind of casually mentioned in anti-kickback language, um. The bill before you have, the bill before you today. Um, is primarily consistent of a lot of uh exemptions and waiver opportunities and again this was built off of communications and feedback from uh The federal qualified health
systems either indirectly through their community healthcare centers of Arkansas Association or directly with independent FQHCs. uh taking feedback from UAMS, Pharma, uh, as well as have great conversations about the operation of this bill with mercy and Children's Hospital. And so I'm going to tell you what this bill prevents from happening. And I'd like to make a comment that anything outside of that, there is an opportunity to operationally exercise outside of what it does prevent. So
Currently Um, when it comes to freedom of choice and anti-steering, there's some confusion on when an employee purchases health insurance from their employer. They are buying access to a network. And outside of that network, employers are still welcome to price their medications however they want to and offer any discounts to their employees that they see fit. Um, so to make this somewhat of a personal, um,
Example, um, as many of you know, um, I was diagnosed with cancer last session. Uh, my wife is currently battling cancer this session and When you Received that news and you're getting ready to undergo chemotherapy. There's a point where The physician asks you, where do you want your medication
sent? And for both of us, I remember pausing, uh, because I knew as soon as those medications showed up at Acre Family Pharmacy. That my staff of 17 would know
that the people that they rely on for their welfare were sick. We thankfully had the autonomy to decide where we sought care. I've had other family members who have not had that opportunity with their employer and they pay into a system to buy access to a network and then are told after several fills that they have to return to their employer's pharmacy and exclusively use their on-site pharmacy. My issue with this is An employee purchases. That benefit
And they are buying that benefit because they find value in the network of access. And when you restrict that to the employer's pharmacy, the employee may not want their employer or their coworkers to know that they have cancer. Or HIV. Or that their child struggles with opioid addiction. Or that their spouse has Alzheimer's. And I've worked very hard to make The cost savings incentives for the employers to still be able to operationalize all the discounts they want to offer to
their employees. But if they're going to operate inside of a network that the employee has purchased, they should honor the access to that network. That's what this bill does. Any sort of scenario outside of that. There is exemptions, either explicitly stated in the bill or a recent amendment that's allowed more of an open-ended exemption for the state board of pharmacy to determine whether or not access is limited. With that I welcome any questions.
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
4:50
Any questions from the committee? OK. Representative Allen, you're recognized for a question? Uh, thank you, uh, Mr. Chairman, uh, can you come back to me for just a second, I need to confer
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
5:16
with someone? Absolutely. Representative Ladyman, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, Representative Baker, is there any, uh,
organization, anybody opposing this bill? I have
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
5:25
not been met with any formal opposition. There have been members who, I think, may have some philosophical concerns
on just the red tape and documentation, but as far as what operationally they're concerned about, I've been able to address all those that have been
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
5:45
brought to my attention. Uh, so, uh, There hasn't been any like large, large corporations or
groups that have got back to you and said this might affect their the ability for them to have low cost. drugs that nobody's got to you on that brought that concern to
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
6:02
me. However, I pointed to them where in the bill they still can exercise that opportunity to pass any and all savings they want to on to their employees, and that seems to have quieted that concern, uh, for each of those institutions that have reached out to me.
Representative Allen, you OK, I do have one question for you just for clarification standpoint. So how does this work for self-funded employee health plans. Is there any, does this limit those in any way? Uh, so
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
6:34
self-funded employee plans are not licensed by the state Board of Pharmacy, so this doesn't apply to them. Um, any employer who has a pharmacy again is either buying the drug from a wholesaler and put it in their pharmacy shelf or they're paying a bill from their health insurance. Either way they're buying the drug, and this allows them Which I would encourage them to
do in the off insurance opportunity they can avoid paying overhead admin fees, PBM fees, and as well as lower their audit risk. While still saving the employee money and the employer money. OK Any other questions from the committee? Is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for or against the bill? See none, you're clothes for
your bill. I'm close for my bill. Thank you. What's the will of the committee? Motion to pass. Representative Rose has a
motion to pass any discussion on the motion? All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Congratulations, sir, you've passed your bill. All right, without objection, we're gonna go back to the top of the agenda Representative Johnson, are you prepared to run House Bill 1169? Go to the end of the table. If you will identify yourself
for the record and you're recognized to present your
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
8:00
bill. Trying to get better at pulling these microphones out. Representative Lee Johnson, District 47, uh, members, uh, this bill is an attempt to clarify an issue that came up in the interim. I was approached by a neurologist that worked here in our state, a group of neurologists had some concerns about when they could or could not hold someone who is a potential threat to themselves or others. The way the statute was currently written around holds, around 7 there's both, there's two kinds of holes.
There's involuntary hold, which is more of a court ordered kind of hauled, and then there's an immediate haul. which is in the situation where you're in a hospital and I'm in the emergency room and a person gets up and tries to leave, but they're clearly not in their right mind, right? So this would be a person who maybe has dementia, who is there by themselves, they're not oriented to person or place and they're potentially having a heart attack or a stroke and they get up to try to leave. I have a responsibility as a health care provider to intervene in that
place and say, hey, listen, we can't, you know, we can't let this person walk away. This is not a person who's, you know, competent and oriented that that's making an informed decision. This is a person who has a medical condition that is creating um uh some disorientation where they can't make a, uh, you know, a good decision about their care. When you look at the statute, it, it creates sort of, it doesn't really parse out the difference between a mental health condition, creating this
problem and a a medical condition and so the problem that neurologists Cabinets, they were concerned of the way the current statute was written that dementia is a medical condition, not a mental health condition, and they wanted clarity in the statute that you could, if someone had a medical condition creating disorientation, it would, it would be treated the same. We've had several negotiations back and forth. This is one of those bills where it seemed like a pretty simple concept to try to clarify. The first attempt, uh, we put out there and got feedback from some psychiatrists
that were concerned we were maybe opening. the door to push people with medical conditions to mental health facilities, so we worked with a group of psychiatrists to come up with some amendments and sort of clarify where we're trying to put this language. Um, we also heard back from some judges and judges were asking for a definition which you'll see there around behavioral impairment. Everyone we talked to, whether it was neurologists, psychiatrists, judges, all said this language needs to be clarified some, and this was our attempt to try to clarify that
language. Um, I feel like we've got it to a place where everyone's comfortable, which is why I'm presenting it today, and I'd I'd be happy to try to answer any questions on this piece of legislation if any members have any. Thank you, Representative. Any
questions from the committee? Representative Long, you reckon for a question? Thank you, Mr.
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
10:53
Chairman. It kind of caught me off guard there, didn't quite have my
question really thought through in my mind, but um. How long could the person be held in the hospital because, you know, since this is not a judicial decision it's sort of a subjective one and the second part of it was um what if somebody just didn't want the type of treatment that the hospital was suggesting, and you know, it's like it may be obvious that it's the best treatment maybe
to the doctor, but that might make the information appear to be crazy, but you know they should have the
a chance to decide, you know, if they want to. Uh, submit to this medical procedure
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
11:37
or whatever. Understood, yeah, and it is a balance, you know, there's something that I, there's something I face regularly in my day to day job, right? I'm trying to strike that balance between where does a person's right in versus my responsibilities, the healthcare provider to make good informed decisions, you know, if someone's just intoxicated, for instance, that's not a reason for me to hold them. They've, they're, you know, people are intoxicated and make poor decisions. That's, that's a
result of their intoxication, right? Uh, but if someone truly has delirium from say encephalitis and they're by themselves with no advocates. That's where I have to use medical judgment. The way the bill's drafted in that scenario, it's a 72 hour hold, and that's already in statute. That's something we're already allowed to do. I can put a 72 hour hold on anyone. What this statute does is clarify the medical part and it also, if you look, it requires at the bottom of page 3 on line 5. It requires that person be seen and evaluated every 24 hours to
confirm that they still are not in a mental shape where they can make those kind of decisions. So we tried to create some checks and balances to kind of bolster what is already currently in statute. Thank you,
sir. Yes. Any other questions from the committee, Representative Richardson, you can ask for a question.
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
12:53
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Representative, what How does the state plan to address the potential increase in the demand with the mental
health services and the facilities that will result from
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
13:06
expanding this. this is a great question, and
that's one of the questions I tried to address when I talked to the psychiatrist. In my understanding from visiting with them, the way we've worded this and the way we've created this language to the original bill that we tried was all in, uh, 20-47-202, which is around involuntary commitments, I'm sorry, 20-47-207, where most of the language we've added now is in section 4 of the bill
20-47-210. That's around 72 hour hauls, which is different. That's not going to create, you know, I think what we've done here is, is improve that language and I don't think we're doing anything that's going to require any excess burden on the mental health hospitals or open them up to patients they can't or don't already take care of. Thank Any other questions by the committee, Representative Long, you can ask for
a question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I remember the other thing I was
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
14:06
gonna ask, um, is there any provision for like a second opinion, it's like the first doctor says, yes, this situation, you know, deems holding this person, um, but a second doctor could be maybe brought in and says, you know, I think they're fine, you know, how do you handle that? Yeah, I think,
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
14:21
you know, anytime, so these are really situations where there's a where the person is there without an advocate, you know, and so if there's an advocate there for the person, obviously they're going to be able to, yes, they would be able to advocate for a second opinion. This is more in
the case of a scenario where there's somebody just by themselves and they don't have any one family that can come in and, and, you know, create some sort of advocacy for them, so we're trying to have, you know, forced in this position to make those decisions, so it wouldn't necessarily be Second opinion because it wouldn't necessarily be somebody there if this person's not in their right mind to ask for that, but definitely the the cadence of how uh 72 hours works in a hospital, the chances of it not being a different physician coming in and evaluating them
every 28 4 hours is pretty low, so you're going to get a second set of eyes on the patient, helping, you know, helping reassess that in that 24 hour
Representative Dolly Henley
Unverified
15:18
requirement. Representative Henley, you're recognized for your question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, Representative Johnson, I'm, I'm all in favor of this bill and what you're doing, and I certainly see the need, um, number 6. On the final page, talks about the authority of the sheriff of the county or the law enforcement of the city. Can you explain that? Is that, um, so is
this in addition to the hospital personnel or are we just given the authority to the sheriff now to be able to
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
15:45
do the same thing. If you give me a moment, I'm going
to read it to make sure I answer that appropriately. 20-47. Yeah, I think it's just clarifying that they will have the same authority in this setting as they currently have under statute in 20-47-219. So
if you see at the bottom there where it references it up. I think it's just clarifying that they already have that authority elsewhere in statute. And since we're creating this new section, we want to make sure and clarify that they're given the same authority in this section as they have other sections of the code. All right committee,
any other questions? See none. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak for or against the bill. Seeing no representative you
reckons close for your bill. I'm close for my bill and make a motion to pass. That's proper motion any
discussion on the motion? See none. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed. Congratulations Representative Johnson, you passed your bill while you're at the end of the table. Are you prepared to run a 1253. I know you have
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
17:01
an amendment for that bill. I am, I, I do have, I have people here from out of town for house Bill 1532, uh, if I were gonna run a bill next, I might
ask if I could run that bill if it were OK with the committee. There's some folks that have traveled in and and uh one person in particular that has flown in and uh. I wanna, I wanna have the opportunity to present the other bill as well, but Without objection from the committee, we'll
honor that request. You're recognized to present House Bill 1532. Yeah, if I may, I have someone that I'd like
Speaker 38
17:29
to come to the table with me if she's in the room, Lindsay, if you will please identify yourself for the record.
Lindsey Viscara
Unverified
17:43
Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Chair, Mr. Vice Chair members. My name is Lindsey Viscara, and I'm proud to serve as the state
Speaker 70
17:54
policy manager for the National Organization for Rare Disorders, or NORD. I'm also a rare disease parent myself, two of my 3 children have rare diseases, so I'm here, I'm doing double duty today. I'm pleased to be here to support HB 1532, which would create a rare disease advisory council in the state of Arkansas. So for those of you that are not
familiar with rare diseases or with the national organization for Rare Disorders, a rare disease is defined federally as any disease that affects fewer than 200,000 people. Um, for contexts that's about 30 million Americans or about 1 in 10. So even though each rare disease is rare as a whole, we are definitely not rare. Um, about half of those are children, all pediatric cancers are rare, um, about 80%-ish have a genetic component, so they
don't come from nowhere, but no one is immune to a rare disease. Um, a rare disease advisory council is the state level advisory body that gives the rare disease community of voice in state government. They vary across the country in composition, in size, and housing agency and in their duties, but they all have the common goal of giving rare disease patients and their families a voice in state government as of today there are 30 rare disease advisory councils across the country.
Rare disease patients face unique challenges. Our challenges are different from those of common diseases. They can range from obtaining an accurate diagnosis to accessing medical specialists with knowledge of our diseases. I know for me in particular, we drive 4 hours for 1 kid. We fly to the other end of California for the other because there are no specialists near us, and most states have no specialists for any particular rare disease. So sometimes um it's a matter of leaving the state to find a specialist.
Arkansas's AA would help address these issues by providing a forum for stakeholders across the state, knowledgeable about the needs of rare disease patients to make recommendations to the legislature, to the governor, and other state agencies about policies that would impact our community. In addition to serving the rare disease community itself, the ADA would help relieve some of the fiscal burden on the state by expeditiously delivering direct feedback solutions and resources to government decision makers with regard to drug costs, research, education, and
the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. While we fully understand concerns about boards, commissions, and councils that spend state funds without providing meaningful output and our docs are not typically one of these types of councils. The rare disease community is a powerful force, and those that volunteer to serve on an artA typically are the most dedicated and hardworking individuals that I've ever met. The nature of rare disease requires us to drive forward change ourselves and most of the
folks that serve on an ADAC are Without a doubt the most dedicated that I have ever met. I have no doubt that Arkansas's RDA would be a shining a shining example of the value of an art. Um, in most states, RAs operate without specific appropriation or without funding. There are a handful that do have a little bit of funding. It tends to be fairly small. But they do make a significant impact on the rare disease community despite the small amount of funding. Most art acts have conducted
landscape surveys that inform their policy recommendations, which directly benefit the rare disease community. Um, I wanted to mention that art and Arkansas's ADA in particular would be charged with, among other duties, developing policy recommendations related to orphan drug pricing or rare disease drug pricing prior authorization, cost sharing, and other barriers to care which can optimize the care for rare disease patients while potentially generating cost savings for the state's health care system. Um, again, I thank you for your
time today and I'm happy to answer any questions. Representative
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
21:58
Valen, do you have a question? You recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, thank you, Doctor Johnson, for all the good work that
you're doing in our community. However, I want to know how, where's the funding going to come from when they have these meetings. I didn't see a funding source in the bill, so which you be kind enough to explain that to me.
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
22:14
It's a, it's a good question, Representative Allen. You know, anytime we set up a new advisory council or board or commission,
you know, I know she mentioned that a lot of states don't require funding, but typically in our state we, we do pay some sort of per diem and there's some sort of administrative costs for some of those things right now we don't have funding identified. We'd be hopeful that we would be able to set this up without funding, but right now there's no funding identified for it. Thank you. Any
other questions by the committee? Representative Rose, you're recognized for a question. Thank you.
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
22:46
And you may have mentioned this. I was. Reading along with you while you
were speaking, but did, did you, uh, the top of your head, know how
many uh rare diseases are represented. Patients with rare diseases are represented in our state. Unfortunately,
Speaker 70
23:02
prevalence data is extremely hard to come by in the rare disease community. Um, we do know that it's about 1 in 10, so if you take the population of Arkansas and you divide it by 10, that's a pretty general number, um, but unfortunately it's, it's really hard to come up with prevalence data. Because of the nature of the diseases. Uh, follow up, Mr.
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
23:23
Chair. You'd, uh, hypothetically, if If you weren't to have the,
I mean, I know we don't have the council now, and if you weren't to continue to have the council, what changes like what, what
Speaker 91
23:36
is the problem this is solving if there's no counsel, what's our, what's our biggest
Speaker 70
23:41
challenge? Sure. The biggest challenge for the rare disease community is access, um, the second biggest I would say is probably cost, and so in the states that do have art acts.
Um, those are dos can work with the Medicaid agency they can work with some states have prescription drug affordability boards, um, to work toward getting a little bit of clarity on the pricing of um rare disease drugs tend to be incredibly expensive, um, and also to help to bring awareness to rare disease to help with the access problems that we all have. Um,
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
24:16
and, um, I appreciate Representative Johnson's answer on the hope that this would, you know, incur no costs, but to
Representative Allen's point, and we, we've had this discussion on a couple other bills this week, um, just trying to nail down the numbers that it would require and I think it's a worthwhile cause when you're saying you want to address cost, the challenges um that, that come with these. Is, is there any type of figure at all that you're able to reference? So, uh, I don't have a reference
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
24:44
for here. Do you have an idea, the ones
that do cost money, what's, what's the cost of some of the other? The lowest I think is about
Speaker 70
24:55
$50,000 per year, and that really is just travel reimbursement for members who are traveling to meetings, although most do it do virtual meetings and then um I think the highest is maybe 300 or $400,000 a year, um, and that one would be an anomaly. It would typically be under 200,000 or so. prayer. Representative Moore, you can ask for a question.
Speaker 101
25:21
Thank you, Mr. Chair. piggybacking off of resentative
Rose's question, what successes have you seen in other states that these advisory councils have
Speaker 70
25:32
had. Thank you for the question. Um, so Minnesota's AAC is, is one of the It has Done the biggest thing, um, they were instrumental in passing a network access bill in 2023, um, for those folks that like me um aren't able to get to a specialist in their own network so that insurers are required to provide access outside of the
network, um, in several states, the ADAs have been working with the prescription drug Affordability Boards to inform their work as they look at medications that treat rare diseases, whether those are solely orphan drugs or whether They are drugs that also treat common conditions but have an indication for a rare disease, so they have been very, very helpful in those states and the prescription drug affordability boards have heavily leaned on the art acts because the art acts are. Comprised of many members and
they have physicians and nurses and patients and caregivers. They're able to provide a pretty robust, um, look at the rare disease, um, landscape from a variety of different perspectives. Um, and then most um art acts like I said, have done a survey of the rare disease population in their state and so, you know, you can't solve a problem until you know what the problem is, and so the first thing they do is to survey the rare disease population to find out where those barriers are, um, so that
then they can work on policy recommendations too. To help with them.
Speaker 105
27:07
Representative Grama, you have a question? Yeah, and I think I echoing and
Representative Zack Gramlich
Unverified
27:09
kind of picking back off a lot of people say, I think. I like the idea of where we're going with this, but there's a lot of things we don't know yet, and I think we may need to study a little bit more, especially on the funding piece and some of the other pieces like set this system up, um, would it be better to like study this before we get it set up or or do you think we should be?
Like making this set up today and. I guess really trying to put a price tag something we don't know yet.
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
27:34
I mean, it's a good question, you know, there's always opportunity to study things in the interim and look at it closer, um, you know, that's something
that was done a few years ago, but um You know, it's certainly something that we could think about. And I would, I would entertain that depending on, you know, depending on what other questions if there's any other questions, but that's something we could certainly look at doing. We've got a few more in the queue. Let's hear the questions
and then we'll defer back to you, Representative Johnson. uh, Representative
Chair
Unverified
28:03
Ladyman, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, so, ma'am,
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
28:08
you said, uh, 30 states have done this or 30, is that 30 states or are there duplicates in the state? 300s, uh, well, of course. The cost is a concern here. And we don't know how much that is, uh, Studies like this can be funded through our council, which meets in the interim, so there's funds
available, but that would take some discussion, some study. So Representative Johnson, I, I, I think if we put this in an interim study and looked at kind of got an idea of the cost and it might be something we could fund through rules in council if you'd be willing to do that. I, I think that's fine, you know,
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
28:50
I, I want to say a couple of other things about these rare diseases. There's a point that was made here that I think got glossed over a little that I think, I think's important to make. You know, we talk about
rare diseases rare disease is defined as only 1 in 200,000 people rot havoc. So it's rare, but the unusual thing is that rare diseases are common. One of the things she mentioned that I think is important for everybody to take home is 1 in 10 people. have a rare disease. So while rare diseases themselves are unusual for an individual. They're commonplace across our state and across our country. Everyone in this room is going to know somebody that has a rare disease, and the challenges they
face are unique both around diagnosis around the unique cost of the medicine to treat these folks, you know, there are, there are folks that are, uh, one or two people in the state are the only people that have this, and because these are unusual diseases, there's a lot of challenges around the time frame to diagnose and then also challenges around how we're going to pay for their medicines because, you know, drugs cost money and and they're made to scale. This is a committee I think that could help make some advisory, um, uh, recommendations both on
legislation for, uh, our body to consider in future sessions, but also one of the things that happens sometimes is the interaction with the drug users drug utilization review board, which looks through Medicaid at how much drugs cost and so I do think there's a role for a committee like this and helping advise folks, but I also don't disagree that there's probably some opportunity to work on this, uh, more in the interim
and come back with something that is a little more constructed, yes. Representative, we have 2 more questions in the queue and then
you'll be recognized again. Representative Bentley. probably like Representative
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
30:43
Allen. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I, I, I realize what you're trying to do and this is very important, but I don't think that we should be bogged down on what it's gonna cost because many of the people that will be attending this meeting. In my opinion, these are people that are committed and they want to do something about this disease, our diseases, so I don't want us to.
To try to send this to interim study and to do uh a little bit more massage on the bill when we can just go ahead on and pass the bill and if we're, if that's a problem with it, I, I know, uh, Doctor Johnson, that I could speak for his character. I can also speak for your, your integrity, and I realized what what you're trying to do too, so, uh, this, this is a good deal. And, and when I asked that question, that was not my intent to. To try to derail the bill, but I
was just curious because we have said when I in the past we we uh established different commissions. And there were no funding for those commissions, but the people that served on those commissions continued to come every day. I mean, every, every month they had a meeting, so I, I think that the people that serve on this board on this advisory panel would also be committed to doing it, so let's think about that because as we make decisions upon the decisions, people are dying.
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
32:09
Thank you for those comments. So what I'd like to do today, and I, I appreciate what you're saying, um, y'all know I like to get consensus when I can, and this is a topic that I'm now committed to, um, and what you know I'm I'm convinced there needs to be better communication around rare diseases across the different agencies and with the legislative body. If this is the right way, we can work on that. There may be another way, right, to nuance this, uh, and I am committed to working on this in the interim. What I'd like to do right now is pull it down for the moment. And we can have discussions
amongst members and I'll make a decision moving forward after visiting with each of you all some individually. Alright,
Representative, we'll, we'll honor that request. Thank you. While you're at the end of
the table, we'll move back up the agenda and pick up. House Bill 1253, I believe it has an amendment. Yes. Alright, Staff is gonna pass that out. We'll give members just a
Unknown speaker
33:13
Few minutes to review that and you'll be recognized.
Representative Johnson, if you will, identify yourself for the
record, and you are recognized to present your amendment, Representative Lee Johnson, District 47 members of
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
34:29
this amendment just adding Senator Boyd as a co-sponsor, and I appreciate a good vote. Any
discussion on the amendment. All those in favor say aye, opposed. Congratulations, Chief pass your amendment you are recognized to
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
34:50
present House Bill 1253 as amended. Thank you. If it's, if
it's OK with the committee and the chair, I'd like to have Dr. Morchetti. He's here in the
room. Brandon Morchetti come and sat at the table with me. When you come to the
Brandon Morchetti
Unverified
35:06
end of the table, please identify yourself for the record, and you're recognized. Good morning, Mr. Chairman and committee members. My name is Dr. Brandon Morchetti. I'm an emergency medicine physician
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
35:12
and EMS medical director. Members, we do have a handout with the permission of the chair, we'd like to pass that out. I can help with that. You're recognized to pass that out.
Members, I, I know we've heard several compacts in this committee, and we're probably going to hear more and I, I understand sort of the nuanced nature of those compacts sometimes. Some are good, some are not as good, right? Um, I, I am someone I think you know who's very familiar with pre-hospital medicine. Um, I'm fortunate to be the medical director for two different EMS services in the state and practice emergency medicine here in the states since 1999. All of that said, the gentleman here to my right, we're fortunate to have him in the state, um, because while I'm making myself an expert in emergency
medicine who has experience in prehospital medicine. He truly is an expert in the field of prehospital medicine, um, and so I'm happy to have him here today to speak towards the value of this compact, and I'm just going to let him explain to you why, why he thinks this is a good idea, why we both collectively think this is a good idea, and then we'd be happy to try to
Brandon Morchetti
Unverified
36:26
answer any questions anyone has. All right. Thank you, Representative Johnson. So I have the honor of serving as an EMS medical director for over 2000 licensed EMS professionals in our state through my roles
with Metropolitan EMS, the Little Rock Ambulance Authority, about 30 fire departments here in the central Arkansas area. Most of the air medical helicopters in our state through Ava Life Team, which are primarily positioned around the perimeter of our state, as well as dozens of additional helicopters just across the border of all of our states, um, also. through all of the Arkansas state parks and Arkansas Task Force One, which is a FEMA type 2 urban search and rescue team that is often deployed out of
state as well. Also appointed to the governor's EMS Advisory Council. I serve as the acting chair of the National AMS Advisory Council and currently the immediate past president of the Arkansas chapter of the National Association of EMS Physicians. Currently a licensed paramedic as well with licenses in multiple. and been doing EMS for about 23 years. Very happy to be back home. I don't mean to interrupt. Did you say you're a
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
37:30
licensed paramedic in addition to being a man, it makes me feel like a slacker. All right, fair enough, uh,
Brandon Morchetti
Unverified
37:39
and, uh, I'll note that our Representative Johnson did not fly me in. So on behalf of the EMS physicians in the state and over 8700 EMS professionals in the state also on behalf of the Arkansas Ambulance Association, the Arkansas EMT Association and the Arkansas State Firefighters Association and with the full support of the Arkansas Department of Health section of EMS. I'm here to speak on behalf of supporting House Bill 1253 to
adopt the EMS Compact. You see the map that you have there in front of you, the EMS compact has been adopted. by 24 states already, including all six states that touch Arkansas's borders, which unfortunately leaves us kind of isolated and secluded as a nonparticipant as Representative Johnson mentioned, you've heard multiple compacts come through this committee already. Arkansas's part of 6 occupational licensure compacts already, 7 being proposed during this legislative session. This one, in my opinion, being the most consequential when we talk
about our state's public safety and emergency preparedness. specifically for this EMS compact, Arkansas's participation in this compact would immediately provide several benefits to the public, not including or including but not limited to giving our public citizens access immediately to multiple licensed personnel, specifically in the border communities, right, against the state borders that are usually underserved and underrepresentative with lack of
EMS services. It would enhance our state's ability to protect our public health. and our public safety. It would encourage cooperation and exchange of information between member states. It would support the licensing and transition of military members to civilian practice. It would promote compliance with our state laws governing EMS practice. It could empower all member states to hold EMS personnel accountable in the event of disciplinary action as it stands today, if I was disciplined in another
state, had my license sanctioned or suspended. or even revoked. I could walk into Arkansas tomorrow, fill out an initial licensing application, not even disclosed that I had an a license in another state and of course not mention the egregious behaviors that I had and with Arkansas not having the ability to vet that licensing application or have any access to any database showing disciplinary action, I'd be able to get a license here in Arkansas and continue practicing like no one ever knew what I did in another state.
As an EMS medical director that terrifies me, knowing that about 2000 professionals I'm responsible for, we don't know if they're licensed in another state or what they've done in that state. It would increase our community's resilience in responding to disasters and multiple casualty incidents. It would increase that license workforce to come across our state lines and answer that 911 call, whereas today they legally, legally would not be able to do that. It would improve the flexibility and mobility of EMS clinicians to come into our state. to respond to public health or
safety needs from neighboring states. It would be a nice recruitment and retention tool also for some of our agencies as well, and they'd be able to do this in the absence of a formal disaster declaration under EMAC for a simple, you know, 911 call or multiple casualty incident today and would reduce the duplication of state licensure data so we could actually get a more accurate count, which would help with grant funding for us as well. This EMS compact has been around since 2013 for 12 years now
originally enacted through about 21 different national entities that helped put this together 24 other states have joined. We have very broad support across the state to be the 25th state, similar to us being the 25th state to join the union, just FYI, the one that out there, um, there are multiple benefits I could go through, but you guys have a packed agenda today, so in the interest. Time I will open up back to you guys for questions. Any questions from the committee, Representative
Ladyman, you reckon to ask for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
41:51
Well, I think this is a great idea. Uh, as I've said many times, you know, Arkansas is a state of border cities, and we, you know, you, you just go down the list, Fort Smith, Texicana, West Memphis, and even Jonesboro, Fayetteville, Rogers, we're on the border. So I see these compacts as being able for our people to go to these other states as well as they come to our state to work in different areas, and I think it's good for
the state, but my question is, uh, How do we know, you may have touched on this, but I didn't hear it. Uh, how do we know that these folks, what's their training? Is it a standardized training or are
they trained at the same level as our people? Can you kind
Brandon Morchetti
Unverified
42:32
of touch on that a little bit? Yes, sir, to be a member of the compact, you must have passed the national registry of EMT examination, that is a national standardized examination and pass a federal background check, so you have to have a license in a home state after passing a nationally
standardized exam in order to be eligible for or that privilege to practice here in Arkansas through the compact. Any
additional questions by the committee, Representative Long recognized for a question. Sorry for so
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
43:02
many questions today, but um, you know, the last few compacts we've done, um, we Ended up doing that what I'll call the Ward law amendment. I like that. This is kind of long. I've been reading through here, but so I didn't get finished with it. I'll call you in there anywhere. Yeah, I'll call your
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
43:18
attention. I, this is a great question, Representative Long, and I'll call your
attention to page. Uh, 21, uh, line 7 through 18 I believe that is the language. That will from now on, as you've mentioned, be dubbed the War Law Amendment. I like that. He would too. I think and and representing Wardlaw's credit, like this is an important point to make, right? I think it's important in these compacts to retain some autonomy and authority around these compacts
as best we can, and I think the language that he came up with last session is really strong language that helps these compacts be better in our state and so, yeah, I was happy to add that language to the to the bill. Good deal. Thank you, sir. I appreciate you pointing it out.
Any additional questions by the committee. Is there anyone in the audience that likes to speak for
or against the bill? Seeing non representative, you're clothes for your bill. Uh, members, thank you. I, I'm close to the bill and make a motion to pass. That's a proper motion discussion on the motion?
Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. All those opposed. Congratulations, Representative Johnson, you
passed your bill. As amended. Representative Moore, are you prepared to present Senate Bill 187. OK.
Unknown speaker
44:53
Moving down the list. Representative Gramick, are you prepared to present Senate Bill 139?
Zach Gramlich
Unverified
45:42
You say your name for the record and you're recognized to present your bill. My name is Zach
Representative Zack Gramlich
Unverified
45:50
Gramlich, uh, state state representative for District 50, Fort Smith. Um, what I'm doing today is I'm presenting a Senate Bill 139, what Senate Bill 139 does is essentially takes non-competees, um, you can't put a non compete on a physician whose only job is to be a physician if I were to be a doctor who walks into a place, performs my services, and leaves non-competes seem to be unenforceable by our.
common law, um. It, right now we show that there's any part of a non-compete that is um. That is not enforceable. The whole whole non-compete is unenforceable. There's uh various uh various case cases to show that just, it just doesn't work. Now if a physician has any other responsibility in a hospital besides just walking in and being a doctor, then a non-compete can still exist, and this doesn't affect any any other kind of noncompetes. It's not business or manufacturing or anything like that is simply
physicians, um, you know, in their, in their scope of practice, and I would just give a couple examples about why we really need to do something like this. Um What ends up happening is we patients lose access to care. Um, if I am, well, in any, any hospital, uh, rural, r is a great example. If I'm in a rural hospital and I'm the only doctor of mine kind around to perform whatever service and I want to open up my own clinic and I have a nongapite with a range around me then if I want to open a clinic, I have to leave. I have
to leave town and then those those patients in that area, they lose, they lose access. Same thing is happening in my my area, especially Fort Smith. Um, you know, we have hospitals that have non-compete and if someone wants to stay in my city, um, but they have a non compete, they have to leave and they go to Northwest Arkansas or Little Rock or another state, and then they may never come back or they may come back in a year, but in the interim, people lose access to care because their physician left, so um that's what I'm attempting to do
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
47:46
today. Representative Johnson, you're asked for a question. Uh, I had the bill pulled up and then I lost it. Hold on just a second. So, and I just, I just want, this is an issue that I've looked at before, and I commend you for bringing it forward. Um, I, I do think like, I think this, the current law is pretty clear. It looks to me like what you're doing is just emphasizing and clarifying if you, if you read current statute the way it currently reads, would you agree that it reads this section, which is the section around non-competees.
shall not, and on page 2, lines 2 and 3, apply to a person holding a professional license under and then it lists that code. If you go back to that code, that's all these healthcare professionals. So to me as current statute stands, it's pretty clear that no compete shouldn't apply to anyone with the healthcare professional license, it looks to me like we're just emphasizing that point because cases have come forward and continue to come forward and continue to be found
to be unlawful. To enforce, is that the main
Representative Zack Gramlich
Unverified
48:50
reason for this is that, I would agree, um, you know, and, and the things that are constraining like there's no real um good argument for
a distance. There's no real good argument for a time. It's all arbitrary anyways. And the other reality is too, it's it's costing everyone money. I mean, a lot of people are losing money fighting these non-competees and stuff, and then at the end of the day to go to court and find, oh yeah, it wasn't enforceable, you can go. And so it's going to save everyone money and drive down health care costs, etc. Members, any other questions?
Seeing none. Is there anyone in the audience who would like to speak for or against the bill? See nonrepresentative, you reckon that's close for your bill? I'm closed, and a motion to pass. That's proper motion. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Opposed. Congratulations, Representative, you passed your bill. Thank you. Thank you. Committee without objection, we're going to move back up to Senate Bill 186. I see Senator Brown has made it into the room. Are you prepared to present that, sir? You're recognized to go to the end of the table. If you will state your name for the record and you'd be recognized to
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
49:53
present your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you committee, Joshua Bryant, Senate District 32. A Senate Bill 186, uh, is in our, in our labor code, Title 17, and the
intent of the bill is to increase the limits of a restricted commercial license from 750,000 to $1.5 million. So the context for this, if you're going to build a commercial structure or go get into the work of high dollar work, you have to present application and go for your general contractor's
license unrestricted. Which means you have to present a financial report, the costs anywhere from $3000 to $5000 higher bond limits if you choose to go to the bond instead of the financial statement. However, there was a provision carved in the law that says if you do any single project, For $750,000 or less, uh, and two stories are under, you can just provide a compiled financial statement, which is a much lower bar for the CPA.
Um, to a much lower bar for the CPA and you don't have to go into a different realm of financial accounting, you can still get the bond to satisfy that, but what it does is it prevents uh our CPAs from acquiring that work. So if I did a project 5 years ago, it might have cost $700,000 but that same project with the cost increases and labor increases are now well in excess of a million dollars. I don't may or may not do more work than that single project, but I would be required to do demands of an unlimited license
holder. So I'm just trying to increase that 750,000 up to 1.5 million to be able to capture those one-offs of those um
restricted license holders. Thank you, sir. Committee, any questions? Representative
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
51:45
Ladyman, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, Senator
Speaker 148
51:48
Bryant, uh, has this ever been increased or when was it increased? I believe
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
51:54
2017 was the last time, uh, and maybe even implemented in 2017. That's
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
51:59
the last time I saw the code change. Representative Allen, you're recognized for a question. Thank, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I, I'm
a licensed contractor, by the way, so that's full disclosure. Uh, when you're talking about increasing it from 750 to 1.5, you
actually doubling it. So what, what happens to that small contract out there. That's having problems getting that bond in, the bonding process, and so you're gonna
raise it from 750 to 1.5, so now the only projects that he can compete on, it appears to me now that it's the 1.5. Is that
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
52:39
correct? I don't know if I'm following your line. So if I, if I'm going to do a, if I'm just a, a restrict currently just I am currently just a restricted license holder. And I can do As many projects as I want during a year as long as it's under any single project is under $750,000. If I get that one client that says, you do this work all the time. I would
like for you to bid on this, and I, the bid comes in at say 900,000 or $1.2 million which is where they are based on, you know, even pre-pandemic, they were closer to that $750,000 mark. I have to go back to the to the state, provide all my new financials and get an unrestricted license just to do that one job, and so it really is the 750,000 is really just kind of a, it's too, it's too low in the current market, especially for Northwest Arkansas. OK.
Speaker 101
53:34
Representative Mo, you recognize for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I like Mr. Allen and I'm also a licensed contractor. Sorry, I did not see this beforehand, Josh, or Senator Brian, I would have came in and talked to you about it. My concern would just be as a small commercial contractor. The amount that I would need to pay to a CPA to come to this level. would be restrictive from what I'm understanding, or are you saying you would still be able to provide the
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
54:06
Lower financial statement based on these, right, so that that's, that's really the impetus. So when I go to my CPA for my restricted license, and he sees there's one project that they hit that mark. First off, he'd say, hey, you did this project and you exceeded your license because really there's no really checks and balances that kind of self-regulated. And then he would ask me, Hey, do you need to go up next year. To a unrestricted license. If the answer was yes, he would say, I cannot do your financial
statement. I, I am not part of this CPA group. I'll need to re-refer you to another CPA and they're going to be about $5000 for you to get that unrestricted license, and then I say, well, I don't want an unrestricted. You charge about $500 for just the compiled statement. That's all that's required. Can I just go that route? And he, and he would say yes, then the next project that came up that was 900. $1000 or a million dollars, I wouldn't be eligible to compete with unless I went to the Arkansas contractors Licensing Board and increase my limit.
Speaker 101
55:09
Sorry, follow up. You Reagan. So just making sure so you could still do the compiled financial statement with this increase,
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
55:20
now it's 1.5 instead of 750,000. Representative Richardson, you're recognized
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
55:23
for a question. Thank you, Senator Bryant. So basically this is going to open it up for smaller businesses to really compete and not cost them as much money to get the financial statements, yes, thank you. Representative Rose, you're recognized
for a question. Thank you. I think Representative Richardson just
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
55:39
kind of hit it more or less, this is, this is not a restriction, but it's a threshold increase. Is that way I'm reading that, that'd be a proper way to describe it. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Committee, any other
questions? Seeing no, is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak for
or against the bill? Seeing none, we have a motion, Representative Ladyman, you recognized for a motion. Motion to pass. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none. All those in favor
say aye. All those opposed? Congratulations, sir, you've passed your bill. All right. House Bill 1566, Representative McClure. You're recognized to go to the end of the table. If you will, sir, identify yourself for the record and you'll be recognized to present. Good morning everyone. State
Representative Rick McClure
Unverified
56:39
Representative Rick McClure, District 29. Uh, this is it started out as a constituent bill. That deals with the core curriculum of a practical nursing programs. We have great wonderful practical nursing programs around the state. But they do have a little bit of variation in their core curriculum and We want to try to create a common sense goal. Uh, schools have the latitude of what curriculum and electives that they offer, um, I'm on the board of visitors at ASU Three Rivers. We have a wonderful
nursing program there, so I've been able to see this from their perspective. The practical nursing programs. are some of the most needed. That we have right now in the medical field because it's, it's, it's an entry point level. It's not a CNA, but it's a peon and we need nurses. Now, I have observed and I have not kept count, but I have remembered, I have talked to several young ladies that were going through a program in my
area, then life changes. Might have been a marriage, could have been a divorce, whatever. They moved to another part of the state and they want to continue their education and get that PN program. Well, now they're because there's no, there's no uh synchronization on the core curriculum, they may have to take additional classes can be different. This delays the graduation timeline can cost that student more money. Um, might be financial aid
that's costing it and um I've tried to look at this is for my potential employer, which I am not. But uh we know that our schools are good. But I think I would like to know what the students are taking and then it would be at least on the core curriculum side synchronized across the state, so. What this does, this bill would require that the nurses, the nurse administrators of nursing education to continue as an advisory group, the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
To review and develop a core curriculum. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing is still in control. Nurse administrators, nurse education programs will report to the General Assembly any changes being made. Now, Anytime we deal with medical, anytime we deal with education, we all know that there's timelines and lots of viewpoints and back and forth, so the target date for this is not until 20, the academic year of 2029, 2030. So we're setting a course, setting a goal.
Uh, so we're not changing the flow chart now I'm a very logical practical guy and I know that sometimes doesn't fit in education and sometimes that doesn't fit in medical, but this makes sense to me from a student's perspective going into the medical field, and I, I'm just, I've wondered, I have did not have time to study, but I wonder if we synchronized all of our core curriculum, what the economy of scales would be for curriculum cost for our schools, so.
And it reinsure potential employers that the programs are all synchronized and with, with that, Mr. Chair, I would like to bring a guest up that could help answer
some questions. We'll honor that request, OK. If you will,
Genevieve White
Unverified
1:00:08
please state your name for the record and you'll be recognized. Good morning. My name is Genevieve White. I am a program
Speaker 160
1:00:13
director, uh, the practical nursing program at South Arkansas College, but today I am representing, uh, Nana, the
nurse, um, administrators of. nurse education programs in Arkansas, um, and a subcommittee that worked on this, uh, proposal. Are you, do you have
testimony prepared, ma'am? You'd be recognized for that testimony. Right.
Speaker 160
1:00:43
I The reason that we, um, In January of 2024, we became
aware that there were key stakeholders in Arkansas that we're looking at nurse education and um to try to solve some problems, mostly with um. Um, not enough nurses in Arkansas, um, so it came to their attention that Arkansas had a very diverse, um, group, uh, Practical nursing programs, uh, not consistent at all in the length of the programs, how many
credit hours were in the programs, how many clinical hours were in the program, and so it seemed to be a concern and so we as nurse educators, we wanted to address the concerns of our key stakeholders and so a legislative committee, uh, for NAEP was created and A subcommittee that looked at the core curriculum of Arkansas. What, um, was formed and so first thing that we did, we surveyed the programs in
Arkansas to see what were the links, what were the, um, how many hours and we again noticed those inconsistencies. And um we started thinking about ways that we could improve that. And so this core group of nurse educators, um, looked at other states that have core curriculum and Mississippi was the, um, was the state that We thought would be the most
closely related to us as far as their student population and the curriculum was in that, um, the length of the curriculum was in that middle ground, um, as far as length, so we have, we have curriculums that are 35 hours. We have curriculums that are 53 hours this curriculum was at 48 hours we chose 44 hours for our curriculum and we chose that because we know that. ing hours away from schools is
going to be financially, um, it's gonna affect them financially and so we wanted to be fair and not cause too much, um, financial hardship for these. Um, programs. The positives that we we think the positives are, first of all, that this would be created by nurse educators and not um college administrators and not legislators it would be, um, nurse educators at the table working on the curriculum. It would um.
Help the state board of nursing, I believe, um, in their, uh, The way that they, uh, review programs to make sure that we're all doing what we're supposed to be doing. It would give increased support to program directors, um, at the PN level, there's very few of us that are, um, Educated educators we are nurses by profession and so that would give us support of each other so we would all be on the same
playing field, um, the ability for students to potentially um transfer in between programs would be a benefit. And our. Our students that go on to bridge programs to RN programs, those programs would already know everything that the student had been, um, had been, uh, taught. And I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you, ma'am, for your testimony. I'm gonna
start with the question. So I, I like the
intent of what you're trying to do here. I think that the intent of the bill is good. I think that that this may be addressed as an issue in the future that would need to be looked at. I am concerned with the timing of it. I think that um. You know, there's not been a program that's piloted currently this curriculum yet to really see the results or the numbers or anything to know if this is the path that we would want to go down moving forward. So to mandate this at this date and time seems to me to to be getting the proverbial cart
before the horse. Um, I do have some concern with that. I have some concern that it may would would cause or have some impact adversely on funding for nursing programs in other schools across the state that may not. want to continue a nursing program with a forced curriculum without those results. So I think that that again, the premise of what you're trying to do is good. I think that this is a good, uh, future potential piece of legislation, I think today may be a little bit too early. Those are my thoughts. I'd love to hear your feedback on that.
Representative Rick McClure
Unverified
1:05:34
I'd call your attention to page 3 and section 3, where
it talks about a small group of practical nursing programs shall pilot. The practical nursing program for curriculum develops, which is what you're saying, but you're asking for it to be done. We're trying to say let's set this and say this is what we want done is to go develop that and then bring back the core curriculum. So But your
bill causes it to be implemented across all nursing programs, correct? It would be suggested what's
Representative Rick McClure
Unverified
1:06:05
going to happen? They're going to develop this core curriculum and it's still going to be submitted back to the Arkansas nursing Board, so they're still in charge. We're not touching the RM program, the CNA program, any of those things. This just kick starts this to do that if that works. If that works, then we might look at it for other programs. If it doesn't work and it blows up, we can come back in another session and redo whatever we need to do, but with so many different entities with so many different programs, we need some
direction to set the course to get everybody
on board. And I appreciate that. I think that that you and I are on the same page. I think that this is something I'd like to see piloted. I don't think that this bill accomplishes that as written, but we'll start down some questions. Representative Bennet, you're recognized for a question.
Representative Denise Jones Ennett
Unverified
1:06:53
Thank you, Mr. Chair. You already addressed some of the questions I had, but I do have a question. Uh, will this produce more LPN graduates. It will not
Representative Rick McClure
Unverified
1:07:08
The bill itself will not. Thank you. I think one of the other things that we didn't touch on. This is not addressing any, any uh electives that a program may or may not have. So those programs that might have a little change in core curriculum may elect to go back and put in an elective in a particular area to get those credit hours and
Speaker 160
1:07:30
funding, so. Also, if I may, and to continue to answer the question, is that there is built into this if a if
a person has already, um, achieved a CNA license, uh, we're giving them credit in this program so that they're not having to retake some of the course work that they had to take for the CNA and also for the medication assistant, um, there's built in an ability for them to not have to take that part. In addition, we are allowing for them to. after the first semester or part of the coursework, then sit for their CNA, um, license so they can get a microcredential or a,
uh, a, a workforce credentials so that they can go to work, even if they've not completed the program. Representative Bentley, you're
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
1:08:27
recognized for a question. Right now. Thank you, thank you, Chairman. Um, do we have in statute that British core curriculum for registered nurses, do we have anything in statute for registered nurses. You'll have to turn your mic
Speaker 177
1:08:39
on, ma'am. Thank you. There's not a core curriculum for registered
Speaker 160
1:08:42
nursing, of course, the state board of nursing has in its laws and rules what has to be um what has to be taught within those programs. Exactly. So the state board
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
1:08:51
of nursing controls and to me this is exactly who needs to control this is the state board of nursing. Does the state board of nursing approve this bill?
Speaker 163
1:08:59
The state board of nursing does not have a um opinion. I, I have
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
1:09:03
heard that they from members on the board that they do not approve of this bill, so there are certain members that do not approve of this bill. That's my biggest concern is that that's really not the place
for this body for the legislature to come and determine what the state board of nursing is doing. It's really for the state board of nursing to determine what the core curriculum has been, as they do with the registered nurses as well. Do you know how many LPNs we need in the state of Arkansas right now? I do not, or. Over 1000 right now. Do you, are you aware of how much money this body is paying in contract nursing because we don't have enough LPNs in the uh veteran's home and our, our places that we have to pay for nursing, we're paying millions of dollars extra
because we don't have enough LPN, so I would, I would ask that all of you, um, In this endeavor would seek to double your program and double the amount of LPNs you put in and focus your attention on doubling the LPNs and work with the board of nursing to get a core curriculum. This is really not the place for this body to determine and tell the nursing board what they should be doing, so with that, I would suggest or ask uh Representative McClure to pull this bill and pull back and work with the nursing board and come back to us, some of the nursing board fully approves and we can as a body move forward. Thank you.
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
1:10:16
Representative Rose, you recognized for a question. Thank you. I was going along the same lines as what uh Representative Bentley
just asked. Just curious why, um, This bill Has an intent to set in statute the number of core curriculum credit hours for nursing. Is there a reason one, to put it in statute and for two, for a significant increase.
Speaker 160
1:10:47
Over what's currently in rule by the state board of nurse. So what is ruled by the state Board of nursing is a minimum. There's not a maximum and for Some schools there are almost enough hours for an associate degree in a practical nursing program that's a technical certificate. So that is, that is one reason. You
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
1:11:10
referenced that what was in rule was a minimum. Um, it appears that this puts in
statute a new minimum, and I'm not sure how the what the length of a nursing course is, but it would seem like it's 9 more hours, so at least 3 more courses or 2 labs or something along those lines. Is there some reason why you would be raising
Speaker 160
1:11:34
the minimum? In the statute. The intention was not to necessarily to raise the minimum, it was to keep from hurting, we, we. We wanted to set a number of hours that would keep from
Speaker 165
1:11:48
hurting the excessively hurting the the schools that have more hours than that. I understand
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
1:11:52
you say you don't want to set. It wasn't your intent to set a
minimum, but the way this looks to me is that it has set a minimum of 44 hours. I agree with what I I agree with that.
Speaker 163
1:12:02
So. Just that was not the intent though. I it wasn't
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
1:12:09
the intent, but you're agreeing that this does set a minimum that is was not what your intent was. It sets a standard number. OK, but it does set a new minimum.
Which you're saying was not the intent. Correct. OK. Um, I, I kind of would like to echo Representative Bentley and Representative McClure, um, very supportive of the work you're doing, but I'm hearing that. The bill has something inside of it that is not the intent. Of what was to be done. Mr. Chair, what I'd like to do
Speaker 185
1:12:40
is you'll need to turn your mic on Representative.
Representative Rick McClure
Unverified
1:12:46
I'm sorry. Mr. Chair, I'd like to pull the bill down for review and possible amendment at this time
at the proper time, we'll we'll entertain that. We do have a few more questions in the queue, and we've got a member of the public who signed up to speak on the bill, and we want to make sure that we afford that person that opportunity. Representative Pilkington, do you have a question? Representative Richardson Pass. All right, any other questions from the committee? Scene 9, we have a Miss Smith who has signed up to speak for the bill, Miss Smith, are you in the room? We sit down. We recognize you at this time to speak for the bill.
Cindy Smith
Unverified
1:13:27
Good morning. My name is Cindy Smith and I am the director of nursing at Arkansas State University BB. I have um been in nursing education for almost 30 years. The intent for this bill was not necessarily to demand, here's what we want you to do. Our concern was, um, there is such a variety in our LPM programs in the state that there is no consistency at all. And so in the
tracks that we developed in the standardized curriculum, there were literally 2 tracks that a, a nursing program could take. Therefore, it would not be changing all of their curriculum, core curriculum content that they're already doing. So with that said, um, to kind of reiterate what um Genevieve said, when we gathered together, our concern was we need, we do
need more nurses and the fact that um, Some may feel like this would not produce more nurses and my opinion, I believe that it would. I believe that allowing that transferability from one college to another would actually um allow more individuals to complete their education in the state of Arkansas. The other thing is we would be putting more workforce ready individuals out there for the individuals who could not
complete the LPM program in its entirety by providing stackable credentials such as the medication assistant and the nursing assistant, so, um, as we gathered as a legislative, um, nurse as nurse administrators, educators, um, legislative committee. We looked at all the programs we surveyed every program, we gathered data. We pulled all of that data together and that is where the 44 hours came from, uh, we
averaged all of those, and as Genevieve said, not taking away, um, so many and not adding so many that it would provide hardship on those schools. Being in nursing education for as long as I have, um, I see issues in the future that if uh we do not come up with some type of Standardization, uh, that we may lose more and more students and that is not our goal. Uh, our goal is we want to put as many
educated nurses out there that we can because I'm gonna be the person they're taking care of before long. And so, um, with that, uh, I will agree there probably are some adjustments that we can make in that, uh, proposed bill, um, but, um, it is something that we as educators in the state. I would like to look forward to. Thank you for your time. Are you willing to
take questions? Representative Pilkington, you recognize for a question. Thank you. Thank you for being
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
1:16:35
here, Mrs. Smith. Um, the nurse administrators of nursing programs, can you get? I'm not familiar with them, yeah, kind
of tell me who they are because they're predominant through this bill, and
Cindy Smith
Unverified
1:16:46
so I, I'm just not familiar with that organization. So Nana, which is, uh, the acronym we acronym that we use is the nurse administrators of nurse education programs of the state of Arkansas. There are different divisions within that. We have a PN council, we have an ADN council, a BSN counsel, and an actual higher level counsel.
We each come together, uh, and each council does, and we meet. The council actually has met several times on this bill, uh, on the proposed curriculum, and it was approved by the NAEP Council for the Pans, um, there, and we all, we all do have those concerns. Like I said, related to maybe taking away some credit hours, financial burden, and so on, but essentially we talk about different issues in the state that educational programs
are having. We talk about uh the future of our nurse. and graduates, we talk about problems that we have in programs and so it's a very collective time that we get together and
Speaker 196
1:17:47
discuss issues and this is a self-appointing board or,
Cindy Smith
Unverified
1:17:49
no, no, no, this is all the directors of nursing, deans of nursing, um, in
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
1:17:54
the colleges, yes. OK, thank you. I, I just need some clarity on that. I appreciate it. No problem. in Bentley, you recognize.
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
1:18:08
Thank you, Chairman. Um, do all LPNs have to take a national board test to at the end of the day they all have to be past the same exam to be able to practice, OK, um, I just don't, can you tell me why we just you guys cannot go to the nursing board and get this handled to the nursing board as they do with RNs because the nurse RNs have, you know, as you know, they're whole different avenues to become an RN as well. Why is this not just handled through the nursing board and then as normally, the nursing board comes to us with a recommendation. Actually, we did meet in January of
Cindy Smith
Unverified
1:18:40
2024 and we discussed these issues with the board of nursing and the recommendation was that Nana gathered together, devised a core curriculum and present it. It is my understanding if it passes, then, then we will, then the board will adjust what we call the Chapter 6 rules for nursing programs, but um, I, I think from what I'm understanding, you all saying is you would rather the state board of nursing implement this change, then it
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
1:19:11
be led by the nurse educators, am I correct? Well I'll let the, yeah, that's what her family and that that I just see this as a um This is from our perspective it seems like a direct attack on some new nursing schools that are open up that take a different avenue, and I think we need to, we're we're very concerned that we double the amount of LPNs that you guys are putting out, and that's what we would hope that you would focus on and go to the nursing board and get, get that, uh, where it needs to be. So thank you. Any other questions from the committee?
Annan, thank you for your testimony. Thank you. Representative McClure, I understand you have a request. Yes, I first
Representative Rick McClure
Unverified
1:19:55
of all, I want to thank the committee. I want to thank you for your input. I would ask that you continue your input as we go along this endeavor to get more PNs out into the workforce. And I appreciate your time, Mr. Chair. I'd like to pull the bill down for review and possible amendment.
Seeing no objection, I think that's a a proper request at this time. All right, thank you. Thank
you committee. Representative Johnson, you're ready to run
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:20:32
1586. Yes sir. Representative Lee Johnson, District 47. Um, members, a
couple of sessions ago, the way, the way we used to diagnose autism in
Arkansas required 3 disciplines to confirm the diagnosis of physician, a psychologist, and a speech pathologist. We were the only state in the union that required all three of those disciplines for diagnosis. We changed that law to require 2 out of 3 to diagnose autism. It's important to get that diagnosis correct, and it's important to have more than one set of eyes looking at people. Uh, but the problem is when we specified that the intent was to have 2 or 3 different disciplines, so not two speech
pathologists or two physicians or two psychologists, but to have either a combo of psychologists, physician, physicians, speech pass, speech past psychologists. This is just clarifying that to diagnose autism, you need two different disciplines uh to make that diagnosis and not two of the same discipline, and I'd be
happy to answer any questions. See no questions. Does anyone in the audience speak
for or against the bill? Are you closed for your bill?
Yes, I'm close to make a motion to pass. It's proper motion. He's cushion, seeing none
all his favor. Say ah. Opposed I
have it. Representative Woolridge, you recognized. House Bill
1471. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Jeremy Wooldridge, State Representative District one, presenting House Bill 1471. This is a simple bill. It's a
department bill in essence strikes 12 midnight June 30th as the expiration date for speech pathology and audiology and uh makes that a rolling calendar so it just renews each year at the end of that time. With that, I'll take any questions. See no questions or anyone in the audience speak for or against the
bill. You call this free Bill calls for my bill. Make a motion to do pass proper motion in discussion. Seeing on all those favor, say
ah. I post, I have it. Thank you. Remember seeing no other bills or members present to run bills. We stand adjourn.
Agenda
REGULAR AGENDA
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1169 L. Johnson TO CLARIFY THE ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR AN INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT TO INCLUDE A PERSON WHO IS IN A MENTAL CONDITION AS A RESULT OF A MEDICAL CONDITION.
HB1244 K. Brown TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF FULL INDEPENDENT PRACTICE AUTHORITY BY A CERTIFIED NURSE PRACTITIONER OR CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST.
HB1253 L. Johnson TO ADOPT THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL LICENSURE INTERSTATE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS.
HB1429 M. Shepherd TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY WHILE ENSURING QUALITY FOR CERTAIN FACILITIES PERFORMING MAMMOGRAPHY SERVICES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE QUALITY STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION OF FACILITIES FOR MAMMOGRAPHY.
HB1442 Achor TO SET RESTRICTIONS ON PHARMACY CONTRACTING AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST; AND TO ESTABLISH PHARMACEUTICAL PATIENT FREEDOM OF CHOICE.
HB1463 Hudson TO PROHIBIT DISCLOSURE OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST MATERIALS OR TEST DATA.
SB187 Irvin TO AMEND THE COMPOSITION OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID DRUG UTILIZATION REVIEW BOARD TO INCLUDE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.
HB1468 Cozart TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS AGAINST CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS TO REMEDY CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS.
HB1471 Wooldridge TO AMEND THE EXPIRATION DATE OF ALL LICENSES OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY.
HB1505 Wing TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC EMPLOYER TO OFFER AND PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR LICENSED COUNSELING FOR A PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED A TRAUMATIC EVENT.
HB1506 Andrews TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; AND TO PROHIBIT A PUBLIC EMPLOYER FROM DEDUCTING LABOR ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP DUES FROM THE COMPENSATION OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE.
SB186 J. Bryant TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED BY A LICENSEE OF THE CONTRACTORS LICENSING BOARD.
SB139 J. Boyd TO CLARIFY THAT A COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE AGREEMENT IS UNENFORCEABLE FOR CERTAIN LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.
HB1530 Achor TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "SPECIALTY HOSPITAL" RELATING TO THE ASSESSMENT FEE ON HOSPITALS UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.
HB1532 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS RARE DISEASE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
HB1543 Underwood TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025.
HB1554 A. Brown TO CREATE THE ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY REPORTING ACT.
HB1559 McGrew TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SEEK A WAIVER TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR COVERAGE FOR INPATIENT TREATMENT SERVICES FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.
HB1566 McClure TO REQUIRE ADOPTION OF A STATEWIDE PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM CORE CURRICULUM TO INCREASE CONSISTENCY IN PRACTICAL NURSING EDUCATION.
HB1575 Lundstrum TO PROHIBIT A PERSON THAT IS EMPLOYED OR HAS A DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTEREST IN AN ORGANIZATION THAT OWNS, OPERATES, REPRESENTS, OR APPLIES FOR A SOLID WASTE LICENSE OR PERMIT FROM SERVING AS A MEMBER ON CERTAIN BOARDS.
HB1576 Lundstrum TO PROHIBIT A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL OR TRANSFER STATION TO BE PLACED OVER A KARST TOPOGRAPHY.
HB1582 McAlindon TO REQUIRE AN INDIVIDUAL TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS UNDER THE DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES LAW.
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.
HB1586 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE MEDICAID WAIVER FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER TO CLARIFY THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS TO DIAGNOSE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER.
HB1588 McAlindon TO REQUIRE APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SEEKS OR IMPLEMENTS AN EXPANSION OF COVERAGE OR INCREASES COSTS TO THE STATE FOR THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.
HB1592 J. Mayberry TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA PUBLIC HEALTH ACT.
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE, Feb 27, 2025 | Agenda | 4 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge Chair
Unverified
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
Speaker 9
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
Representative Wayne Long
Unverified
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
Representative Dolly Henley
Unverified
Speaker 38
Lindsey Viscara
Unverified
Speaker 70
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
Speaker 91
Speaker 101
Speaker 105
Representative Zack Gramlich
Unverified
Chair
Unverified
Brandon Morchetti
Unverified
Zach Gramlich
Unverified
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
Speaker 148
Representative Rick McClure
Unverified
Genevieve White
Unverified
Speaker 160
Representative Denise Jones Ennett
Unverified
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
Speaker 177
Speaker 163
Speaker 165
Speaker 185
Cindy Smith
Unverified
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
Speaker 196
Representative Jeff Wardlaw Chair
Unverified