AR SB676

Amends Arkansas Code §§ 20-6-102 through 20-6-108 to revise definitions and procedures in the Arkansas Healthcare Decisions Act, including clarifying terms for advance directives, agents, guardians, surrogates, and healthcare institutions.

Changes "designated physician" requirements to allow a "licensed physician" to make capacity determinations and healthcare decisions when a designated physician is unavailable, reducing reliance on pre-designated individuals.

Modifies surrogate designation and selection procedures to use "identify" language instead of "designate," establishing a hierarchy of preference (spouse, adult child, parent, adult sibling, other relatives) when multiple eligible surrogates exist.

Repeals Arkansas Code § 20-13-104 (Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act) to consolidate healthcare decision-making authority under the Arkansas Healthcare Decisions Act.

Amends § 20-17-202 to allow declarations under the Arkansas Rights of the Terminally Ill Act to be executed on or after July 1, 2017, if either notarized without witnesses or compliant with the Arkansas Healthcare Decisions Act requirements.