AR HB1552

Authorizes the Arkansas State Board of Nursing to grant nursing licenses to recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy who meet standard nursing requirements and have valid employment authorization documents.

Requires DACA recipients seeking nursing licensure to demonstrate that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has approved their DACA exemption request, their exemption status has not expired or has been properly renewed, and they possess a current employment authorization document from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Identifies Arkansas nursing shortage and the departure of DACA-eligible nursing students after completing their coursework as the primary problem the legislation addresses.

Requires the Arkansas State Board of Nursing to promulgate rules implementing this section by January 1, 2020, or as soon as practicable after Legislative Council approval under § 10-3-309.

Bill was approved on April 10, 2019, and designates this provision as a state law within the meaning of 8 U.S.C. § 1621.