HB 1568 Summary

• Establishes the Arkansas Advisory Council of Healthcare Professions within the Department of Health, composed of the Surgeon General (nonvoting) and one representative from 18 healthcare licensing boards and the Arkansas Minority Health Commission

• Council receives and evaluates requests from practitioners seeking to establish new licensed healthcare professions, establish separate regulatory entities, or expand/narrow scope of practice for existing professions

• Establishes advisory groups for each request that include practitioners seeking the change, opposing practitioners, neutral members, and a community representative to assess public health impacts, economic effects, and equity considerations

• Requests must be submitted by May 1 of even-numbered years with detailed descriptions of current laws, education requirements, and practices in other states; oppositions may be submitted by August 1

• Council reports findings to legislative committees and the Department of Health Director by October 31 of even-numbered years; subchapter expires January 1, 2021