AR HB1649

Repeals Arkansas Code § 20-48-105 and §§ 20-48-1104 through 20-48-1106, which previously required counties to be designated as "underserved" before new licenses or service expansions could be approved for developmental disability service providers

Removes restrictions on licensure and certification for providers of early intervention day treatment services to children and nonresidential services to adults with developmental disabilities, eliminating the requirement to demonstrate county underserved status

Directs the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services to promulgate new rules by August 15, 2019, that promote patient choice and quality of care standards for facility operations, closures, sales, transfers, and expansions, without discriminating against qualified providers

Establishes legislative findings supporting patient choice in healthcare, competition benefits to consumers, and economic development principles that underserved communities use to recruit multiple business providers rather than limit them