AR SB192

Establishes the Arkansas Council of Healthcare Professions within the Department of Health to evaluate and make recommendations to the General Assembly on scope of practice changes for healthcare professions.

Council composed of the Surgeon General, Department of Health Director, two community members appointed by the Governor for three-year terms, and one representative each from 18 healthcare licensing boards and the Arkansas Minority Health Commission.

Council evaluates requests from healthcare practitioners seeking new licensure, separate regulatory entities, or scope of practice expansions/narrowals based on objective criteria including knowledge, training, experience, and skills required.

Council examines impact on public health and safety, economic effects on healthcare delivery, whether benefits outweigh harms, and effects on healthcare availability, accessibility, quality, and health equity in the state.

Practitioners and healthcare professionals may submit written requests on or before July 1 of each even-numbered year; opponents may respond by September 1 with specific reasons for opposition; council must submit a report by October 31, 2020 detailing data gaps and needed information sources.