HB1359 Summary

• Abolishes four separate licensing boards: Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling, State Board of Examiners of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, Arkansas Psychology Board, and Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board

• Creates a new unified Arkansas State Board of Mental Health Professionals with 17 members to assume all powers, duties, functions, records, contracts, personnel, and funds of the abolished boards

• Establishes the new board with committees based on professional specialty categories to make recommendations on rulemaking, disciplinary issues, ethical complaints, and applicant evaluation

• Implements a streamlined consolidated application process requiring board review and approval/denial within 30 days, or 45 days if additional information is needed

• Declares an emergency effective date of July 1, 2023, citing cost efficiencies, operational streamlining, and economies of scale as justification for the consolidation