AR SB178

Surrogates under the Arkansas Healthcare Decisions Act may now obtain records regarding a principal's income, assets, and banking/financial records to apply for public benefits like Medicare and Medicaid

Written designation authorizing surrogate authority must be notarized or signed by two non-familial witnesses, and must identify the principal, surrogate, and date of designation

Surrogate authority terminates when the principal regains decisional capacity, a power of attorney or guardian is appointed, or upon the principal's death

Financial institutions must provide 10 business days' notice to joint account holders before releasing records to a surrogate, allowing them to object in writing

Persons or entities providing records to surrogates in good faith are protected from civil, criminal, and administrative liability