Volume 2; Issue 5 March 5, 2025

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Arkansas Legislative Updates

See Latest DBH Weekly Legislative Updates Here

dbhmanagement.com

DBH Management Week 7 Legislative Report

The seventh week of the Session started with Senator Jonathan Dismang speaking at a luncheon at the State Chamber. He opened his remarks by asking who in the room thought this Session was off to a weird start and promptly raised his hand, as did everyone else in the room! He went on to comment that there hasn’t seemed to be any rhythm to the Session, but more slow, fast, slow, weather, fast, slow! He indicated he thought that budget bills would begin moving, and they have, although the members still have strong concerns about the costs of a new proposed prison. Those concerns came to light Thursday morning in the Joint Budget Committee meeting, when the Governor’s letter number 12, dealing with expected capital projects for the next biennium was introduced. A Governor’s letter, when adopted by the committee, simply gives the authority for an appropriation bill to be drafted. Letter number 12 had three separate projects listed. After almost an hour of questions a motion to vote on the new prison appropriations bill separately was approved, the other projects passed, but on a roll call vote the request to draft the prison appropriations bill failed!

HCR1006 the resolution that sets April 16th as the day to recess and May 5th the date of Sine Die passed out of the House on Thursday, and will be heard by the Senate next week. HB1417 designating the Mallard as the state duck landed on the Governor’s desk this week and is now Act 215. This week also saw the introduction of SB307, a bill that has been dubbed “the energy bill”, as it attempts to layout a new path for utility companies regulated by the Public Service Commission to be able to invest in new power generation. The bill passed out of the Senate Insurance and Commerce committee on Thursday. While it is a very technical 62 page bill, it appears to be on a fast track to passage.

Assuming that HCR1006 passes, we are roughly halfway through the Session and apparently things are getting a bit more tense between members. This week in the House, after committee meeting announcements had been made and the live streaming had stopped, Rep. Deann Vaught was recognized by the Speaker to go to the well as Chairman of the House Management Committee. Rep. Vaught addressed the members about chamber decorum that has apparently begun to slack off a bit. Included in the reminders were things like gentlemen should have their ties on under their collars, not on top of them when they come to the well and that jeans were not appropriate attire on the House floor. Additional “reminders” included that any drink was to have a lid on it, and not to eat popcorn on the House floor!

HB1253, the EMS Compact bill passed out of House Committee on Thursday and should be on the House floor Monday. Thanks to MEMS and Dr. Morshedi who helped present the bill, as well as Ken Kelly for assisting in committee. We hope to have draft language next week, although we are hearing that the Bureau remains backed up. We have had a couple of good visits this week with Scott Pace and truly appreciate his help.

As always we appreciate the continued faith you place in us.

Bruce, Camie, Lee Ann, Michael and Holly

ARAA BILL TRACKING REPORT 02/27/25

HB 1111

Joint Budget( )

An Act for the Office of the Treasurer of State - Assistance to local law enforcement and emergency medical appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Last Action:

1-27-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 7)

HB 1145

Wooten, Jim(R)
Hill, Ricky(R)

To increase the purchase amount authorized for additional after-market equipment for a new motor vehicle purchased by a county or municipality.

Last Action:

2-18-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 107)

HB 1165

Johnson, Lee(R)

To prohibit different reimbursement rates for services performed by the same type of provider in different settings within the Arkansas Medicaid program.

Last Action:

2-24-25 H Moved to deferred list H-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

HB 1166

Johnson, Lee(R)
Penzo, Clint(R)

To clarify the types of epinephrine for use in elementary and secondary schools in this state.

Last Action:

2-26-25 S Reported from committee - Do pass S-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

HB 1168

Johnson, Lee(R)

To provide criminal immunity for healthcare professionals for negligent acts or omissions.

Last Action:

1-28-25 H Withdrawn from further consideration

HB 1169

Johnson, Lee(R)

To clarify the admission criteria for an involuntary commitment to include a person who is in a mental condition as a result of a medical condition.

Last Action:

2-27-25 H Reported from committee - Do pass H-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

HB 1172

Johnson, Lee(R)

To add definitions to the Medicaid Fairness Act to ensure that all rule enforcement actions are appealable.

Last Action:

2-25-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 130, H-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

HB 1176

Joint Budget( )

An Act for the Department of Public Safety - Division of Emergency Management appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Last Action:

1-21-25 H Introduced and referred to Joint Budget

HB 1186

Vaught, DeAnn(R)
Penzo, Clint(R)

To create the Pain Relief Parity Act; and to require pain relief parity in the Arkansas Medicaid Program.

Last Action:

2-26-25 S Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 272, S-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

HB 1191

Joint Budget( )

An Act for the Department of Public Safety appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Last Action:

1-22-25 H Introduced and referred to Joint Budget

HB 1204

Eubanks, Jon(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To establish recovery of damages for necessary medical care, treatment, or services rendered.

Last Action:

2-11-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 28)

HB 1253

Johnson, Lee(R)

To adopt the Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact in Arkansas.

Last Action:

2-27-25 H Reported from committee - Do pass as amended 2, H-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

HB 1275

Cavenaugh, Frances(R)
Johnson, Blake(R)

To prohibit prior authorizations for healthcare services provided for treatment of a mental health crisis.

Last Action:

2-26-25 H Amendment 1 adopted

HB 1285

Johnson, Lee(R)

To establish an exemption program for ambulance service's operators for certain healthcare services.

Last Action:

2-26-25 H Moved to deferred list H-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

HB 1286

Johnson, Lee(R)
Boyd, Justin(R)

To amend the Arkansas Triage, Treat, and Transport to Alternative Destination Act.

Last Action:

2-24-25 H Enrolled in the House - Sent to Governor

HB 1287

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To amend the Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act; to define "downcode" under the Healthcare Contracting Simplification Act; and to require notification by contracting entities of downcoding.

Last Action:

2-24-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 136)

HB 1294

Johnson, Lee(R)

To allow an ambulance service to order certain types of healthcare services without a referral from a physician; and to mandate insurance coverage for an ambulance service to order certain types of healthcare services.

Last Action:

2-20-25 H Withdrawn from further consideration

HB 1295

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To create the Healthcare Cost-Sharing Collections Act.

Last Action:

2-26-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 149, H-Insurance and Commerce

HB 1296

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To mandate coverage for healthcare services provided in mobile units.

Last Action:

2-26-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 149, H-Insurance and Commerce

HB 1298

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To modify payment of benefits for certain healthcare providers under a health benefit plan.

Last Action:

2-12-25 H Committee hearing set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 149, H-Insurance and Commerce

HB 1299

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To prohibit healthcare insurers from exercising recoupment for payment of healthcare services more than one year after the payment for healthcare services was made.

Last Action:

2-20-25 H Amendment 1 adopted

HB 1300

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To amend the Prior Authorization Transparency Act.

Last Action:

2-20-25 H Amendment 1 adopted

HB 1301

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To amend exemptions and requirements under the Prior Authorization Transparency Act.

Last Action:

2-20-25 H Amendment 2 adopted

HB 1314

Johnson, Lee(R)
Irvin, Missy(R)

To amend the law concerning certain audits of healthcare providers; and to create the Arkansas Medical Audit Bill of Rights Act.

Last Action:

2-27-25 H Amendment 1 adopted

HB 1315

Torres, Randy(R)
Dees, Tyler(R)

To authorize a blood type designation to be placed on a driver's license or identification card.

Last Action:

2-24-25 G Signed by the Governor (Act: 147)

HB 1320

Wooldridge, Jeremy(R)
Tucker, Clarke(D)

To amend the law concerning crisis stabilization units and healthcare insurers.

Last Action:

2-26-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 149, H-Insurance and Commerce

HB 1398

Johnson, Lee(R)

To require schools to support, establish, and implement a cardiac emergency response plan that integrates nationally recognized elements.

Last Action:

2-27-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 138, H-Education

HB 1475

Carr, Joey(R)
Crowell, Steve(R)

To authorize the use of green lights, to amend the restrictions on lamp colors, to amend the colors of lights that may be used by emergency vehicles, and to define a roadway construction or maintenance vehicle.

Last Action:

2-26-25 H Enrolled in the House - Sent to Governor

SB 226

Leding, Greg(D)
McKenzie, Brit(R)

To amend the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act and to modify the requirements for professional development in school districts related to sudden cardiac arrest.

Last Action:

2-27-25 H Meeting set for 10:00 a.m. - Room 138, H-Education

SB 257

Penzo, Clint(R)
Lundstrum, Robin(R)

To amend the Medicaid Fairness Act; to extend the appeal period for providers in the Arkansas Medicaid Program; and to require comprehensive information in notices of adverse decisions.

Last Action:

2-26-25 H Received in the House - Referred to H-Public Health, Welfare and Labor

	All		Track
Total Bills:	30

2025 Legislative Session Dates & Deadlines

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Daily Legislative Updates

On the Horizon

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The Stars of Life Celebration will be held at the State Capitol on March 12, 2025. Sponsor, attend, & help shape the industry's future while gaining valuable recognition for your team and organization.

Click Here to Submit Nominations

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Industry Insights

MedPac to Discuss Ground Ambulance Data

On Thursday, March 6, the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) will hold the first of several Commission discussions related to the statutorily mandated report to review ground ambulance payment policy in light of the Ground Ambulance Data Collection System. The American Ambulance Association has already met with MedPAC staff and will also provide a summary of the meeting. Given that CMS will likely publish the second data collection period report at the end of 2025, it is anticipated that the MedPAC report will be published in its June 2026 report.

The MedPAC process involves a series of public meetings during which staff present materials to Commissioners. The Commissioners often ask questions and express opinions during this process. It is important to recognize that the Chair of MedPAC seeks to ensure consensus as much as possible in the final report. Thus, many of the comments made during public meetings are not included in final reports.

Please monitor the upcoming issues of The Pulse of ArAA for a summary of this meeting.

JEMS: Safeguarding EMS Clinician Data

The Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice has adopted Position Paper 2025-01 to strengthen data security protections for EMS clinicians. Amid rising cyber threats, EMS personnel face increased risks of identity theft and data breaches due to inconsistent licensure data safeguards. The Commission’s initiative aims to balance credential transparency with security by limiting public access to sensitive information, restricting bulk data disclosures, and implementing stricter verification processes. Recognizing EMS data protection as a national security issue, the Commission urges all states to adopt these standards, ensuring EMS professionals receive the same protections as other frontline responders.

Learn More Here

EmergencyInsights - Infectious Disease Preparedness

EMS providers face significant risks from infectious diseases while responding to emergencies. Common threats include respiratory viruses, tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV, meningitis, MRSA, and gastrointestinal illnesses. Effective infection control measures—such as proper PPE use, hand hygiene, sharps safety, equipment decontamination, vaccination, and exposure management—are crucial for reducing transmission. EMS agencies must ensure ongoing training, stockpile essential supplies, and implement outbreak response protocols. By staying informed and following best practices, EMS professionals can protect themselves, their patients, and the public while delivering high-quality care.