TO CREATE THE NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN PRACTICE ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSURE OF NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS IN ARKANSAS; AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS STATE BOARD OF NATURAL MEDICINE.

Senate Bill 117 aims to establish a legal framework for naturopathic physicians in Arkansas. It seeks to create the Naturopathic Physician Practice Act, which would mandate the licensure of naturopathic physicians in the state. To oversee this process, the bill also proposes the creation of the Arkansas State Board of Natural Medicine. A key provision of the bill requires all applicants for licensure to undergo state and federal criminal background checks, with specific criteria for disqualification and a waiver process for certain offenses.