Senate Bill 162 aimed to amend the existing laws regarding "credited service" within the Arkansas Judicial Retirement System. This bill would have directly affected current and future members of the judicial system in Arkansas by potentially altering how their service time is calculated for retirement benefits. However, the provided bill text does not specify the exact changes or new provisions it intended to introduce concerning credited service.
Senate Bill 626 aims to establish fair and equitable reimbursement rates for various healthcare providers in Arkansas, including clinics, hospitals, and outpatient facilities. It requires healthcare insurers to disclose their reimbursement methodologies and to ensure minimum reimbursement rates for these services. The bill defines "Equivalent Medicare reimbursement" as a basis for these rates, including for services not typically covered by Medicare. This legislation seeks to address the challenges faced by Arkansas healthcare providers regarding reimbursement from health benefit plans.
Senate Bill 528 proposes to amend the powers and duties of the Office of Skills Development and the Career Education and Workforce Development Board. The bill requires these entities to ensure that any approved secondary technical center begins operation with at least six occupation-specific programs. This standard applies to public high schools, postsecondary technical institutes, two-year colleges, or education service cooperatives that are designated as secondary technical centers.
SB 609 would have granted minors under 18 years old the right to consult with a parent or legal guardian before a custodial interrogation or before waiving their rights to remain silent and have an attorney. This consultation could take place in person, by phone, or via video conference, and the minor could not waive this right. Statements obtained in violation of this provision would generally be inadmissible in court. An exception exists for statements obtained when law enforcement reasonably believes the information is necessary to protect another person from an imminent threat to life.
HB 1873 mandates that the Arkansas Secretary of State notify newly elected members of the General Assembly. This notification must occur within 30 days of election certification. It will inform the elected member about the number of years they may serve before reaching the service limitation outlined in the Arkansas Constitution.
Senate Bill 586, titled the "Protect Our Constitution Act," proposed to amend Article 5, Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution. This bill would have changed the voting threshold required for a constitutional amendment to be approved by Arkansas voters. Instead of needing a simple majority of votes cast, a constitutional amendment would have required approval by at least two-thirds of the votes cast. This change would have directly affected how future constitutional amendments referred to the people could be ratified.
SB 589, the "340B Program Transparency Act," requires certain Arkansas hospitals and healthcare providers participating in the federal 340B drug discount program to report annually on how they utilize their program savings. These "covered entities" must submit a detailed report to the Department of Health each year. The report outlines the total 340B savings realized and provides an itemized account of how those savings were allocated. This includes funds directed towards uncompensated care, patient financial assistance, expanding healthcare access in medically underserved areas, and administrative operations, aiming to ensure accountability and transparency.
Senate Bill 284 modifies Arkansas's workers' compensation law, impacting injured employees and employers. It changes the process for selecting treating physicians, allowing injured workers to choose their regular primary care physician for initial treatment, provided that physician complies with managed care requirements for specialist referrals. The bill also establishes new requirements for independent medical exams (IMEs), mandating that employers obtain commission approval and share all related records and reports with the injured worker or their counsel. Additionally, injured workers gain the right to depose IME examiners, subject to covering associated fees.
The provided text is Amendment No. 1 to SB 179, not the full bill. Based on the title, SB 179 aims to establish the "Strengthen Arkansas Homes Act" and create the "Strengthen Arkansas Homes Program Premium Tax Fund." Amendment No. 1 modifies provisions regarding the admissibility of certain information, clarifying that it would be admissible as evidence in private civil actions. It also specifies that these provisions do not prevent disclosure to legislative auditing bodies or preclude subpoena authority.
Senate Bill 283, as amended, modifies the law concerning unclaimed property for certain nonprofit organizations. It specifically affects nonprofits with less than five million dollars in annual revenue. These organizations must turn over property unclaimed for one year to the state administrator. The administrator then has two years to locate the property's owner. If the owner is not found within that period, the unclaimed property is returned to the original nonprofit organization.
SB 86 modifies the rules for nonprofit, tax-exempt, or governmentally funded hospitals to hold retail pharmacy permits and introduces new regulations for pharmacy contracting. It would allow eligible hospitals, meeting criteria like a minimum inpatient census and providing emergency care, to hold one retail pharmacy permit at each licensed hospital location. These pharmacies must be located on or near the hospital campus and offer 24/7 access to emergency medications. The bill also prohibits pharmacies from entering contracts with parent entities that create anti-competitive advantages or limit patient choice, with enforcement by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy.
Senate Bill 12 is a procedural amendment to Arkansas' Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and redistricting communication rules. It primarily updates section numbering in the law (e.g., changing references from "(d)" to "(c)") without altering substantive requirements for public records access or redistricting communications. The bill does not create new policies or directly affect specific groups, as it only adjusts existing legal references. It passed the Senate in March 2025 but died in the House committee in May 2025 without becoming law.
