HB 1254 allows licensed psychologists (psychological practitioners) to practice independently in Arkansas without supervision. It removes the existing independent practice rights previously held by psychological examiners. The bill changes licensing regulations to distinguish between these two professional groups, granting full independent practice authority to psychologists while restricting psychological examiners to supervised roles. The bill passed the legislature and became Act 433 in April 2025.
HB 1167 modifies signature authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and Physician Assistants (PAs), allowing them to sign certain medical documents that previously required a physician's signature. It also clarifies that durable medical equipment (DME) covers diabetic shoes and shoe inserts, ensuring these items are included in insurance coverage. The bill directly affects healthcare providers (APRNs, PAs) and diabetic patients who rely on covered DME. These changes streamline care coordination and improve access to essential foot care equipment. The bill became law as Act 431 on April 3, 2025.
HB 1509, now Act 452, creates the "Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act" to prohibit financial institutions from discriminating against individuals exercising Second Amendment rights. The law specifically bans institutions from restricting or terminating accounts based on firearm ownership or purchases, but only applies to transactions exceeding $10,000. This directly affects banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions, requiring them to avoid discriminatory practices tied to gun-related activities. The bill's key provision sets a clear monetary threshold ($10,000) for when these protections apply to financial transactions.
HB 1327 modifies eligibility rules for retired state and public school employees seeking coverage under Arkansas' State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program. It requires retirees to have participated in the program for at least five cumulative years before retirement to enroll, and specifies qualifying retirement systems (like the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System). The bill adds a 30-day window for active retirees to elect coverage after retirement or if they lose other health insurance due to a qualifying event (like job loss), with provisions for reinstatement under specific conditions. It also creates an "inactive retiree" category for those with 10+ years of service who separate due to fixed-term employment expiration, allowing a 31-day election period to continue coverage.
HB 1597 updates Arkansas law to clarify which officials can administer oaths of office for elected and appointed public officials. It specifies that municipal officers (like city council members) must take oaths before designated judges, county clerks, or other authorized personnel, while state officials (such as the Governor and Supreme Court justices) have defined options including state court judges or clerks. The bill directly affects all local and state officials required to take oaths upon assuming office. It modifies existing code sections to provide precise, accessible pathways for oath administration without changing substantive policy. This is a procedural update focused on streamlining the swearing-in process.
SB 417 removes reporting requirements for affirmative action programs at Arkansas's state-supported colleges and universities, repealing mandates to include program summaries in annual reports. It also modifies annual reporting to eliminate specific references to minority retention plans and affirmative action program updates. The bill repeals outdated rules about campus service duplication and energy research coordination, while adjusting remediation cost reporting for institutions. These changes streamline administrative requirements for higher education institutions without altering student access or funding.
SB 353 changes election dates in Arkansas. It moves primary elections to the second Tuesday in November or May (in odd-numbered years), adjusts school election dates to 89 days before March elections and 72 days before November elections, and modifies special election scheduling rules. These changes affect voters, election officials, and school districts by altering when specific elections occur. The bill does not create new policies but adjusts existing election timelines.
SB 339 adds Representative Bentley to the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee and changes the term "biannually" to "biennially" to clarify that the committee's meetings and reports occur every two years. This bill directly affects the committee's membership structure and the precise language of the statute governing it. The amendment passed and became law as Act 404 on March 31, 2025.
Act 400 (formerly SB 223) establishes the "Religious Rights at Public Schools Act of 2025" for Arkansas public schools. The law protects students and staff from discrimination based on lawful religious expression, such as prayer, wearing religious symbols, or discussing faith, provided these activities do not disrupt school operations. Schools must inform students, parents, and employees about these rights through electronic means or in handbooks. This law directly affects public school communities by requiring non-discriminatory policies for religious expression while clarifying protections apply only to legal, non-disruptive activities.
SB 111 establishes the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, enabling dentists and dental hygienists to practice across participating states with a single license. The bill directly affects dental professionals seeking to work in multiple states by creating a standardized licensing framework. Key provisions include Arkansas delegating its authority to reject compact rules to the state General Assembly or Legislative Council, rather than retaining that power internally. This change streamlines interstate practice for dental professionals while maintaining state-level oversight of compact rules. The bill passed in March 2025 and became Act 395.
SB 189, now Act 396, allows pharmacies and consumers to purchase Ivermectin for human use without a prescription or consultation with a healthcare professional. The bill removes existing requirements for medical oversight when buying this medication. It directly affects pharmacies (which can now sell it without a prescription) and consumers (who can obtain it without seeing a doctor). The law took effect after the bill passed the legislature and was signed by the governor on March 31, 2025.
SB 135 changes election rules for public school districts in Arkansas when their annual property tax rate remains unchanged. It requires county election commissioners to automatically include the unchanged tax rate on the ballot for all qualified voters in the district during odd-numbered years, eliminating the need for a separate election. This affects school districts and voters, as they will now vote on the existing tax rate without additional procedural steps. The bill streamlines the process by removing prior requirements for a special election when rates stay the same. It focuses solely on administrative adjustments to election procedures, with no new tax rates or financial impacts.
