Rep. Lee Johnson

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1840 amends the Medicaid Provider-Led Organized Care Act. This bill ensures that sedation dentistry services are covered by risk-based provider organizations within the Medicaid program. The change directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who require sedation for dental procedures, ensuring access to these services through their managed care plans.

Maddy summaryHB 1943 amends the Medicaid Provider-Led Organized Care Act in Arkansas to improve the enrollment and selection process for risk-based provider organizations (RBPOs), directly affecting Medicaid beneficiaries. It establishes an online quality rating system for RBPOs, accessible via the Department of Human Services (DHS) website, displaying metrics such as service wait times, care coordinator caseloads, and member satisfaction. The bill also requires RBPOs to provide real-time, updated online provider directories and mandates the DHS to create a dedicated beneficiary support office to assist enrollees with information and issue resolution.

Maddy summaryHB 1252 establishes the Certified Community-Based Doula Certification Act, creating a formal process to certify birth and postpartum doulas in the state. This act directly affects doulas by requiring them to meet specific standards to become certified. The bill aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by ensuring that certified community-based doulas provide services.

Maddy summaryHB 1604, now Act 943, amends existing laws regarding contracts made by state agencies in Arkansas. The bill specifically prohibits state agencies from using public funds to purchase promotional items that are manufactured in China. This measure aims to regulate the types of products state agencies can acquire using taxpayer money. These new provisions apply to contracts executed on or after the act's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1963, now Act 963, clarifies the authority of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who prescribe stimulant medications. It allows these APRNs to substitute a therapeutically equivalent medication for a prescribed stimulant. A key provision requires the APRN to notify the physician who originally prescribed the stimulant when such a substitution occurs.

Maddy summaryHB 1352 (now Act 937) is a technical amendment to a bill that primarily changes a single word in the legislation - replacing "and" with "or" on page 6, line 31. It does not introduce new policies, alter substantive requirements, or directly affect any specific groups or entities. The bill was passed by the Arkansas Senate with Amendment No. 1 and signed into law on April 21, 2025. As a minor procedural correction, it has no meaningful impact on how the law operates or who it governs.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 420 expands eligibility for state water development programs and amends the Water Authority Act. It also modifies the uses of the Construction Assistance Revolving Loan Fund. Specifically, the bill allows investor-owned water or wastewater utilities to be eligible for these programs and funds, in addition to existing governmental authorities. This change broadens the types of entities that can access state support for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Maddy summarySB 439, now Act 737, amends the duties of the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing. It also modifies specific sections of Arkansas Code that originated from Initiated Act 1 of 1914, which typically pertains to workers' compensation laws. An amendment to the bill clarifies that a new section within the act will supersede any conflicting existing laws once it becomes effective. The provided text, however, does not detail the specific changes to the Secretary's duties or the workers' compensation provisions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 504 establishes the Arkansas Rural Preceptorship Program Act, designed to address the shortage of physicians in the state's rural areas. This program provides funding for medical students to complete preceptorships, or clinical placements, in participating rural clinics, hospitals, and healthcare facilities. Eligible medical institutions include the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. The Division of Higher Education will administer the program, reimbursing participating institutions at a per diem rate for up to three weeks of a student's placement, with funding from public or private sources.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided information, Senate Bill 487 aims to change the existing laws regarding the destruction or expungement of juvenile delinquency records. The bill's full text, detailing the specific mechanisms and provisions of these changes, is not available in the provided context. The provided text only shows an amendment to add a cosponsor to the bill.