Sen. Missy Irvin

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1433, now Act 828, modifies the process for law enforcement officers serving orders of protection. It requires officers to perform a check for any active arrest warrants for the individual being served. This check must be completed before the order of protection is officially executed. The bill directly impacts law enforcement procedures and individuals subject to protective orders.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1735 proposes amendments to the Arkansas Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act. It also seeks to revise the membership structure of the One Call Center, which operates under this Act. The provided context indicates the bill's purpose through its title, but the specific details of these amendments and membership revisions are not included in the provided bill text.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1768, now Act 815, requires that contracts detailing host fees paid by solid waste landfills to their host communities be put to a vote. This vote must occur at a regularly scheduled meeting of both the city and the county where the landfill is located. These host fee contracts are also subject to a term limit, stating they may not exceed a period of four years.

Maddy summaryHB 1458 amends the definition of "credentialing information" provided by the Arkansas State Medical Board to organizations that verify physician qualifications. This bill directly affects the information sharing process between the board and these credentialing organizations. Specifically, it removes the requirement for the board to include the status of a physician's United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certificate when providing this information. All other types of credentialing data, such as professional training, license status, and malpractice history, continue to be shared.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1886 designates the Labrador Retriever as the official canine of the state of Arkansas. This bill establishes a symbolic recognition for the breed within the state.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1850 amends Arkansas law regarding ground ambulance services and their reimbursement by health benefit plans. It clarifies the minimum allowable reimbursement rates for both in-network and out-of-network ambulance providers. Initially, these rates are based on agreements between the ambulance service provider and local government entities. However, starting July 1, 2025, if no such local rates exist, the minimum reimbursement will be the lesser of 325% of the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule (Arkansas Rural Rate) or the provider's billed charges. This bill aims to alleviate confusion concerning reimbursement rates for ambulance services.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 1827, is titled "TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HUNTING HERITAGE PROTECTION ACT." Based on the provided text, the specific changes or provisions it makes to that act are not detailed. It seeks to modify existing legislation related to hunting heritage in Arkansas, and it has successfully passed into law as Act 817.

Maddy summaryHB 1784 (now Act 864) modifies the informal dispute resolution process for long-term care facilities in Arkansas. The bill adjusts procedures for resolving conflicts between facilities and residents or their representatives without formal legal action. While the exact changes to the process are not detailed in the provided context, the bill passed the Senate with Amendment #1 and was signed into law on April 17, 2025. It directly affects long-term care facilities, residents, and their families by altering how non-legal disputes are handled.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 1863, amends the Transportation Benefit Manager Act to establish new payment rules for ambulance services in Arkansas. It mandates that healthcare insurers and transportation benefit managers pay ambulance providers 250% of the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule, Rural Rate for claims. Ambulance providers must accept this payment as full and are prohibited from "balance billing" patients for additional charges beyond their deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. The bill also requires the Arkansas Ambulance Association to annually collect and submit local government ambulance service rates to the Insurance Commissioner. An emergency clause makes the act effective immediately to address existing conflicts in ambulance service reimbursement rates.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1954 creates the Arkansas Behavior Analyst Registration Act, establishing a system for registering individuals who practice behavior analysis independently in the state. This bill requires individuals to register with the Arkansas Psychology Board, submitting an application, fee, background check, and evidence of certification from recognized behavior analyst credentialing boards. It defines "registered behavior analyst" and outlines penalties for those who unlawfully present themselves as such without registration. The Arkansas Psychology Board is responsible for administering these provisions, including handling renewals, temporary registrations, and reciprocity with other jurisdictions.