TO CREATE THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE CERTIFICATION FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.

HB 1258, now Act 435, creates a statewide certification program for community health workers in Arkansas. The bill establishes a standardized certification process, requiring workers to meet specific training and competency standards to practice. This directly affects community health workers who must obtain this certification to work legally in the state, ensuring consistent qualifications across all communities. The law replaces inconsistent local or employer-based requirements with a single state-administered system.