Public Health, Welfare And Labor

Senate Bill 238 amends the Used Tire Recycling and Accountability Act. It requires reporting on the number and category of new small tires sold in Arkansas. The bill mandates that each county establish a minimum of two tire collection centers, which must be regularly monitored and emptied to allow continuous use for waste tire disposal. Additionally, it expands the tire accountability boards from 11 to 13 members by adding two tire retailers appointed by the Governor to oversee used tire programs.

Senate Bill 507 aimed to require the Arkansas Medicaid Program to cover Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for specific beneficiaries. It would have provided ABA coverage for individuals over 21 years old who have an autism diagnosis, participate in the Community and Employment Services Waiver, and have a medical necessity determination from a physician. The bill specified that these services should be delivered based on individual needs, including one-on-one sessions at home and in the community, by qualified professionals. It also stated that ABA services should not be limited to group or clinical settings.

Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) proposes to repeal the existing statewide fluoridation program in Arkansas. If enacted, this bill would remove the current mandate for water systems serving 5,000 or more people to maintain a specific fluoride content in their water supply. It would eliminate the authority of the Department of Health and State Board of Health to set rules and requirements for water fluoridation, including permissible concentrations, necessary equipment, and testing procedures. Essentially, it would end the state requirement for public water systems to add fluoride to drinking water.

SB 187 amends the composition of the Arkansas Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board. This bill expands the types of healthcare professionals eligible for appointment to the board. Specifically, it adds physician assistants to the existing list, which includes physicians and advanced practice registered nurses. The board members must be licensed and practicing in Arkansas, and currently treating rare diseases or conditions.

Senate Bill 168 aimed to establish a state examination for the licensure of massage therapists, to be offered by the Department of Health. This examination would serve as an additional, optional pathway for unlicensed graduates of approved massage therapy schools or students in apprenticeship programs in the state, rather than replacing national examinations. The bill specified that the state examination would not be computer adaptive. It also allowed the Department to require massage therapy instructors to submit examination questions derived from textbooks they currently use for instruction.