An Act amending the act of June 24, 1976 (P.L.424, No.101), referred to as the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act, extending the payment of death benefits to surviving spouse or children or parents of corrections officers; and making editorial changes.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Aaron Bernstine and 36 co-sponsors

Arkansas would require pediatricians to screen children starting at age 3 for Type 1 diabetes during annual well-child visits, and mandate coverage of these screenings by Medicaid

Referred to State Government

Summary — HB 1858 (Arkansas, 95th General Assembly, 2025)

Note: The provided bill document appears to include text from multiple, unrelated bills (including an Illinois bill and an Arkansas appropriation title). This summary focuses on the Arkansas content authored by Rep. Ladyman that would require pediatric Type 1 diabetes screening and related coverage changes.

Key provisions

Adds Arkansas Code § 20-15-103:

Legislative finding that pediatricians do not regularly screen for Type 1 diabetes and diagnoses are often made only after emergency hospitalization.
Requires a pediatrician to screen for Type 1 diabetes at the yearly well‑child visit beginning at age 3.
Specifies the screening include hemoglobin A1c testing and blood sugar testing; antibody testing required if the pediatrician determines it necessary or if there is a family history of Type 1 diabetes.

Adds Arkansas Code § 20-77-155:

Requires the Arkansas Medicaid Program to cover Type 1 diabetes screening described in § 20-15-103.
Directs the Department of Human Services to apply for any federal waivers, state plan amendments, or other authorizations necessary to implement Medicaid coverage.

Adds Arkansas Code § 23-79-170:

Defines “health benefit plan” and excludes certain plans (e.g., disability income, credit insurance, workers’ compensation, accident-only, specified disease, long‑term care only, etc.).
Requires health benefit plans offered/issued/renewed in Arkansas to provide coverage for Type 1 diabetes screening under § 20-15-103 on or after January 1, 2026.

Who would be affected

Pediatricians and clinics: required to perform specified screenings at annual well‑child visits for children age 3 and older.

Children and families: increased routine screening for Type 1 diabetes; potential earlier detection.

Arkansas Medicaid Program and enrollees: Medicaid must cover screenings subject to federal approvals.

Private and public health insurers subject to Arkansas law: must add coverage by January 1, 2026.

Laboratories and diagnostic service providers: likely increased demand for HbA1c, glucose, and antibody testing.

Implementation, costs, and procedural notes

Health plan coverage requirement takes effect January 1, 2026.

Medicaid coverage may require federal approval (DHS must pursue waivers or state plan amendments).

The bill does not specify funding sources or appropriation amounts for increased screening costs or follow-up care.

Expected impacts include increased short‑term utilization and testing costs and potential long‑term reductions in emergency diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) hospitalizations through earlier diagnosis.

Legislative status and timeline

Introduced January 15, 2025 (Rep. Ladyman).

Received committee referrals and readings per the legislative history provided.

Final status (as provided): Died in Committee. The record also shows the author withdrew the bill on April 9, 2025.

If you want, I can draft a one‑page explainer for clinicians or an estimated fiscal impact checklist for Medicaid/insurers.

Bill