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HB 1795

DFPR LICENSE CRIMINAL CHECK

104th Regular Session Introduced by Tom Weber

House Bill 1795 requires Arkansas fertility clinics to obtain separate licenses, enhancing patient safety and care quality through strict compliance and reporting standards.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 1795

Summary of House Bill 1795: Fertility Clinic Licensure Act

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1795, titled the Fertility Clinic Licensure Act, was introduced to establish a regulatory framework for fertility clinics in Arkansas. The bill aimed to ensure that facilities providing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and related services meet specific licensing requirements, thereby enhancing patient safety and care quality.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed several amendments to existing Arkansas healthcare regulations, including:

  1. Definition of Fertility Clinic:

    • The bill defined a "fertility clinic" as a medical facility or healthcare professional that collects or preserves human embryos for creation or placement into patients.

  2. Licensing Requirements:

    • It mandated that any medical facility performing IVF must obtain a separate license as a fertility clinic, in addition to any existing healthcare facility licenses.

  3. Annual Fees:

    • The bill outlined annual licensing fees for fertility clinics, set at $1,000 per facility, aligning with fees for other healthcare institutions.

  4. Reporting Obligations:

    • Fertility clinics would be required to report non-personally identifiable data to the Arkansas Department of Health, mirroring federal reporting requirements under the Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act of 1992.
    • A penalty of $50,000 would be imposed on clinics that fail to comply with reporting requirements.

  5. Annual Reporting:

    • The Department of Health was tasked with compiling an annual report on fertility clinics, which would include a list of licensed facilities and a summary of the reported data.

  6. Rulemaking Authority:

    • The Department of Health would have the authority to promulgate rules necessary for the implementation of the new subchapter concerning fertility clinics.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1795 would have affected:
- Fertility Clinics: All facilities offering IVF services would need to comply with new licensing and reporting requirements.
- Patients: Increased regulation could enhance the quality of care and safety for individuals seeking fertility treatments.
- Healthcare Providers: Clinics would need to allocate resources to meet compliance standards, including financial costs associated with licensing and reporting.

Legislative Timeline

  • Introduced: March 14, 2025
  • Committee Actions:
    • March 17, 2025: Read for the first time, rules suspended, and referred to the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor.
  • Status: The bill died in the House Committee on May 5, 2025, at Sine Die adjournment, meaning it did not progress to a vote or further consideration.

Conclusion

House Bill 1795 aimed to create a structured licensing system for fertility clinics in Arkansas, enhancing oversight and accountability in the fertility treatment sector. Despite its potential benefits, the bill ultimately did not advance through the legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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