ELECTORAL COLLEGE EQUITY ACT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Ryan Spain

Act 862 allows registered nurses and advanced practice nurses to certify death in hospice and hospitals, streamlining the process for families during sensitive times.

Referred to Rules Committee

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1734, now known as Act 862, aims to amend existing laws concerning death certificates in the state of Arkansas. The primary intent of the bill is to clarify which medical professionals are authorized to sign a medical certificate of death and to pronounce the death of a patient. This amendment is particularly relevant in the context of hospice care and hospital settings.

Key Provisions

The bill introduces several important changes to the Arkansas Code regarding death certification:

Registered Nurses in Hospice Care:

A registered nurse employed by an attending hospice is authorized to complete and sign the medical certification of death for terminally ill patients who are receiving hospice services and die in a hospice inpatient program, nursing home, or hospital.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs):

An advanced practice registered nurse may also complete and sign a medical certificate of death in a hospital setting. This is contingent upon:
- The APRN being granted authority by the hospital's medical staff.
- The absence of an available physician other than an emergency department physician.

Amendments to Existing Language:

The bill includes specific language changes to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the medical professionals involved in the death certification process.

Affected Parties

Medical Professionals: The bill expands the roles of registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses in the death certification process, thereby enhancing their responsibilities in hospice and hospital settings.

Patients and Families: The legislation aims to streamline the process of death certification, potentially reducing delays for families during a sensitive time.

Hospice Programs: Certified hospice programs will benefit from clearer guidelines regarding the certification of death for their patients.

Procedural Timeline

Introduced: March 11, 2025

Amendments: The bill underwent amendments, including Amendment No. 1, which was adopted on April 8, 2025.

Passed: The bill was passed by the House and Senate on April 10, 2025, and was subsequently enrolled and transmitted to the Governor's Office on April 15, 2025.

Enactment: The bill was officially notified as Act 862 on April 17, 2025.

Conclusion

House Bill 1734 (Act 862) represents a significant update to the laws governing death certificates in Arkansas, clarifying the roles of medical professionals involved in this process. By allowing registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses to certify death under specific conditions, the bill aims to improve efficiency and responsiveness in end-of-life care settings.

Bill