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2025 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Baldwin and 5 co-sponsors

HB 1132 aimed to boost healthcare access by expanding Advanced Practice Registered Nurses' prescribing authority, especially in underserved areas, but it died in committee.

Public Law 17

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Summary of House Bill 1132

Bill Number: HB 1132
Title: To Increase Access to Healthcare Services Provided by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses; and to Amend the Prescriptive Authority of an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: January 15, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1132 aimed to enhance access to healthcare services in Arkansas by expanding the prescriptive authority of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). The bill sought to streamline the process through which APRNs could prescribe medications, thereby improving healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved areas.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed several amendments to existing laws regarding the prescriptive authority of APRNs:

Prescriptive Authority Certification:

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing would grant prescriptive authority to APRNs who complete an approved advanced pharmacology course, including practical experience in prescribing.
APRNs would need either a certificate of full independent practice authority or a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed physician or podiatrist.

Expanded Prescription Capabilities:

APRNs with prescriptive authority could prescribe drugs, medicines, and therapeutic devices relevant to their practice area.
The bill specifically allowed APRNs to prescribe:
- Drugs listed in Schedules III-V.
- Certain hydrocodone combination products classified as Schedule II under specific conditions.
- Schedule II opioids for a maximum of five days.
- Stimulants, provided certain criteria were met, including prior evaluation by a physician.

Rule Adoption:

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing would be required to adopt rules for safe prescribing practices, particularly for stimulant medications.
Proposed rules would need to be reviewed by the Arkansas State Medical Board to ensure consistency with existing regulations on dangerous drugs and controlled substances.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1132 would have:
- Increased the ability of APRNs to provide comprehensive care, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
- Potentially reduced the burden on physicians by allowing APRNs to manage more aspects of patient care, including medication management.
- Improved patient access to timely healthcare services, particularly for those requiring prescriptions for controlled substances.

Procedural Aspects

Legislative Timeline:

The bill was filed on January 15, 2025, and underwent initial readings and committee referrals.
Ultimately, it died in the House Committee on May 5, 2025, at Sine Die adjournment, meaning it did not advance for further consideration.

In summary, HB 1132 represented an effort to modernize and expand the role of APRNs in Arkansas, aiming to improve healthcare access and efficiency. However, it did not progress beyond the committee stage.