TO CLARIFY THAT AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE WHO PRESCRIBES A STIMULANT MAY SUBSTITUTE A THERAPEUTICALLY EQUIVALENT MEDICATION.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Justin Boyd and 2 co-sponsors

Act 963 empowers Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Arkansas to substitute equivalent medications for stimulants, enhancing patient care and treatment flexibility.

Notification that HB1963 is now Act 963

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1963, now known as Act 963, aims to clarify the prescriptive authority of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Arkansas. Specifically, it allows APRNs who prescribe stimulants to substitute a therapeutically equivalent medication when necessary. This legislation is designed to enhance the flexibility and responsiveness of healthcare providers in managing patient care, particularly for those requiring stimulant medications.

Key Provisions

The bill amends Arkansas Code § 17-87-310(b)(2)(B)(ii) to include the following provisions:

Substitution Authority:

APRNs are permitted to substitute a therapeutically equivalent medication for a stimulant originally prescribed by a physician.

Criteria for Prescription:

The original stimulant prescription must have been initiated by a physician.
The physician must have evaluated the patient within the six months prior to the APRN issuing the prescription.
The APRN's prescription must be for the same condition as the original stimulant prescription.

Notification Requirement:

If an APRN decides to substitute a medication, they are required to notify the physician who originally prescribed the stimulant.

Affected Parties

This legislation primarily affects:
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs): It expands their prescriptive authority, allowing them to make medication substitutions.
- Physicians: They will be informed of any substitutions made by APRNs, ensuring continuity of care.
- Patients: Individuals requiring stimulant medications may benefit from more accessible treatment options and potentially improved medication management.

Legislative Timeline

Introduced: April 1, 2025

Senate Amendment: Amendment No. 1 was adopted on April 16, 2025, refining the language of the bill.

Passed: The bill was passed by both the House and Senate on April 10, 2025.

Enrolled and Transmitted: The bill was correctly enrolled and transmitted to the Governor's Office on April 16, 2025.

Notification of Act: The bill was officially notified as Act 963 on April 21, 2025.

Conclusion

House Bill 1963 (Act 963) represents a significant step in enhancing the role of APRNs in Arkansas by allowing them to substitute therapeutically equivalent medications for stimulants. This change is expected to improve patient care by providing more options and flexibility in medication management while maintaining communication with the prescribing physician.

Bill