[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6598064,"mediaKeyId","3091481-4bb31311638aa82fd1094331266ef09c","parentId",3091481,"title","Committee advances repeal of location restrictions for community homes serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities","audioSeconds",132,"startMs",699000,"endMs",831000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091481-4bb31311638aa82fd1094331266ef09c&start=699&end=831","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091481-4bb31311638aa82fd1094331266ef09c/thumbnail_699000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6598064/Arkansas/Committee-advances-repeal-of-location-restrictions-for-community-homes-serving-people-with-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6598064-d287fc147ed124facd8e02ec2df77a0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158612&Signature=Lr3z1fdKWCT4-NA2tiphKMssuAYS3Wr4QvZ1AH6rXVDPT6PaqoAmPlAum7kqT2siduzINPKOeq9Yufeqip8VcLeB0svR9SHLuzNyMCPsFaKxezW9ZwAGe0RkVO3E4vdTlskWgZQI4ttonrJCiT4IGYfg6vlcaETIltvSwaL8CbSTdkn4MFpmEE1pELzCGodiQ2wDsgWMmfCMjjJw-XNPqM~X5Wh4Gy0geLFkFvLAnceJC4KtzMu1NztJQnXiB7hMWXXDanVogU3WDtep8v3ki8JRJfFMcYXDi-GO9EgOnEkCzaBKh7jkqxScNV0TkvEc-deMtvzibCPXjVRuvnLxAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE","date","2025-04-09T00:00:00Z","article","State Senator Tyler Deese (District 37) told the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee that House Bill 1537 would repeal the location act governing community homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Deese said the bill followed work with habilitation and development centers (HDCs) and that the repeal would remove statutory sections some HDCs had identified as problematic, including provisions relating to density control. He said he believed there are nine HDCs statewide but noted he needed to double-check that number. Deese told the committee he had not received pushback and that the bill passed the House with 94 votes and zero dissents.

Committee members asked about the practical effect of repealing the location act; the sponsor indicated that it addresses concerns raised by HDCs and that the repeal is intended to resolve statutory provisions the HDCs consider inappropriate. No public testimony was offered. The committee voted by voice vote to pass HB1537.

Clarifying details from the hearing: The sponsor described the change as the removal of statutory location restrictions for community homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; the sponsor noted his understanding that the House approved the repeal unanimously but did not provide the full legislative record or implementation details during the committee hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE - Apr 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Tyler Deese presented House Bill 1537 to repeal the location act for community homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; the committee passed the bill after brief discussion noting stakeholder work and wide House support.","taxTitle","PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas","taxId",21193,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6598069,"Committee advances bill aligning Arkansas with FDA guidance to allow specialty compounders to sell to pharmacies",113,555000,668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091481-4bb31311638aa82fd1094331266ef09c&start=555&end=668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091481-4bb31311638aa82fd1094331266ef09c/thumbnail_555000.jpg","/articles/6598069/Arkansas/Committee-advances-bill-aligning-Arkansas-with-FDA-guidance-to-allow-specialty-compounders-to-sell-to-pharmacies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6598069-847f7f4ef5f5c51016acf0d78e57a4f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158612&Signature=kN3Z0MA3NRi6BLcK3Qeol2s9ZvcsBNJAqvVxbGQ-oTNRpkaSZ11J96JxbDGmLEfMjLvydQ8FXNKl0LCIzfx2rBgJHdaEoIj~DHX5ppmjV5-KfbDg7ofUhdSH8FIo1sEXonzGvf2n6KmSmyruXjHh4osRBDk56HyZBsE9gZg1e2itH4kw1veet-AtoE35feYTcxsnIhezt~iwQe4hHNA1XSfzT2kTuAR2mB3yZ4rZy4jWaTLfXtLntBP38sfyCgTVYyqc-V1sDghkWQZ~peqKF8~xnLzRDOMrCFp~fMH60Q-ISmejlxylXwI4z-xoQxEXMQZw-Nl0cU55dIg6zGuSdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Representative Kendra Moore (District 23) told the Senate committee that House Bill 1801 allows specialty compounding pharmacies—facilities that are licensed and regulated to meet higher manufacturing standards—to sell medications to retail pharmacies for patient dispensing when a product is not commercially available and appears on an FDA shortage list.

Moore said the FDA issued guidance last year allowing these specialty compounders to sell to pharmacies; HB1801 would bring the state into alignment with that guidance and allow constituents to obtain compounded medications when commercially available products are not on the market. She stated the bill applies only to products “not commercially available and on that FDA shortage list.”

The sponsor said the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, the National Community Pharmacy Association and the state Board of Pharmacy provided input incorporated into the bill. An amendment adopted in committee adds language directing the Board of Pharmacy to promulgate rules for labeling the contents of those compounded products.

No one signed up to testify for or against the bill. The committee voted by voice vote to pass HB1801 as amended.

Clarifying details from the hearing: The bill applies only when a product is not commercially available and is on the FDA shortage list; specialty compounders addressed by the bill are described as a class of compounders operating to current good manufacturing practice standards and regulated by federal authorities when applicable.","House Bill 1801, as amended, would permit specialty compounding pharmacies to sell certain products to retail pharmacies when the FDA has deemed a product commercially unavailable or on the FDA shortage list; the committee passed the bill after adopting an amendment directing the Board of Pharmacy to promulgate labeling rules.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6598074,"Committee OKs advisory system for missing adults with disabilities, places operation under state police",191,299000,490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091481-4bb31311638aa82fd1094331266ef09c&start=299&end=490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091481-4bb31311638aa82fd1094331266ef09c/thumbnail_299000.jpg","/articles/6598074/Arkansas/Committee-OKs-advisory-system-for-missing-adults-with-disabilities-places-operation-under-state-police","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6598074-f47935e158524fb3c2e93863a127b1ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158612&Signature=RT5N-gUhIekSibT5vfzkikjrgY3R1x56a9Ba6SY5pItJBos4z~YudR-bGSBmxNjeyFYscQK0tjIAd5iyPcKZfCBrrJ~6GSM0ekyTN~hK6d4Ei3wCH34BNeNU4SAOuHLs8tH8KUGrVlewGi8bxti7lbD~elKhEpWTJenx95Jbf6QPrlvRG9kokJZyKyJw2dCUJ0cx4QM3pH6kYG450yFcNTIVoIYGrm7TkJRTuuWYpV~LMfB9MObXFQP7IpcZXkIjZaDcvHgLLTIKtLNyHmvDo1YbEw1Mz27ary3R7S~RNetSirB0YXkS89K49J~hEWaklyHhI3bO2S~wvg3rNDlf~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Senator Bridal Davis (State Senate District 25) told the committee that House Bill 1523 would create a missing-persons advisory system for adults with disabilities who do not meet criteria for a Silver Alert.

Davis said the advisory system is intended for adults with disabilities “often, like, adults with disabilities maybe are runners. I think specifically, people with Down syndrome.” The sponsor explained the system was drafted as an advisory rather than a full broadcast alert to avoid “alert fatigue” that can occur when the public is presented with many different types of emergency notices.

Senator Peyton asked whether the bill would place the advisory under the state police and whether a similar bill had appeared earlier in the session; Davis said the version before the committee had been substantially amended on return from the House and that the advisory system would be new and placed under the state police.

The sponsor and the committee noted a related earlier measure that applied specifically to children; HB1523, by contrast, focuses on adults with disabilities and creates an advisory system rather than a broadcast Silver Alert. No public testimony was offered. The committee adopted the sponsor’s motion for a do-pass recommendation and forwarded the bill as amended.

Clarifying details from the hearing: The sponsor said the advisory system will not “break in on the news” like full alerts; it is intended to be less intrusive (for example, a scrolling advisory). The sponsor said the change was made to reduce public alert fatigue. The hearing record did not state the statutory placement beyond “state police” or specific operational procedures; those details will be set in implementing rules if the bill becomes law.","The committee passed House Bill 1523 to create a missing-persons advisory system for adults with disabilities who do not qualify for Silver Alert; the system will be run by the state police and is intended to avoid overloading public alert channels.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6598078,"Senate committee approves bill letting APRNs make therapeutic stimulant substitutions with physician notification",134,38000,172000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3091481-4bb31311638aa82fd1094331266ef09c&start=38&end=172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3091481-4bb31311638aa82fd1094331266ef09c/thumbnail_38000.jpg","/articles/6598078/Arkansas/Senate-committee-approves-bill-letting-APRNs-make-therapeutic-stimulant-substitutions-with-physician-notification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6598078-3b97c4112cdd5374a9139fa51e3ba146/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158612&Signature=M2L5v~5C8kK-AsLq5F~--N0plGaRZcjyb6RLfe92bItjYtTipg~gVzgRqdRetWrv8az61NCNx0bUYGm5oGYHW0NjosZql7PAiz1YHnRBznBV8TiMlL0XXrVAoY9yp44Zezasr-a7Qh~liLL5fvA2DFSS8oDo0qdNdAZMhY21gAMhwzXm0wLZ5WN2mQFS0pq7-fmd1KEG1vRBxGovvQvbQQoVZGN5q0CxBUQGkZ8B8BoLpWMEFQcK0qt3UcqhTDvRNFC8ARlhiRMuhEX2lSdKU6YJR6fuPIBUYjyeS4CVJI0PZkWL~gOH0V1F5LNKgu0tTtAL3XeLnKhk8ZM9sP7HVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Senator Justin Boyd, Fort Smith, told the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee that House Bill 1963, as amended, would allow an advanced practice registered nurse to substitute a therapeutically equivalent stimulant medication and would require notification to the physician who originally wrote the prescription.

The amendment, Boyd said, is “an agreed to amendment between the bill sponsor and the medical society to clarify that if a substitute is made under the bill as drafted, that notice would go back to the original physician.” The committee adopted that amendment by voice vote and then passed the bill as amended.

Why it matters: The bill changes who may make therapeutic substitutions for certain stimulant medications, such as Vyvanse, Focalin XR and Adderall XR. Under current practice described in the hearing, an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) can write prescriptions for those stimulants only after a physician has written the initial prescription and the patient has been seen by a physician at least every six months; APRNs may continue ongoing prescriptions but not substitute formulations without this change.

Committee discussion and procedure: Senator Peyton asked whether APRNs in question operate independently or in physician clinics; testimony clarified APRNs can work either in independent clinics or inside physician clinics. Boyd explained the bill is intended to address situations such as prior authorization or formulary substitution where an APRN may need to change a specific stimulant formulation.

No members of the public signed up to speak for or against the bill. After final remarks from Boyd, the committee voted by voice vote to give HB1963 a do-pass recommendation as amended.

Clarifying details from the hearing: The bill text, as explained, permits therapeutic substitution of stimulant medications by an APRN but requires the APRN to notify the original prescribing physician if a substitution occurs. The current practice noted in the hearing requires an initial prescription by a physician and a physician visit at least every six months before APRNs continue stimulant prescriptions.","The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee passed House Bill 1963 as amended to allow advanced practice registered nurses to substitute therapeutically equivalent stimulant medications if they notify the original prescribing physician; the committee adopted a sponsor-negotiated amendment clarifying the notice requirement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances repeal of location restrictions for community homes serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Committee advances bill aligning Arkansas with FDA guidance to allow specialty compounders to sell to pharmacies

Committee OKs advisory system for missing adults with disabilities, places operation under state police

Senate committee approves bill letting APRNs make therapeutic stimulant substitutions with physician notification