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Department of Health reviews multiple licensure and environmental rules under red‑tape reduction acts
Summary
The Department of Health reviewed several rule packages implementing 2019 'red tape' occupational licensure reduction acts, covering lay midwifery reporting forms, plumbing and septic rules, apprentices, and reciprocity/automatic licensure for military spouses; committee discussion focused on public comments, grease-trap disposal and record-keeping.
Chuck Thompson, attorney with the Arkansas Department of Health, presented several rule packages intended to align agency rules with 2019 General Assembly acts focused on occupational licensure and reciprocity. Thompson said the packages include model language developed with the Attorney General’s office and other executive branch attorneys and cited compliance with acts referenced in the transcript (Act 820, Act 315 and related items).
On lay midwifery, Thompson said the department promulgated a form to permit hospitals to report lay‑midwife transfers in compliance with Representative Ferguson’s bill; the department also adjusted acceptable infant CPR program language to include a national lay‑midwifery program that reviewed as comparable to American Red Cross courses.
Environmental health topics included on-site wastewater, plumbing rules (adding an apprentice‑plumber definition already in statute), and septic tank pumper rules. Terry Paul (environmental health branch chief) responded to constituent concerns about grease traps and disposal options, explaining that grease-trap waste disposal and land-application permits commonly fall under ADEQ jurisdiction and that some wastewater plants cannot accept grease-laden waste. Paul noted current septic pumper record-keeping references a bound book and that the department is open to alternate record-keeping methods though some changes could require legislation.
Committee members asked about public comments and whether the department had addressed them; department staff described where comments were outside the scope of the rule amendments and how they directed commenters to appropriate agencies. The committee recorded these rules as reviewed.
