AR
Arkansas Senate Bill SB309

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

Arkansas Senate Bill SB309

Introduced
2/26/25  
Refer
2/26/25  
Report Pass
3/6/25  
Engrossed
3/11/25  

Caption

To Amend The Arkansas Health Care Consumer Act; To Revise The Definition Of "psychiatric Collaborative Care Model"; And To Include Certain Clinical Psychiatric Pharmacist Services In The Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model.

Impact

The impact of SB 309 extends to enhancing the integration of mental health services within primary care settings. By revising the definition to include psychiatric pharmacists, the bill seeks to facilitate a more cohesive treatment model where mental health professionals and pharmacists collaborate closely with primary care providers. This could lead to better management of patient medications and psychiatric treatment, potentially reducing hospital admissions related to mental health crises. Furthermore, the bill could align Arkansas' regulations more closely with federal standards, promoting consistency in mental health care practices.

Summary

Senate Bill 309 aims to amend the Arkansas Health Care Consumer Act by redefining the 'psychiatric collaborative care model'. This redefinition includes the incorporation of clinical psychiatric pharmacist services within the model, which is designed to enhance the scope of mental health care delivery across the state. By integrating psychiatric pharmacists into collaborative care teams, the bill intends to improve patient outcomes by allowing more comprehensive management of mental health conditions in coordination with primary care providers. This approach is supported by evidence-based methodologies as outlined in federal regulations and guidance documents.

Contention

While there is significant support for SB 309, particularly from mental health advocates who believe that integrating pharmacy services will provide substantial benefits to patients, some concerns have been raised. Opponents worry about the adequacy of training and oversight for pharmacists providing psychiatric services, as well as the implications this may have on the quality of care delivered. Furthermore, stakeholders express the need for rigorous guidelines to ensure that the collaborative model effectively meets the needs of diverse patient populations, particularly in underserved areas.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AR SB178

To Amend The Arkansas Health Care Consumer Act; And To Provide Reimbursement And Benefits For Mental Illness And Substance Use Disorders That Are Delivered Through A Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model.

AR HB1446

To Provide State Oversight Of Quality Of Care Provided To Children In Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities And Other Regulated Facilities.

AR HJR1008

An Amendment To The Arkansas Constitution To Create The Protect Arkansas Healthcare Amendment.

AR SB140

To Amend The Definition Of "healthcare Provider" Under The Patient Protection Act Of 1995; And To Modify The Definition Of "healthcare Provider" As Used Under The Any Willing Provider Laws.

AR SB309

To Clarify The Licensing Regulations Of Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities Under The Child Welfare Agency Licensing Act.

AR SB294

To Create The Learns Act; To Amend Various Provisions Of The Arkansas Code As They Relate To Early Childhood Through Grade Twelve Education In The State Of Arkansas; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR HB1007

To Authorize Pharmacists To Dispense Hiv Preexposure And Postexposure Prophylaxis.

AR HB1481

To Create The Healthcare Insurer Share The Savings Act; And To Create The Arkansas Pharmacy Benefits Manager Share The Savings Act.

AR HB1252

To Modify The Arkansas Health Care Consumer Act; And To Require Coverage For Prosthetic Devices For Athletics Or Recreation And Prosthetic Devices For Showering Or Bathing.

AR SB189

To Clarify The Definition Of "intellectual And Developmental Disability" In The Arkansas Code.

Similar Bills

NJ S2995

Renames Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital as Richard J. Codey Psychiatric Hospital.

NJ A4079

Renames Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital as Richard J. Codey Psychiatric Hospital.

AZ HB2098

Psychiatric assessment; nurse practitioners; reporting

CA AB451

Health care facilities: treatment of psychiatric emergency medical conditions.

CA SB1143

Acute Care Psychiatric Hospital Loan Fund.

CA AB2317

Children’s psychiatric residential treatment facilities.

NJ A3570

Requires DHS to provide psychiatric service dogs to first responders, health care workers, and other frontline workers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NJ S1740

Requires DHS to provide psychiatric service dogs to first responders, health care workers, and other frontline workers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.