This bill amends Arkansas Code Title 17, Chapter 87, Subchapter 1, to authorize advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to delegate specific nursing tasks to qualified and trained healthcare workers who are not licensed. The newly inserted section, 17-87-107, outlines that APRNs can delegate tasks such as the administration of medications and immunizations, as well as phlebotomy activities, provided these tasks do not require specialized judgment. The bill emphasizes that the APRN remains responsible for the actions of the healthcare worker performing the delegated tasks, and the worker must not represent themselves as a licensed nurse.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Arkansas State Board of Nursing will establish rules regarding the delegation of these tasks, including the setting in which they can be performed, evaluation criteria for delegation based on patient condition, and training requirements for the healthcare workers involved. It also clarifies that individuals to whom tasks are delegated cannot further delegate those tasks to others, and it specifies that certified registered nurse anesthetists are not permitted to delegate anesthesia administration. The bill does not preempt any existing state laws that authorize individuals to perform specific tasks.