The bill aims to enhance access to healthcare services provided by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) by amending their prescriptive authority. It allows the Arkansas State Board of Nursing to grant prescriptive authority to APRNs who complete an approved advanced pharmacology course and either hold a certificate of full independent practice authority or have a collaborative practice agreement with specific healthcare professionals. The bill replaces the requirement for a collaborative agreement with a practicing physician or podiatrist with a broader range of healthcare professionals, including other APRNs with independent practice authority.

Additionally, the bill modifies the scope of drugs that APRNs can prescribe. It maintains the restriction to drugs listed in Schedules III to V but introduces new provisions for prescribing Schedule II drugs, particularly for opioids and stimulants, under certain conditions. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing is tasked with adopting rules for safe prescribing practices, especially for stimulant medications, and must ensure that these rules align with those of the Arkansas State Medical Board regarding dangerous drugs and controlled substances.

Statutes affected:
HB 1132: 17-87-310(a)