The proposed bill aims to provide criminal immunity to healthcare professionals for negligent acts or omissions that occur while they are providing healthcare services. It introduces a new subchapter, Subchapter 7, titled "Immunity," to the Arkansas Code Title 5, Chapter 2. The bill defines key terms such as "healthcare facility," which encompasses a wide range of institutions providing healthcare services, and "healthcare professional," which includes employees of these facilities and licensed individuals authorized to administer healthcare.
Under the new provisions, healthcare professionals who are lawfully acting while providing healthcare services will be immune from criminal liability for any harm or damages that may arise from their negligent actions. The bill clarifies that this immunity does not amend or alter any existing legal protections or defenses available under other laws or contracts. This legislation seeks to protect healthcare providers from criminal prosecution in situations where negligence is alleged, thereby encouraging them to deliver care without the fear of legal repercussions.