The proposed "Therapeutic Recreation Practice Act" aims to establish licensure for therapeutic recreation specialists in Arkansas by creating a new chapter in the Arkansas Code, specifically Chapter 108. This legislation seeks to regulate therapeutic recreation services to protect public health and welfare, prevent misleading practices by unauthorized individuals, and ensure professional conduct among specialists. It defines key terms such as "therapeutic recreation" and "therapeutic recreation specialist," outlines the qualifications necessary for licensure, and establishes penalties for unlawful practice, including misdemeanor charges. The act also mandates criminal background checks for applicants and creates the Recreational Therapy Technical Advisory Committee to assist the Department of Health in licensure matters.

Furthermore, the bill details the employment and licensure process under the Department of Health, specifying that employees must not have any financial interest in therapeutic recreation. It outlines qualifications for licensure, including age, educational requirements, field experience, and examination completion, while allowing for the issuance of licenses without examination for those already certified in other states. The legislation also includes provisions for temporary licenses, license renewal requirements involving continuing education, and protections for the title "therapeutic recreation specialist." It emphasizes client safety by prohibiting coercion of specialists and outlines grounds for denial, revocation, or suspension of licenses based on criminal convictions or regulatory violations.