The proposed bill, titled the Community Health Worker Act, aims to establish a statewide certification for community health workers in Arkansas. It introduces a new chapter in the Arkansas Code, specifically Chapter 46, which outlines definitions, certification requirements, and the scope of practice for community health workers. The bill defines a community health worker as a trusted member of the community who serves as a liaison between health services and the community, facilitating access to care and improving service quality. The Department of Health is tasked with issuing certifications to individuals who meet specific criteria, including age, training, and experience, and it also establishes a registry of approved training programs.

Additionally, the bill outlines the procedures for the suspension, revocation, or non-renewal of certifications based on unethical conduct or failure to comply with certification requirements. It specifies the types of services community health workers can provide, such as cultural mediation, health education, care coordination, and advocacy. Furthermore, it ensures the confidentiality of patient data accessed by community health workers and mandates that they receive compensation for their services from the Arkansas Medicaid Program or health benefit plans. The Department of Health is also authorized to create rules for the regulation of community health workers under this new framework.