This bill aims to exempt providers in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) from the licensing requirements typically mandated for home healthcare services. The General Assembly recognizes that while PACE providers deliver comprehensive care, including home-based services, they do not fit the traditional definition of home healthcare service providers. The intent is to clarify that these providers should not be subjected to the same licensing regulations as other home healthcare entities, thereby streamlining their operations and ensuring they can continue to provide necessary care without unnecessary regulatory burdens.

To implement this exemption, the bill amends Arkansas Code 20-10-802 by adding a new subdivision that specifically states that licensed and certified PACE providers in good standing, who are delivering services as part of documented care plans for enrolled participants, are exempt from the home healthcare licensing requirements. This legislative change is designed to facilitate the provision of all-inclusive care to elderly individuals while maintaining the integrity and quality of services offered by PACE providers.

Statutes affected:
SB 180: 20-10-802
Act 144: 20-10-802