The bill amends the law regarding death certificates in Arkansas, specifically clarifying which medical professionals are authorized to sign a medical certificate of death and pronounce death. It updates Arkansas Code 20-18-601(c)(3) to allow a registered nurse employed by the attending hospice to complete and sign the medical certification of death for terminally ill patients receiving hospice services. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for advanced practice registered nurses, enabling them to sign the medical certificate of death and pronounce death in a hospital setting, provided they have the authority from the hospital's medical staff and a physician is not immediately available.

The new legal language inserted into the bill specifies that advanced practice registered nurses can perform these duties under certain conditions, thereby expanding the scope of professionals who can certify death. This change aims to streamline the process of death certification and ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate care at the end of life.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1734 V2 - 3-17-2025 11:55 AM: 20-18-601(c)
Old version HB1734 V3 - 4-8-2025 10:52 AM: 20-18-601(c)
Old version HB1734 Original - 3-11-2025 12:58 PM: 20-18-601(c)
HB 1734: 20-18-601(c)
Act 862: 20-18-601(c)