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. This provision remains unchanged from current law.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions that permit an advanced practice registered nurse to complete and 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, other than an emergency department physician, is not immediately available. This change expands the scope of professionals who can certify death, thereby streamlining the process in healthcare settings.

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)