The bill amends the admissions process for the University of Arkansas College of Medicine by restructuring the allocation of enrollment positions for the freshman medical class. It specifies that twenty-five positions will be allocated to each congressional district, and if there are not enough qualified applicants from a district, the remaining positions will be filled by Arkansas residents and then by applicants likely to complete the program and reside in Arkansas. Additionally, an extra twenty-five positions will be allocated to Arkansas residents, with a similar process for filling any unfilled spots based on residency ties.

The bill also modifies the allocation of positions at large, allowing for an additional twenty-five positions for Arkansas residents, while ensuring that if there are not enough qualified applicants, the remaining spots will be filled by those with ties to Arkansas. The previous provisions regarding the allocation percentages and preferences for legal residents over nonresidents have been removed, allowing for more flexibility in filling positions beyond the specified allocations. Overall, the changes aim to enhance the representation of Arkansas residents in the medical school while addressing potential shortages in qualified applicants.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1833 Original - 3-19-2025 10:19 AM: 6-64-406(b)
Old version HB1833 V2 - 3-20-2025 09:50 AM: 6-64-406(b)
HB 1833: 6-64-406(b)
Act 806: 6-64-406(b)