All Roll Calls
Yes: 156 • No: 1
ArkansasSB1112025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
TO ESTABLISH THE DENTIST AND DENTAL HYGIENIST COMPACT.
Sponsored By: Kim Hammer (Republican), Lee Johnson (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 7 mixed.
Military dental professionals get fee relief
Active military members and their spouses do not pay the Commission fee for a Compact practice privilege. A state charging its own privilege fee can lower or waive that fee for them. State fee relief is optional, so a separate state fee may remain.
Dental professionals face interstate practice fees
The Compact Commission can charge dental professionals to grant and renew interstate practice privileges. Renewal fees can apply during each period when a professional uses or plans to use a privilege. The state where they practice can charge separate privilege and renewal fees. That state can also require a state-law test or other law requirement and charge a fee. The law does not set fee amounts.
Dental Commission gains authority and protections
Member states form a joint government Commission to run the Compact, rather than an agency of one state. State executive and judicial branches must enforce the Compact, and permitted Commission-state agreements bind both parties. Commission personnel receive protection from civil liability for covered work-related acts, including reasonably believed duties. The Commission must defend them and cover qualifying judgments. These protections exclude intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct and do not limit dental professionals' malpractice liability.
Dental oversight brings cross-state practice limits
Dental professionals must follow practice limits in each state where they use a Compact privilege. That state can investigate, fine, or remove privileges, following its laws and due process. A restricted member-state license blocks Compact practice until cleared; privilege removal can also block practice across member states. Removal periods must end and required conditions must be met before eligibility returns. Only the issuing state can discipline its license, using its own procedures and evidence from other states. Professionals in monitoring or recovery programs need another state's prior approval to practice there during the program.
Dental records shared with privacy limits
The Commission maintains a shared system for dental licenses, practice privileges, discipline, and major investigation information. States must submit required records, including application denials and reportable monitoring-program information, and check for disciplinary actions. Criminal-history records are excluded when reporting is barred by law. Member states can see each other's disciplinary records; investigation information is generally limited to member states unless broader sharing is authorized. Contributing states can block public release, and records later expunged under applicable law must be removed. Commission-certified records qualify as official business records and can be admitted under a hearsay exception in member-state proceedings.
Binding dental rules retain state safeguards
Commission rules bind member states without their usual rulemaking steps or separate adoption by Arkansas's dental board. Its rulemaking power extends beyond topics specifically named in the Compact; later-joining states follow existing rules and bylaws. Conflicting state requirements give way only to the extent of the conflict; other state requirements remain enforceable. Rules cannot override state practice limits established by law and upheld by a court. A majority of member-state legislatures can reject a rule or part within four years, ending its legal force. Arkansas assigns its rejection authority to the General Assembly or Legislative Council.
Dental practice gets state-exit transition protection
A state can leave by repealing its Compact law, with withdrawal effective 180 days after enactment. It must notify licensees and keep recognizing practice privileges for at least 180 days after withdrawal notice. The Commission can terminate a defaulting state only after notice, an offer of help, exhausted compliance measures, and a majority vote. A terminated state must immediately notify licensees and honor existing privileges for at least 180 days after termination notice. States remain responsible for earlier obligations and for reporting and investigating conduct that occurred during membership. The Commission can also deny or end membership when a state's constitutional requirement materially departs from the Compact.
Interstate practice opens for dental professionals
Arkansas joins a Compact letting eligible dentists and hygienists practice in member states without separate licenses. Applicants need an unrestricted member-state license and no restricted licenses in other member states. They must meet education, national exam, clinical assessment, background check, and continuing education requirements. Accredited programs or accepted equivalents qualify. Professionals must apply, report disciplinary actions and address changes, and accept legal notices by mail. The Compact starts upon enactment in the seventh state and continues even if membership later falls below seven. Compatible licensing agreements with nonmember states remain allowed.
Arkansas funds and runs dental participation
Arkansas's dental board administers the Compact and must adopt consistent implementation rules. Final rules must be filed with the Secretary of State by January 1, 2026, or promptly after pending approvals. Arkansas must maintain complaint reviews, background checks, shared reporting, accepted licensing credentials, and continuing education requirements. Licensing officials must consider background-check results and report check completion and licensing decisions to the Commission. Arkansas must pay a participation fee; the Commission can assess member states when other revenue cannot cover its approved budget. State assessment shares are set by rule, and amounts are not stated.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Kim Hammer
Republican • Senate
Lee Johnson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/20/2025
Senate Vote - Thursday, March 20, 2025 2:00:28 PM
Yes: 32 • No: 0 • Other: 1
House vote • 3/17/2025
House Vote - Monday, March 17, 2025 2:30:57 PM
Yes: 93 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/27/2025
Senate Vote - Thursday, February 27, 2025 1:11:43 PM
Yes: 31 • No: 0 • Other: 3
Actions Timeline
Notification that SB111 is now Act 395
3/31/2025SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
3/20/2025SenateReported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
3/20/2025SenateORDERED ENROLLED
3/20/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
3/20/2025SenateRules suspended.
3/20/2025SenateHouse Amendment No. 1 read first time, rule suspended, read second time and concurred in.
3/20/2025SenatePlaced on second reading for purpose of amendment.
3/20/2025SenateReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass concur in House Amendment No. 1
3/19/2025SenateRe-referred to PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE
3/17/2025SenateReturned from the House as passed as amended # 1 .
3/17/2025SenateReturned to Senate as passed, as amended # 1
3/17/2025HouseRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
3/17/2025HouseREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
3/12/2025HouseAmendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.
3/12/2025HousePlaced on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
3/12/2025HouseReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass as amended 1
3/11/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE
2/27/2025HouseRECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
2/27/2025HouseOrdered immediately transmitted to the House.
2/27/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
2/27/2025SenateReturned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
2/26/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE
1/27/2025SenateFiled
1/27/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB111 - Introduced
1/27/2025
Act Version
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