All Roll Calls
Yes: 129 • No: 1
ArkansasSB1192025 Regular SessionSenate
TO ESTABLISH THE INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT.
Sponsored By: Clint Penzo (Republican), Aaron Pilkington (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.
Faster multistate licensing for eligible physicians
Arkansas adopts a voluntary, faster path for eligible physicians to get separate licenses in participating states, including for telemedicine. Physicians must meet the Compact’s education, exam, training, specialty certification, license, and conduct requirements. They apply through a principal state, which checks eligibility and sends a qualification letter to the Interstate Commission. The principal state follows this order: residence, at least 25% of practice, employer or practice location, then federal tax designation. Physicians who do not qualify can still use ordinary state licensing paths; the Compact takes effect after seven states join.
Fees and renewal limits for physicians
Participating states can charge fees to issue or renew expedited licenses; the law sets no dollar amounts. The Interstate Commission can set fee rules and collects renewal fees for distribution to state boards. Renewal requires a full, unrestricted principal-state license and the issuing state’s continuing education or professional development requirements. Disqualifying convictions, disciplinary actions, or a suspended or revoked controlled-substance registration prevent renewal. Expedited licenses end when physicians fail to maintain their principal license for non-disciplinary reasons and do not designate another principal state.
Patient protections and cross-state physician suspensions
Medical practice falls under the state where the patient is located, including remote visits; that state’s board retains disciplinary authority. The Commission keeps a shared applicant and licensee database, and boards report required complaints, public actions, and discipline. Shared information generally stays confidential and under seal for investigations or discipline, unless Commission rules provide otherwise. Revocation, surrender, relinquishment, or suspension of a principal license automatically gives other Compact licenses the same status. A member board’s revocation or suspension also triggers 90-day suspensions elsewhere for investigation, though boards can end them sooner. Other non-principal-state discipline can support matching or lesser sanctions, or separate action, elsewhere.
Credential and background checks for physicians
Arkansas’s Medical Board must verify physician credentials through the Federal Credentials Verification Service or a state service aligned with the Compact. Principal-state checks require FBI-compliant fingerprints or other biometric checks, with an exception for certain federal employees. Arkansas Compact applicants must give written permission for State Police to release state and federal criminal-history results to the Board. Physicians who fail to supply required credential information within 30 days can face Arkansas license suspension after a hearing.
Lawsuit protections for licensing Commission workers
Covered Commission officers, employees, and other personnel receive protection from lawsuits and liability for covered work within their duties. Coverage also includes work reasonably believed to fall within those duties, subject to applicable state-law limits. Protections do not cover intentional or willful and wanton misconduct. The Compact also requires defense and payment of covered claims as specified, which can create Commission or state costs.
Shared licensing rules bind member states
The Arkansas State Medical Board administers the Compact and must make state rules consistent with it. Initial rules must be filed by January 1, 2026, or as soon as practicable after required approvals. Lawful Commission actions and applicable agreements bind member states; Commission rules apply in Arkansas without separate Board adoption. Conflicting state laws give way only to the extent of the conflict, and state constitutional limits remain protected. Each member state’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches must enforce the Compact. The joint Commission has two voting commissioners per state and can make binding rules, with federal court review available. It can assess annual charges on states, must have adequate funds for obligations, and must include audited finances in annual reports.
States face penalties and delayed withdrawal
A majority of Commissioners can authorize a federal lawsuit against a state that defaults on Compact duties. The Commission can seek a court order or damages; the winning party is entitled to costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees. Membership can end after an uncured default, exhausted efforts to secure compliance, and a majority vote, removing the state’s Compact benefits. A state can withdraw by repealing its Compact law and notifying every other member state’s governor in writing. Withdrawal takes effect one year after the repeal takes effect; states still owe dues and liabilities through withdrawal or termination.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Clint Penzo
Republican • Senate
Aaron Pilkington
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/10/2025
House Vote - Monday, March 10, 2025 3:34:59 PM
Yes: 99 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Senate Vote - Tuesday, March 4, 2025 1:56:38 PM
Yes: 30 • No: 1 • Other: 4
Actions Timeline
Notification that SB119 is now Act 269
3/12/2025SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
3/11/2025SenateReported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
3/11/2025SenateORDERED ENROLLED
3/10/2025SenateReturned from the House as passed.
3/10/2025SenateReturned to the Senate as passed.
3/10/2025HouseRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
3/10/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
3/6/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE
3/4/2025HouseRECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
3/4/2025HouseOrdered immediately transmitted to the House.
3/4/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
3/4/2025SenateREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
3/3/2025SenateAmendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
3/3/2025SenatePlaced on second reading for purpose of amendment.
3/3/2025SenateReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 1
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
SB119 - Introduced
1/27/2025
Act Version
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