Arkansas joined the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

SB111 enters Arkansas into the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (DDH Compact). Developed through a Cooperative Agreement between DoD and the Council of State Governments, the DDH compact benefits military spouses who are licensed dental professionals. It streamlines the process of practicing in multiple states, reduces the burden of maintaining multiple licenses, and facilitates mobility. This compact also ensures that military spouses can easily maintain their licenses when relocating with their service member.

The Dietitian Compact ensures that military spouses can easily practice across state lines when moving from state-to-state. Additionally, the compact will improve public safety and promote workforce development by reducing unnecessary licensure burdens for the 111,000 registered dietitians in the United States.

The EMS Compact, officially the Recognition of EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA), streamlines EMS practice across state lines and provides benefits for military spouses, personnel, and veterans. REPLICA allows EMS professionals to practice in other compact member states with without needing additional licenses. Section 7 of the compact provides specific support for military, spouses, and veterans.

Governor signed HB 1217, joining Arkansas to the Massage Therapy Compact.

Arkansas joined the Interstate Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

Allows for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs) to have one multistate license, with the ability to practice in both their home state and other NLC states.

Arkansas joined the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact.

Approved Arkansas becoming a member of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

Arkansas PAs and military spouses benefit from streamlined licensure processes of the PA compact. The compact expands job opportunities and improves patient care continuity, particularly for military families. By joining the compact Arkansas enhances collaboration with other compact states, bolstering patient safety. This participation strengthens Arkansas's healthcare workforce, expands patient access, and improves emergency response capabilities, all while preserving the state's existing regulatory authority.

Establishes the Psychological Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) in Arkansas.

Developed through a Cooperative Agreement between DoD and the Council of State Governments, the Social Work Licensure Compact was adopted by Arkansas in 2025. The compact benefits active duty military personnel and their spouses by allowing them to designate a "Home State" for licensure purposes and maintain it throughout their active duty service. This means they can continue practicing under their compact license if they move to another compact member state. The compact supports all Social Work professionals and increases access to mental health care across state lines.

This act further improves the Arkansas Military Child School Transitions Act of 2021, § 6-28-101 et seq., by: (1) Eliminating the one-year limitation on eligibility of children of Gold Star families and medically separated or retired families to be covered by this act; (2) Allowing public schools to apply provisions of this act to all students who apply for enrollment in a public school in addition to those students who are dependents of members of the uniformed services; (3) Defining actions for military services families to accomplish when applying for enrollment in advance of their arrival in Arkansas; (4) Expanding authority of receiving districts' special education staff members to proactively collaborate with sending districts to facilitate a smooth transition of incoming students with disabilities; and (5) Providing for the Purple Star School Program development and administration.

HB 1059 amended Arkansas Code § 5-53-134(c) to allow a law enforcement officer to arrest and take into custody a person who they believe has violated a military order of protection, provided it was issued by a commanding general, a military judge, or a special courts-martial convening authority, the service member received notice of the military order of protection and the service member knowingly violated the condition of the military protection order.