Arkansas legislation · 95th General Assembly (2025 Regular)
Arkansas HB1963: TO CLARIFY THAT AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE WHO PRESCRIBES A STIMULANT MAY SUBSTITUTE A THERAPEUTICALLY EQUIVALENT MEDICATION
Status: Chaptered, April 21, 2025
What the bill says
An act to be entitled an act to clarify that an advanced practice registered nurse who prescribes a stimulant may substitute a therapeutically equivalent medication; and for other purposes. subtitle to clarify that an advanced practice registered nurse who prescribes a stimulant may substitute a therapeutically equivalent medication.
From the enrolled text:
An Act To Be Entitled AN ACT TO CLARIFY THAT AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE WHO PRESCRIBES A STIMULANT MAY SUBSTITUTE A THERAPEUTICALLY EQUIVALENT MEDICATION; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Subtitle TO CLARIFY THAT AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE WHO PRESCRIBES A STIMULANT MAY SUBSTITUTE A THERAPEUTICALLY EQUIVALENT MEDICATION. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: SECTION 1. Arkansas Code § 17-87-310(b)(2)(B)(ii), concerning the prescriptive authority of an advanced practice registered nurse, is amended to read as follows: (ii)(a) The prescription is for a stimulant. (b) A prescription for a stimulant shall meet the following criteria: (1) The prescription was originally initiated by a physician; (2) The physician has evaluated the patient within six (6) months before the advanced practice registered nurse issues a prescription; and (3) The prescription by the advanced practice registered nurse is to treat the same condition as the original prescription. *JMB450* 04-09-2025 18:22:42 JMB450 As Engrossed: S4/9/25 HB1963 (c) An advanced practice registered nurse may substitute a therapeutically equivalent medication of the drug prescribed by the physician under subdivision (b)(2)(B)(ii) of this section. (d) If the advanced practice registered nurse substitutes a therapeutically equivalent medication under subdivision (b)(2)(B)(ii)(c) of this section, the advanced practice registered nurse shall notify the physician who originally prescribed the stimulant of the substitution. /s/Gonzales APPROVED: 4/21/25 …
Sponsors
- Justin Gonzales (R, 89) · primary sponsor
- Justin Boyd (R, 27)
- Lee Johnson (R, 47)
Latest actions
- : Notification that HB1963 is now Act 963
- : Correctly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
- : TO BE ENROLLED
- : Senate amendment # 1 read and concurred in.
- : Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass, concur in Senate Amendment No. 1
- : Re-referred to the Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE
- : Returned from Senate as passed, as amended # 1
- : Returned to the House as passed as amended # 1 .
- : Read the third time and passed.
- : REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
Votes
- House Roll Call #1401 (April 16, 2025): 84 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Roll Call #1170 (April 10, 2025): 34 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Roll Call #1098 (April 9, 2025): 59 yea, 18 nay, passed
- House Roll Call #979 (April 7, 2025): 85 yea, 4 nay, passed
- Senate Roll Call #466 (March 10, 2025): 33 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Roll Call #64 (January 30, 2025): 93 yea, 1 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB1963?
- HB1963 is a bill in the Arkansas Legislature (95th General Assembly (2025 Regular)): TO CLARIFY THAT AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE WHO PRESCRIBES A STIMULANT MAY SUBSTITUTE A THERAPEUTICALLY EQUIVALENT MEDICATION.
- What does HB1963 do?
- In its own words: An act to be entitled an act to clarify that an advanced practice registered nurse who prescribes a stimulant may substitute a therapeutically equivalent medication; and for other purposes. subtitle to clarify that an advanced practice registered nurse who prescribes a stimulant may substitute a therapeutically equivalent medication.
- What is the status of HB1963?
- Chaptered as of April 21, 2025. Latest action: Notification that HB1963 is now Act 963 (April 21, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB1963?
- Justin Gonzales (R, 89), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1963?
- On the Arkansas Legislature website: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R&measureno=HB1963
Source: official Arkansas record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.