Signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act in Arkansas.

Highlights:

• Amends the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act in Arkansas to specify that a healthcare provider shall not be discriminated against because the healthcare provider (Sec. 1):

• Provided, caused to be provided, or is about to provide or  cause to be provided information relating to any act or omission the healthcare provider reasonably believes to be a violation of any provision of  this subchapter to: or

• His or her employer;

• The Attorney General;

• The Department of Health;

• Any state agency charged with protecting the healthcare rights of conscience;

• The United States Department of Health and Human Services;

• The United States Office for Civil Rights; or

• Any state or federal agency charged with protecting the healthcare rights of conscience;

• Testified, assisted, or participated, or is about to testify, assist, or participate, in a proceeding concerning a violation.

• Prohibits a medical researcher, physician, or directly participating healthcare provider shall not be discriminated against because the medical researcher, physician, or directly participating healthcare provider discloses information, including by a formal or informal communication, transmission, or discussion, that the medical researcher, physician, or directly participating healthcare provider reasonably believes evidences (Sec. 1).:

• Any violation of any law related to medical research or the provision of healthcare services; or

• Gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, a practice or method of treatment that may put patient health at risk, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act in Arkansas.

Highlights:

• Amends the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act in Arkansas to specify that a healthcare provider shall not be discriminated against because the healthcare provider (Sec. 1):

• Provided, caused to be provided, or is about to provide or  cause to be provided information relating to any act or omission the healthcare provider reasonably believes to be a violation of any provision of  this subchapter to: or

• His or her employer;

• The Attorney General;

• The Department of Health;

• Any state agency charged with protecting the healthcare rights of conscience;

• The United States Department of Health and Human Services;

• The United States Office for Civil Rights; or

• Any state or federal agency charged with protecting the healthcare rights of conscience;

• Testified, assisted, or participated, or is about to testify, assist, or participate, in a proceeding concerning a violation.

• Prohibits a medical researcher, physician, or directly participating healthcare provider shall not be discriminated against because the medical researcher, physician, or directly participating healthcare provider discloses information, including by a formal or informal communication, transmission, or discussion, that the medical researcher, physician, or directly participating healthcare provider reasonably believes evidences (Sec. 1).:

• Any violation of any law related to medical research or the provision of healthcare services; or

• Gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, a practice or method of treatment that may put patient health at risk, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text