HCS/SB 403 - This act encourages cooperation between county, city and city/county public health agencies to provide prevention and health promotion services. It requires the Director of the Department of Health to set public health minimum standards and to be responsible for the nine core functions of public health described in this act.

The nine core functions include: (1) collecting and analyzing public health data; (2) protecting health by monitoring the overall quality of public health and safety of communities by assessing, monitoring and assisting in the abatement of individual exposure to food, water, air and ground contaminants; (3) investigating and promoting ways to positively influence adverse health conditions; (4) providing public information and education programs to reduce health risks; (5) assuring availability of preventive and primary health care services; (6) providing outreach and linkage services for special populations; (7) providing laboratory services to complement private clinical laboratory services; (8) providing training and education to assure provision of care; and (9) providing policy development and the development of community public health policies and community public health coalitions.

Subject to appropriation, the Department of Health may contract with local governmental public health departments or any other health center, agency or organization for the purpose of carrying out one or more of the nine core functions.

The Department of Health will provide information to the Governor and the General Assembly on the funding needs of local public health agencies.
CHERYL GRAZIER

HA 2 TO HS FOR HCS (HOSMER) - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO DEVELOP AND ESTABLISH A "FIRST RESPONDER" PROGRAM IN TWO STAGES WHICH WILL ALLOW USE OF AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS BY FIRST RESPONDERS. THE FIRST STAGE IN ANY COUNTY OF THE 1ST CLASS WHICH CONTAINS A CITY WITH A POPULATION OVER 100,000 WHICH ADJOINS NO OTHER 1ST CLASS COUNTY. THE SECOND STAGE SHALL BE STATEWIDE. HSA 1 FOR HA 3 TO HS FOR HCS (SHIELDS) - DELETES LANGUAGE ALLOWING HOSPITALS OR HOSPITAL DISTRICTS TO PURCHASE, OPERATE, OR LEASE, AS LESSOR OR LESSEE, COMPATIBLE FACILITIES LOCATED EITHER WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THE CITY OR COUNTY IN WHICH THE HOSPITAL OR HOSPITAL DISTRICT IS LOCATED. HA 4 TO HS FOR HCS (CHILDERS) - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO DEVELOP AND ESTABLISH A "FIRST RESPONDER" PROGRAM WHICH WILL ALLOW USE OF AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS BY FIRST RESPONDERS IN ANY 3RD CLASS COUNTY ADJOINING THE STATE OF ARKANSAS WHICH COUNTY CONTAINS A PORTION OF A LAKE WITH 700 OR MORE MILES OF SHORELINE. HA 5 TO HS FOR HCS (AKIN) - NO STATE EMPLOYEE OR AGENCY IMPLEMENTING PUBLIC HEALTH FUNCTIONS TO COUNSEL OR REFER A PERSON TO OBTAIN AN ABORTION OR REFER A PERSON TO ANY AGENCY WHICH COUNSELS, REFERS OR PERFORMS ABORTIONS. IN THE CASE OF MEDICAL EMERGENCIES, REFERRAL TO BE MADE TO LICENSED HOSPITALS.