Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently vetoed two bills, each carrying emergency clauses that would have rendered them effective immediately upon her signature.
The first, House Bill 1961, aimed to allow medical providers to temporarily withhold a patient’s medical records for up to 30 days under specific conditions, such as reviewing the information with the patient or preventing potential misinterpretations that could harm the patient’s health or safety. Sanders vetoed the bill, citing concerns over the undue delay in patients’ access to their own medical information.
The second, Senate Bill 451, proposed the establishment of regional behavioral health programs by the state’s Education and Human Services departments. The bill intended to help schools manage students displaying behaviors likely to cause harm. Sanders acknowledged the need for interventions but directed the departments to develop a more tailored solution for local schools, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe learning environment.
SB 451 passed the Senate with a strong bipartisan majority but only narrowly cleared the House. The emergency clause required a two-thirds majority, which it eventually achieved after multiple votes. Similarly, HB 1961 faced close votes in both legislative chambers.
The intent behind HB 1961, as explained by its sponsors, was to ensure medical professionals could discuss serious health issues with patients personally before such information became immediately available online. Future legislation addressing implementation concerns may be considered.
Both bills’ sponsors have indicated they do not plan to pursue an override of the vetoes. The legislative session concluded on April 16, with plans to reconvene on May 5 to address any remaining matters before adjourning.
