Committee advances counseling‑compact bill aimed at easing cross‑state care as witnesses press workforce shortage

The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee advanced House Bill 1181, which would allow licensed professional counselors in Arkansas to obtain practice privileges in participating member states and to provide continuity of care in person or via telehealth.

Sponsor Delia Hawk said the compact is intended to address a shortage of counselors: she cited national and state surveys showing a shortfall in behavioral‑health providers and described uniform entry standards (a 60‑hour master’s requirement, graduation from an accredited program and passage of a national exam). Hawk emphasized the compact commission oversees the compact itself — establishing a national data system, code of ethics and rules — and does not replace state licensing or prosecutorial authority.

Several witnesses spoke in favor. Provider and business owner Deidra Branscomb said Arkansas is experiencing a persistent shortage of counselors and urged legislators to "open the floodgates" so more counselors can serve schools, veterans and families; she acknowledged concerns about fraud but said most providers are trustworthy. Other community witnesses — including representatives from immigrant‑rights and child‑advocacy organizations — told senators the permit would help keep parents informed and create a paper trail to hold employers accountable in child‑labor or exploitation cases (that testimony occurred in a later bill debate but was part of the broader committee docket on workforce and child protections).

With no recorded roll call for the counseling compact alone in the committee transcript, the chair moved the bill and it passed in committee by voice vote. The sponsor said more than a dozen other states have enacted similar counseling‑compact legislation or are considering it.

Next steps for HB1181 are committee concurrence with any floor amendments and consideration by the full chamber.