§ 20-64-903 - Authority -- Exemptions -- Current programs. - Arkansas Statutes

20-64-903. Authority -- Exemptions -- Current programs.

(a) (1) The Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention is vested with the authority and duty to establish and promulgate rules for the licensure of alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs in Arkansas.

(2) All persons, partnerships, associations, or corporations establishing, conducting, managing, or operating and holding themselves out to the public as alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs must be licensed by the office.

(3) No person, partnership, association, or corporation will be allowed to receive federal or state funds for treatment services until it has received a license.

(b) The following programs and persons are exempted from the requirements of this subchapter:

(1) Acute care, hospital-based alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs governed by 20-9-201 and 20-10-213;

(2) Members of the clergy, Christian Science practitioners, and licensed professionals such as physicians, nurses, psychologists, counselors, social workers, psychological examiners, school counselors, substance abuse counselors, and attorneys working within the standards of their respective professions;

(3) Treatment directly administered by the United States Department of Defense or any other federal agency; and

(4) Self-help or twelve-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon, or Narc-Anon.

(c) (1) (A) Programs meeting the alcohol and drug abuse treatment program standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, or the Council on Accreditation will automatically receive office licensure as licensed alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs.

(B) The license shall be awarded by the office upon presentation by the program of evidence of accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, or the Council on Accreditation.

(2) (A) This subsection does not apply to methadone and alpha acetylmethadol treatment programs operating in the State of Arkansas.

(B) All methadone and alpha acetylmethadol treatment programs shall be licensed by the office.