HB1384

House Bill 1384 amends existing Arkansas law regarding the Graduate Medical Education Residency Expansion Board to refine the administration and scope of medical residency grant programs. The bill replaces references to 'planning grants' with 'implementation grants' to better support the start-up and expansion costs of graduate medical education programs in the state. It clarifies the criteria for these grants, including prioritization for primary care specialties and areas with physician shortages. The legislation also provides a more detailed framework for grant eligibility, accreditation planning, and funding duration based on the length of the program plus two additional years. Finally, the bill includes an emergency clause, allowing the act to take effect immediately upon becoming law to address urgent healthcare worker shortages.