On March 31st, Arkansas House Bill 1187 was heard by the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee. During the hearing, AAMFT staff were joined by MFTs Dr. Kelly Roberts and Dr. Becky Whetstone, who provided strong and persuasive testimony on the urgent need for licensure portability.
Their testimonies highlighted the challenges professionals face in moving to Arkansas and how the lack of portability can hinder timely access to care. These real-world examples helped committee members fully understand the impact this bill could have on both MFTs and the public they serve.
Thanks to the strength of their testimony and broad support for the measure, HB 1187 successfully passed out of committee. This marks a significant milestone in our legislative journey.
We want to extend our sincere thanks to Drs. Roberts and Whetstone, for making time to support the profession and advocate for this bill. Their efforts made a real difference in moving HB 1187 forward.
Stay tuned for more updates as HB 1187 moves to the Arkansas House floor for a vote.