Arkansas Code
Subchapter 8 - Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Protocol Act of 2017
§ 20-47-809. Implementation of psychiatric emergency services

(a)
(1) To implement psychiatric emergency services under a crisis intervention protocol under this subchapter, a crisis stabilization unit shall request licensure from the Department of Human Services for the number of extended observation beds that are required to adequately serve the designated crisis stabilization unit catchment area.
(2) A license for the requested extended observation beds is required before the crisis stabilization unit may put the extended observation beds into service for patients.

(b) If the Department of Human Services determines that psychiatric emergency services under this subchapter are adequate to provide for the privacy and safety of all patients receiving services in the crisis stabilization unit, the Department of Human Services may approve the location of one (1) or more of the extended observation beds within another area of the single point of entry rather than in proximity to the emergency department.
(c) Each psychiatric emergency service shall provide or contract to provide qualified physicians, licensed mental health professionals, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatric physician assistants, and ancillary personnel necessary to provide services twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
(d)
(1) A psychiatric emergency service provided by a crisis stabilization unit shall have at least one (1) physician, one (1) psychiatric nurse practitioner, one (1) psychiatric physician assistant, or one (1) mental health professional who is a member of the staff of the crisis stabilization unit and who is on duty and available at all times.
(2) However, the medical director of the psychiatric emergency service may waive the requirement under subdivision (d)(1) of this section if provisions are made for:
(A) A physician in the emergency department to assume responsibility and provide initial evaluation and treatment of an individual with a behavioral health impairment in the custody of a crisis intervention team officer or referred by the community mental health center;
(B) A licensed mental health professional to screen and assess an individual with a behavioral health impairment within thirty (30) minutes of notification that the individual has arrived; and
(C) The physician, psychiatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric physician assistant, or mental health professional on call for the psychiatric emergency service to evaluate the individual with a behavioral health impairment onsite within twelve (12) hours of the individual's admission.

(3) A crisis stabilization unit is encouraged to use telemedicine under this subchapter to the extent it is effective and authorized by state law.