(a)

(1) The Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services of the Department of Human Services shall adopt 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 shall be licensed by the division unless expressly exempted under this subchapter.

(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 working within the standards of their respective professions, including without limitation:

(A) Attorneys;

(B) Counselors;

(C) Nurses;

(D) Physicians;

(E) Psychological examiners;

(F) Psychologists;

(G) School counselors; and

(H) Social workers;

(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 Nar-Anon.

(c) (1) The division shall license programs, other than methadone programs, that possess current unrestricted alcohol and drug abuse treatment program accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities or the Council on Accreditation if the programs comply with the following license standards:

(A) Clinical supervision;

(B) Health and safety;

(C) Physical plant;

(D) Progress note development;

(E) Treatment plan development; and

(F) Treatment plan review.

(2)

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

(B) All methadone treatment programs shall be licensed by the division.