Arkansas lawmakers passed 890 laws during this year’s legislative session, and most take effect on Tuesday, August 1.
While some laws are already in effect with an emergency clause, the remaining legislation goes into effect 91 days after the session ended on May 1. Of the hundreds passed, 1/4 of those were appropriations bills.
EDUCATION
Act 237 — Commonly called the LEARNS Act, Governor Sarah Huckabee’s education bill brings changes to the state’s education system. Lawmakers included an emergency clause but it has been delayed due to a lawsuit.
Act 317 — Requires students at public and charter schools to use the bathrooms that align with their gender assigned at birth.
Act 511 — Prohibits public schools and colleges from requiring employees to participate in implicit bias training. An institution would not be prohibited from requiring implicit bias training if 95% of it “is required by an accreditor, grantor, or licensor.”
Act 542 — Requires Arkansas public school teachers and professors to use the pronouns and names students were assigned at birth. Students’ parents can provide written permission for students to go by other names or pronouns, but teachers will not be required to comply with such requests.
Act 654 — Amends the requirement for high school students to take a computer science course to graduate so they have the option to instead take a computer science-related career-and-technical education (CTE) course.
Act 883 — Requires a new oath of office for school board members that includes this statement: “… that I shall abide by the ethical guidelines and prohibitions under § 6-24-101 et seq…,” and sets penalties for failing to comply. The law also establishes new reasons school boards can meet behind closed doors and who can be in those meetings under the state’s Freedom of Information Act.
CHILDREN
Act 195 — Removes the requirement for children under 16 years old who wish to work in Arkansas to obtain an employment certificate from the Division of Labor.
Act 274 — Allows minors who receive gender-affirming health care to sue physicians for medical malpractice for providing this care up to 15 years after they turn 18.
Act 612 — Requires pornography websites to verify that users are at least 18 years old.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Act 41 — Extends the deadline to register a motor vehicle from 30 to 60 days when you buy a new car, move to Arkansas or take over ownership of a vehicle.
Act 629 — Outlaws Delta-8, Delta-9 and Delta-10 THC by classifying them Schedule IV drugs.
FIREARM
Act 777 — Clarifies that you don’t have to hold a permit to carry a concealed firearm in Arkansas.
Act 30 – Allows someone who sought voluntary mental health treatment to obtain a concealed carry permit after a certain period.
Act 757 – To protect the rights of medical marijuana patients and caregivers to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun.
Act 773 – Adults can be in possession of a handgun on school property when the person is on a jouney.
MISCELLANOUS
Act 160 — Requires able-bodied adults between the ages 19 and 64 to work, volunteer or participate in a workforce training program in order to receive federal housing assistance. People with disabilities, parents of children under 5 years old and participants in drug and alcohol treatment programs are exempt.
Act 889 — Authorizes the Arkansas Parole Board to create a mobile app with information about parolees and inmates who are being considered for parole.
ELECTION RELATED
Act 305 – This removes the ability for write-in candidates on election ballots.
Act 329 – A ballot count report provided to the county clerk will have:
- a date of delivery
- method of delivery
- total number of ballots provided by ballot
- names and signatures of the person delivering ballots
It also ensures a ballot count report is available to the public.
Act 353 – No absentee ballot drop boxes
No election officials or county clerks are allowed to use a drop box for absentee ballots.
Act 441 – This adds a change to Amendment 51 of the Arkansas Constitution to ensure the security and accuracy of the voter registration list. The Secretary of State under this law can communicate with other states and jurisdictions to compare voter rolls to prevent registration in multiple states and determine who can vote in Arkansas. It is also clarifies that only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in the state.
Act 444 – This allows for the state’s election commissioner board to develop training for poll watchers. It also designates an observation area for poll watches at each location, but they are not allowed to wear campaign material advocating for or against a candidate or interfere with the duties of any election official. Poll watchers will be allowed to challenge a ballot under certain circumstances.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Act 707 – allows law enforcement to use automated cameras to catch images of drivers speeding through work zones. The images from the cameras will be transmitted to an officer down the road from the work site who will be able to write tickets or warnings.
For a full list of every act of the 94th General Assembly, click here.
