This bill, SB 312, proposes to remove the existing moratorium on adding new beds or expanding capacity within psychiatric residential treatment facilities in Arkansas. Currently, these facilities are prohibited from increasing their bed count. If enacted, the bill would allow psychiatric residential treatment facilities to add new beds or expand their existing capacity, with no cap set on the number of beds. This change would directly affect these facilities and individuals seeking psychiatric residential treatment services.
House Bill 1714 aims to revise the legal definition of a "paid canvasser." The bill expands what qualifies as compensation by including actions taken "as a reward for" in addition to "in exchange for" services. It also broadens the type of value received from "an item of value" to "anything of value" when determining if someone is a paid canvasser. These changes directly affect individuals engaged in canvassing activities and organizations that employ or coordinate them, by altering the criteria for how they are legally classified.
Senate Bill 569 proposed an amendment to Article 5, Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution, concerning the ballot titles of proposed measures. This bill would require all ballot titles for statewide, county, and municipal measures to be readable, clear, concise, and not exceed 500 words. This change would directly affect petitioners who submit proposed measures and the election boards responsible for placing these titles on the ballot. The General Assembly would also be authorized to enact laws establishing specific standards for title readability.
Senate Bill 238 amends the Used Tire Recycling and Accountability Act. It requires reporting on the number and category of new small tires sold in Arkansas. The bill mandates that each county establish a minimum of two tire collection centers, which must be regularly monitored and emptied to allow continuous use for waste tire disposal. Additionally, it expands the tire accountability boards from 11 to 13 members by adding two tire retailers appointed by the Governor to oversee used tire programs.
SJR 19 proposes an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution. If approved by voters, this amendment would exempt food and food ingredients from the excise tax currently levied under Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 75. This means that if passed, the state sales tax would no longer apply to most food purchases. This change would directly affect consumers by reducing the cost of groceries and other food items.
Senate Bill 587, also known as the "Parents' Peace of Mind Act," allows residents of long-term care facilities or their representatives to install electronic monitoring devices in their rooms at their own expense. For shared rooms, written consent is required from all roommates or their representatives, and facilities must accommodate residents who do not consent by offering a room change. Facilities cannot refuse admission or remove a resident based on their decision regarding electronic monitoring. The bill mandates posting notices where monitoring devices are in use and establishes penalties for tampering with or destroying these devices.
Senate Bill 507 aimed to require the Arkansas Medicaid Program to cover Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for specific beneficiaries. It would have provided ABA coverage for individuals over 21 years old who have an autism diagnosis, participate in the Community and Employment Services Waiver, and have a medical necessity determination from a physician. The bill specified that these services should be delivered based on individual needs, including one-on-one sessions at home and in the community, by qualified professionals. It also stated that ABA services should not be limited to group or clinical settings.
Senate Bill 349 (SB 349) proposes to transition Victim Assistance Coordinators from county or grant-funded employment to state employees under the Auditor of State, effective October 1, 2025. The bill establishes 110 state positions for these coordinators across various grades and appropriates over $5.3 million for their salaries and benefits for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This aims to ensure a consistent and adequate level of victim services statewide, particularly in areas with limited resources. While the state would fund salaries, counties would remain responsible for providing facilities, equipment, and supplies for these services. The Prosecution Coordination Commission would determine the initial allocation of these state-funded positions.
Senate Bill 221 (SB 221) aims to prohibit specific contracting practices by risk-based provider organizations when they negotiate with direct healthcare service providers in Arkansas. The bill prevents these organizations from using "tying" tactics, which involve requiring a provider to contract for multiple services if they only agree to one, or penalizing them for declining certain services. It also prohibits discrimination against providers who refuse such terms. Violations of these provisions would be considered unfair trade practices, and any problematic contract clauses would be voided. The bill seeks to ensure fair negotiation for providers and protect access to healthcare for Medicaid beneficiaries, especially individuals with disabilities.
SJR 1 proposes an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution that would change the voting requirements for laws concerning public records and public meetings. If approved by voters, this amendment would require a three-fourths vote from each house of the General Assembly to enact, amend, or repeal such laws. This elevated threshold would apply to all relevant legislation, including the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, effective January 1, 2027.
Senate Bill 8 proposed a supplemental appropriation of $5,000,000 for the Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality. These funds were specifically designated for the Used Tire Recycling and Accountability Program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. To provide these funds, the bill included a provision to transfer $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund to the Used Tire Recycling Fund. This was intended to supplement existing appropriations for the program's expenses.
Senate Bill 461 would have required Arkansas prisons, jails, and youth detention facilities to collect and report detailed data on the use of "segregation," defined as solitary confinement. The Department of Corrections, Division of Youth Services, and local detention facilities would have submitted quarterly reports to the Legislative Council. These reports would include information on the demographics of individuals in segregation, the reasons for their placement, the duration of their confinement, and incidents of self-harm or suicide. The bill also defined specific terms like "serious mental illness" to standardize reporting.
