HB 1532 proposes creating the Arkansas Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Department of Health to address challenges faced by Arkansans with rare diseases. The council would consist of 8 members including patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and industry experts, serving 3-year terms with geographic and demographic diversity. Its key duties include researching treatment barriers (like orphan drug pricing and Medicaid coverage), recommending policy improvements for diagnosis and care access, conducting public surveys, and developing emergency care protocols for rare disease patients. The bill was filed in February 2025, referred to the Public Health Committee, and withdrawn by the author on April 14, 2025, so it has not advanced further.
HB 1057 would allow nonviolent felons who have completed all sentences (including parole or probation) to restore their right to possess firearms. To qualify, a person must have no other felony convictions in another state and must meet specific eligibility criteria outlined in the bill. The bill requires Arkansas to create uniform forms for the restoration process and mandates the Arkansas Crime Information Center to notify the National Crime Information Center when rights are restored. This change would directly affect nonviolent felons who meet these conditions, enabling them to legally possess firearms after fulfilling sentencing requirements.
HB 1992 would require dog owners to obtain a registration certificate if their dog is classified as dangerous or vicious under new Arkansas law. It defines a "dangerous dog" as one causing a bite injury (not serious injury) or killing a pet animal under specific circumstances, and a "vicious dog" as one attacking without provocation and causing serious injury or death. Animal control officers would investigate reports, issue written declarations detailing the dog's status and owner restrictions, and notify owners via mail, publication, or posting. Owners could appeal a classification within 15 days by requesting a hearing.
HB 1860 modifies the expiration period and renewal process for medical marijuana patient registry cards. It sets the card's validity to one year from issuance (unless a certifying physician specifies an earlier expiration) and establishes a two-step renewal system. For the first renewal, patients can submit a written request to the health department without needing a new physician certification, but after that initial renewal, a new certification from the physician is required for a new card. This directly affects medical marijuana patients who hold these registry cards and need to maintain legal access to their medication.
HB 1306 would grant legal protection from lawsuits (civil immunity) to churches and other places of worship, as well as volunteer security personnel working there, if they act in good faith. The bill specifically requires that volunteer security personnel receive "adequate training" to qualify for this immunity, replacing an earlier "requires training" language through Amendment 1. This legislation directly affects religious institutions and their volunteer security staff by limiting their liability for certain actions taken while providing security. The bill was withdrawn by its author on April 10, 2025, and is no longer active.
HB 1081 would repeal a $16.5 million annual funding allocation for professional learning communities in Arkansas public schools, specifically removing Arkansas Code § 6-20-2305(b)(5)(C). This funding was intended to support the development and administration of teacher collaboration programs (professional learning communities) for school districts. The bill, introduced by Rep. B. McKenzie in 2025, was withdrawn by the author on April 9, 2025, before moving to a committee vote. It directly affected public school districts and the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, which would have administered the funds.
HB 1825 allows Arkansas public high schools to require students to earn one credit in a computer science or computer science-related career and technical education course to graduate. This policy change applies to all public high school students in Arkansas, though schools may choose whether to implement this requirement. The bill amends graduation standards to include this option and directs the state to identify qualifying courses for schools that adopt the requirement. It does not mandate the requirement statewide but provides schools with the option to add this computer science credit to graduation criteria.
HB 1636 would phase out Arkansas' soft drink tax by gradually eliminating it based on sales tax collections from soft drink sales. The bill proposed replacing the current tax with a system tied directly to existing sales tax data, ensuring a smooth transition. This change would directly affect soft drink retailers (who collect the tax) and consumers (who pay it). The legislation aimed to replace an outdated tax structure with one aligned to current sales tax reporting practices.
This bill would require pediatricians to screen children aged 3 and older for Type 1 diabetes during annual well-child visits using blood sugar tests and other necessary methods (like antibody testing if family history is present). It would mandate that Arkansas Medicaid and all private health insurance plans cover these screenings, effective January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects pediatricians (who must conduct screenings), children receiving routine care, and health insurers (who must provide coverage). It aims to address delayed diagnosis by making early screening a standard part of pediatric care.
HB 1710 prohibits public school districts, charter schools, and private schools in Arkansas from using or referencing publicly published school ratings (from the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education) in any advertising, promotional materials, or public communications. The bill aims to prevent schools from leveraging these ratings for marketing purposes. It was introduced on March 10, 2025, but was withdrawn by its author on April 8, 2025, and is no longer active. This bill directly affects schools that might have used rating systems in their public outreach.
HB 1731 would require children under 16 to obtain employment certificates before working, directly affecting young workers and employers in Arkansas. The certificates, issued by the Division of Labor, would require proof of age, work details, and parental consent, aiming to reduce child labor violations. The bill cites research showing states with such mandates have 15.5% lower child labor violation rates. This bill was filed in March 2025 but withdrawn by its author on April 8, 2025, and did not become law.
HB 1920 would transfer general state revenue to the Aging and Adult Services Fund to provide food services for elderly residents. This funding directly supports older adults participating in state-supported meal programs, particularly those facing food insecurity. The bill includes an emergency declaration to expedite the transfer, allowing immediate use of funds without waiting for regular budget cycles. The policy change ensures prompt access to nutritious meals for seniors through existing state services.
