Sen. Scott Flippo

Maddy summaryThis bill adds nitrogen gas as an additional method of execution for individuals sentenced to death in Arkansas, alongside the existing lethal injection option. It requires prison officials to notify death row inmates of the chosen execution method (nitrogen gas or lethal injection) at least seven days in advance. The bill also includes confidentiality provisions preventing public disclosure of execution protocols, drug sources, and personnel involved under Arkansas' public records laws. This change applies to all future capital punishment cases in Arkansas, following its passage into law as Act 302.

Maddy summarySB 142, now Act 122, bans students from possessing or using personal electronic devices (like phones) during the entire school day, directly affecting public school students. The law requires schools to update discipline policies to include specific exemptions: devices issued by the school for educational use, special events (defined by future rules), and devices needed for students with special education plans or concurrent enrollment college courses. It replaces prior rules with these clear exemptions while maintaining the overall "bell to bell" device ban. The bill passed in February 2025 and became law without additional committee action.

Maddy summaryHB 1310 abolishes Arkansas' Commission for the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative and transfers all its authority, records, funds, and responsibilities to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). This affects how the state's cord blood banking program is administered, shifting oversight from a commission to UAMS while keeping the voluntary donation program for parents unchanged. The bill updates statutes to remove references to the abolished commission and ensures existing rules and standards for the blood bank remain in effect. It does not alter donation procedures, costs, or medical uses of stored cord blood.

Maddy summaryHB 1204 (now Act 28) amends Arkansas law to clarify that plaintiffs in medical negligence cases can only recover the actual costs they paid for necessary medical care, treatment, or services - or costs legally owed by them or a third party. It directly affects individuals filing medical malpractice claims and healthcare providers by limiting recoverable damages to amounts actually paid or legally responsible. The key provision changes the standard for medical cost recovery from billed rates to verified payments, preventing recovery of unpaid or inflated charges. This law, enacted on February 11, 2025, provides a clearer financial framework for medical negligence claims in Arkansas.

Maddy summaryHB 1006 redesignates Arkansas' Fourteenth Judicial District as a "Division A" district specifically for prosecuting attorneys. This change requires the district's prosecuting attorney to work full-time instead of part-time, addressing a burdensome caseload. The bill includes an emergency clause stating immediate action is necessary for efficient justice administration. It directly affects the Fourteenth Judicial District's prosecuting attorney position and became effective upon the governor's approval as Act 15 on February 3, 2025.