Bills from the 93rd General Session
This past week at the Capitol things continued to move quickly as we race towards the closing weeks of the session. With now more than 320 bills having been signed into law during the 2021 Regular Session. There are several hundred bills still making their way through the legislative process.
Last week, House members voted on legislation impacting education, healthcare, voting, and much more. The following bills passed the House during the 9th week of the session:
HB1633-This bill requires a city of first class to establish a city police department and provide the department with proper resources.
HB1416-This bill is intended to encourage homebased entrepreneurship. It outlines what restrictions local governments can and cannot place on home-based businesses.
HB1517-This bill states that the Secretary of State shall prepare and administer electronic voter registration application forms.
HB1349-This bill creates the Every Arkansan Retirement Plan Opportunity Act.
It outlines a voluntary plan for employers without a current retirement plan offered to their employees.
HB1570- This bill prohibits healthcare professionals from providing gender transition procedures to any individual under 18 years of age.
HB1510- This bill requires a school district board of directors and local law enforcement agencies to adopt a memorandum of understanding governing school resource officers. It also requires school resource officers to complete specialized training.
HB1429-This bill reduces the waiting period from after a parent or guardian withdraws their child from a school district to enroll to begin homeschool. The waiting period is currently 14 days. This bill reduces it to 5 school days.
HB1522-This bill states that no person applying to be placed on a ballot for any public office shall knowingly provide false information with reference to his or her qualifications. It creates a misdemeanor offense for providing false statements by a candidate.
HB1323This bill allows for the prosecution to display an in-life photograph of a homicide victim to the judge or jury.
HB1512-This bill eliminates no-good-cause exemptions to the work requirement for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs. The bill does provide exemptions for an individual currently in foster care or residing in a domestic violence shelter.
HB1198-This bill allows a certified registered nurse anesthetist to operate in consultation with, but not necessarily in the presence of, a licensed physician.
HB1258-This bill authorizes full independent practice authority for certified nurse practitioners who meet specific requirements. Currently, nurse practitioners have to practice in a collaborative agreement with physicians.
SB155-This bill creates “Lila’s Law,” which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities regarding access to organ transplantation.
HB1069-This bill authorizes pharmacists to provide access to oral contraceptives. The bill also includes a provision for pharmacists to refer a patient to a primary care or women’s health provider if she has not been seen by a physician in the previous six months.
HB1506-This bill classifies the use of a hoax bomb as a Class C felony. A hoax bomb is defined as a device designed to look like an explosive or incendiary device.
SB118-This bill creates the Arkansas Public Service Internship Program.
In the coming days Representatives will be working vigorously to complete the 93rd General Session.
From the Capital with Rep. Rick McClure