The past week at The Capitol

We are now in the final days of the 93rd General Assembly. This past week a wide variety of issues were addressed in the House of Representatives. The House voted in favor of the following legislation addressing law enforcement, mental health, and education:

Law Enforcement

HB1865- This bill requires all law enforcement officers in the state to complete annual training related to a law enforcement officer’s duty to intervene if the law enforcement officer observes the use of excessive force by another law enforcement officer.

HB1680- This bill states law enforcement agencies must assist a law enforcement officer involved in a critical incident in obtaining services that may help the officer recover from psychological effects.

Mental Health

HB1689- This bill will create an Arkansas Legislative Study on Mental and Behavioral Health.

SB27- This bill requires the Arkansas Department of Health to ensure that the Suicide Prevention Hotline employs individuals who have experience working with veterans or are veterans.

Education:

SB160- This bill states that in the 2022- 2023 school year, Holocaust education shall be taught in all public schools in a manner that generates an understanding of the causes, course, and effects of the Holocaust.

SB524- This bill states that by August 1, 2022, each public school district and open- enrollment public charter school in the state shall prepare a threeyear teacher and administrator recruitment and retention plan. The plan should include goals for recruitment and retention of teachers and administrators of minority races and ethnicities who increase diversity among the district staff and, at a minimum, reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the district’s students.

SB394- This bill states that a public school district or open- enrollment charter school shall conduct a comprehensive school safety audit every three years to assess the safety, security, accessibility, and emergency preparedness of district buildings and grounds in collaboration with local law enforcement, fire, and emergency management officials.

HB1794- This bill creates the Licensed Practical Nurse Pathway Pilot Program. It states that the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with the Division of Higher Education, shall establish and implement a program in which high school students may enroll in undergraduate courses required to obtain a diploma or certificate of completion as a licensed practical nurse by the date on which the public school student graduates or within a reasonable frame of time after the public school student graduates.

HB1701- This bill states that a teacher of a K- 12 science class at a public school or open- enrollment public charter school may teach creationism as a theory.

As always, I hope each of you will have a great day.