Bill Filed to Strengthen Arkansas Law Regarding Sexual Indecency With a Minor

Legislation, ,

A measure filed at the Arkansas Legislature on Wednesday would strengthen state law concerning sexual indecency with a child.

S.B. 270 by Sen. John Payton (R – Wilburn) and Rep. Cindy Crawford (R – Fort Smith) clarifies that an adult commits sexual indecency if the adult exposes himself or herself in a public changing area to a child who is a member of the opposite sex.

The bill also addresses adults entering or loitering in changing areas where a child of the opposite sex is present.

The bill defines “public changing facility” to include a restroom, bathroom, locker room, or shower room.

S.B. 270 is a good measure that will help protect children in Arkansas.

Read S.B. 270 Here.

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Arkansas House Passes Bill to Repeal Abortion Facility Licensing Requirements

Abortion, , , ,

On Wednesday the Arkansas House of Representatives passed a bill that repeals licensing requirements for abortion facilities in Arkansas law.

S.B. 138 by Sen. Missy Irvin (R – Mountain View) and Rep. Rebecca Burkes (R – Lowell) eliminates a provision in Arkansas law that says any facility that performs abortions must be licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health.

The Arkansas Department of Health has said Arkansas should repeal the licensing requirement, because abortion is now prohibited except to save the life of the mother.

Arkansas’ abortion facility licensing requirement is tied to other provisions related to abortion in state code. Repealing the licensing requirement could have unintended consequences for those good laws if abortion were once again made legal by a state or federal court decision or law.

Pro-lifers have asked lawmakers to amend S.B. 138 or pass follow-up legislation that would help address unintended consequences that could arise from the bill.

You Can Read S.B. 138 Here.

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Senate Committee Passes Bill Protecting Public School Student Privacy

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Above: Sen. Dan Sullivan (R – Jonesboro) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) present H.B. 1156 protecting student privacy in Arkansas.

On Wednesday the Senate Education Committee passed a measure protecting the physical privacy and safety of public school students in Arkansas.

H.B. 1156 by Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) and Sen. Dan Sullivan (R – Jonesboro) addresses privacy in public school locker rooms, showers, restrooms, changing areas, and similar facilities.

The bill required public schools to designate these facilities for “male” or “female” use.

H.B. 1156 passed in the Arkansas House of Representatives two weeks ago, where it received very strong support from lawmakers.

H.B. 1156 is a good bill that will protect public school students in Arkansas.

It now goes to the entire Arkansas Senate for consideration.

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