Measure Permitting Pro-Life “Baby Boxes” Passes Arkansas House Without Opposition

Abortion, Legislation, Legislature, , , ,

On Tuesday the Arkansas House of Representatives passed passed H.B. 1098 without any opposition.

H.B. 1098 expands Arkansas’ Safe Haven law that lets women anonymously surrender a newborn.

The Safe Haven Act lets a woman surrender her newborn baby to law enforcement, medical personnel, and first responders.

The law gives women with unplanned pregnancies an option besides abortion, and it protects newborns from being abandoned.

Similar laws are on the books in all 50 states.

Act 185 of 2019 by Sen. Cecile Bledsoe (R – Rogers) and Rep. Rebecca Petty (R – Rogers) improved Arkansas’ Safe Haven law by letting fire stations install Safe Haven Boxes — sometimes called ‘baby boxes’ — where women can anonymously place their newborn. Placing a baby inside the box triggers a silent alarm notifying first responders about the child.

Since then, multiple babies in Arkansas have been saved by these baby boxes.

H.B. 1098 by Rep. Julie Mayberry (R – Hensley) and Sen. Missy Irvin (R – Mountain View) makes it possible for volunteer fire departments to install baby boxes at their stations, provided that the department maintains and monitors the baby box in accordance with state law, and first responders are able to reach the baby in less than four minutes.

The bill now goes to the Arkansas Senate for a vote.

You can see how your representative voted here.

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Updated: Arkansas Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Bill to Protect Children from Drag Performances

Legislation, Legislature, , ,
Above: Sen. Gary Stubblefield presents S.B. 43 in the Arkansas Senate.

On Tuesday the Arkansas Senate overwhelmingly passed a measure protecting children from drag shows.

S.B. 43 by Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R – Branch) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) clarifies that drag shows are a type of adult performance under Arkansas law, and it prohibits adult performances on public property or in view of children.

We have written repeatedly over the past few years about how public schools, colleges, and libraries in Arkansas have scheduled drag performances — including performances intended for children.

Some of these events have been canceled following public backlash.

At public libraries in particular there has been a push to let men dressed in hyper-sexualized, female costumes read books to children. In some parts of the country events like these have exposed children and families to sexual predators.

On Tuesday the Arkansas Senate passed S.B. 43 by a vote of 29 to six.

Drag shows should not take place on public property or anywhere near children. S.B. 43 will protect children from these performances.

The bill now goes to the Arkansas House of Representatives for consideration.

The Following Senators Voted FOR S.B. 43

  • J. Boyd
  • J. Bryant
  • Caldwell
  • A. Clark
  • Crowell
  • B. Davis
  • Dees
  • J. Dismang
  • J. Dotson
  • J. English
  • Flippo
  • Gilmore
  • K. Hammer
  • Hester
  • Hickey
  • Hill
  • Irvin
  • B. Johnson
  • M. Johnson
  • B. King
  • M. McKee
  • J. Payton
  • C. Penzo
  • J. Petty
  • Rice
  • M. Stone
  • G. Stubblefield
  • D. Sullivan
  • D. Wallace

The Following Senators Voted AGAINST S.B. 43

  • L. Chesterfield
  • S. Flowers
  • G. Leding
  • F. Love
  • R. Murdock
  • C. Tucker

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Bill That Could Expand Public Drinking Fails in Senate Committee

Alcohol, Public Drinking, ,
Above: Family Council staff member Luke McCoy testifies against H.B. 1024 in the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee.

On Tuesday a bill that could expand public drinking in “entertainment districts” in Arkansas failed to pass in the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee.

H.B. 1024 by Rep. David Ray (R – Maumelle) and Sen. Matt McKee (R – Pearcy) eliminates the provision in Arkansas law that restricts public drinking in “entertainment districts” to cities and towns that collect advertising and promotion taxes on hotels, restaurants, and similar businesses.

The tax provision in current law helps make sure that communities establish “entertainment districts” in areas where the hospitality and tourism industry is present.

Under H.B. 1024, communities could authorize public drinking in entertainment districts even if the community does not cater toward hospitality and tourism.

That has the potential to expand public drinking across the state.

On Tuesday H.B. 1024 was presented in the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee. Following testimony from members of the public and questions from the senators, the bill failed by a vote of four to four.

The bill could be presented in the committee again at a later date.

Public drinking is a scourge in our state, and we are grateful to the members of the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee for rejecting this bill that could expand public drinking in cities and towns across Arkansas.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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