Senate Committee Passes Bill Prohibiting Drag Shows on Public Property and in View of Children

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Above: Family Council President Jerry Cox (right) testifies alongside Sen. Gary Stubblefield (left) in support of S.B. 43.

On Thursday the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee passed S.B. 43 by Sen. Gary Stubblefield (R – Branch) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville).

S.B. 43 clarifies that drag shows are a form of adult performance under Arkansas law. It also says that adult performances — including drag performances — cannot take place on public property or where children can see them.

Over the past few years 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.

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

S.B. 43 now goes to the entire Arkansas Senate for a vote.

You can read S.B. 43 here.

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

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Committee Advances Measure to Permit Pro-Life “Baby Boxes” at Volunteer Fire Stations in Arkansas

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On Thursday the House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed H.B. 1098 expanding Arkansas’ Safe Haven law that lets women anonymously surrender a newborn.

Arkansas’ Safe Haven Act of 2001 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 entire Arkansas House of Representatives for a vote.

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Committee Advances Bill That Could Expand Public Drinking Locations in Arkansas

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On Wednesday the House Rules Committee passed a bill that could expand public drinking in “entertainment districts” across Arkansas.

H.B. 1024 by Rep. David Ray (R – Maumelle) and Sen. Matt McKee (R – Dist. 6) eliminates the provision in Arkansas law that restricts public drinking 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 this bill, 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.

H.B. 1024 now goes to the entire Arkansas House of Representatives for consideration.

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