House Committee Passes Bad “Hate Crimes” Bill

Hate Crimes,

On Thursday the Arkansas House Judiciary Committee passed S.B. 622, a bad bill widely being referred to as a “hate crimes” measure.

As we have written repeatedly, S.B. 622 is vague and subjective.

The bill is so ambiguous that it’s impossible to know just how far-reaching this legislation may be.

S.B. 622 fails to define important terms like ‘recognizable and identifiable.’

Its protections for religious liberty are not adequate.

It does not contain sufficient safeguards to prevent cities and counties from enacting their own, more stringent hate crimes ordinances.

It does not do enough to protect free speech or prevent thought-policing.

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

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Legislation Filed to Establish Day of Prayer in Arkansas

Religious Freedom,

On Thursday Sen. Ricky Hill (R – Cabot) and Rep. Cameron Cooper (R – Romance) filed S.B. 662.

This good bill establishes a Day of Prayer for Arkansas Students.

The bill calls on the citizens of the state to “pray, meditate, or otherwise reflect upon” students, teachers, school administrators, and schools” on the last Wednesday of September every year.

The bill is similar to a law Kentucky passed in 2019.

S.B. 662 is a good bill that will encourage Arkansans to pray for our schools, our teachers, and our students.

Read The Bill Here.

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House Public Health Committee Passes Two Pro-Life Bills

Abortion, , , ,

On Thursday the House Public Health Committee passed two good, pro-life bills.

The first was S.B. 463. This good bill by Sen. Blake Johnson (R – Corning) and Rep. Tony Furman (R – Benton) requires the State of Arkansas to report abortion data to the federal Centers for Disease Control.

It also tightens Arkansas law concerning abortion facility inspections, and it requires abortionists to file certain documentation when the woman is a victim of rape or incest.

The second was S.B. 527. This good bill by Sen. Ben Gilmore (R – Crossett) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) requires abortion facilities to have transfer agreements with hospitals, and it fixes a flawed definition in a pro-life law passed in 2019.

Both bills passed with solid support from pro-life legislators.

Planned Parenthood has issued statements opposing each of these good measures.

S.B. 527 and S.B. 463 now go to the entire Arkansas House of Representatives for consideration.

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