Bill Filed to Protect Teachers From Being Penalized for Declining to Use Students’ Preferred Pronouns

Legislation,

A measure filed at the Arkansas Legislature on Monday would protect teachers and faculty from being penalized if they fail to use a student’s or co-worker’s preferred pronouns.

H.B. 1468 by Rep. Wayne Long (R – Bradford) says that a teacher or faculty member who declines to use a student’s or co-worker’s preferred pronouns could not be held civilly, criminally, or administratively liable.

The bill would apply to teachers and faculty at public schools and state-supported colleges and universities in Arkansas.

Educators in other states have been fired and suspended for declining to use students’ chosen pronouns.

H.B. 1468 would help prevent that from happening in Arkansas.

You Can Read H.B. 1468 Here.

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Appropriation Measure Would Renew Million Dollar Grant Program for Pregnancy Centers

Abortion, Legislation, , , ,

A measure filed at the Arkansas Legislature on Monday would renew funding for state grants awarded to pregnancy help organizations.

S.B. 286 by Sen. Scott Flippo (R – Bull Shoals) authorizes $1 million in state-funded grants for crisis pregnancy centers, maternity homes, adoption agencies, and social services agencies that provide material support to women with unplanned pregnancies.

The bill also contains language clarifying that grant funding cannot go to abortion providers or their affiliates.

The Department of Finance and Administration would be responsible for awarding the grants, which would become available when Fiscal Year 2024 begins this summer.

S.B. 286 is virtually identical to a good appropriation measure the Arkansas Legislature passed last year. It ensures that the grant program that lawmakers authorized in 2022 will continue to provide funding for pregnancy help organizations in the coming year.

You Can Read S.B. 286 Here.

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Bill Would Repeal Alcohol Delivery Law in Arkansas

Alcohol, Legislation,

A new bill at the Arkansas Legislature would address alcohol delivery in the state.

S.B. 284 by Sen. Jane English (R – North Little Rock) would prevent retail liquor stores, microbrewery restaurants, and small breweries from delivering alcohol to private residences in the county where the store is located.

The Arkansas Legislature passed a measure in 2021 that permitted these types of alcohol deliveries in the state.

S.B. 284 would repeal that law from 2021.

You can read S.B. 284 here.

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