During the legislative session, many bills have the potential to impact Arkansans with disabilities, their families, and communities. You can follow the progress of these bills here in this policy digest.
Navigate directly to a category:
Accessibility
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status | DRA Stance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB1138 | To Authorize Certain Medical Professionals To Certify To The Office Of Motor Vehicle Eligibility For A Special License Plate, Certificate, Or Parking Decal For A Person With A Disability. | Torres | Enrolled | Support |
| HB1428 | To Amend The Law Regarding Public Lodging; And To Provide A Bed Height Requirement For Mobility Accessible Rooms. | Steimel | Introduced | Support |
Budget
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status | DRA Stance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Children & Youth / Juvenile Justice
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status | DRA Stance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Community Living & Supports
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status | DRA Stance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB110 | To Authorize Certified Nurse Aides Or Certified Nursing Assistants Who Provide In-home Services To Beneficiaries In The Arkansas Medicaid Program To Perform Additional Care And Duties. | Penzo | Introduced | Neutral |
| SB120 | To Require Licensure For All Private Care Agencies In This State; And To Ensure Consumer Protection For Vulnerable Aging Adults. | Penzo | Introduced | Support |
| SB178 | To Amend The Arkansas Healthcare Decisions Act; And To Clarify The Ability Of A Surrogate To Obtain Records On A Principal’s Income, Assets, And Banking And Financial Records. | Boyd | Engrossed | Neutral |
| SB180 | To Exempt Providers In The Program Of All-inclusive Care For The Elderly From The Licensing Requirements For Home Healthcare Services. | Sullivan | Engrossed | Watching |
| HB1063 | To Amend The Achieving A Better Life Experience Program Act; And To Amend The Definitions Of “disability Certification” And “eligible Individual” To Change Disability Onset Age From Twenty-six To Forty-six. | Mayberry | Committee Referral | Support |
| HB1076 | To Create The Caring For Caregivers Act; And To Provide An Income Tax Credit For Expenses Incurred In Caring For Certain Family Members. | Hudson | Committee Referral | Support |
Education
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status | DRA Stance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB142 | To Create The Bell To Bell, No Cell Act; And To Amend The Requirements For Public School Discipline Policies With Regard To Student Use Of Personal Electronic Devices. | Dees | Engrossed | Neutral |
| HB1030 | To Require A School Resource Officer Or Law Enforcement Personnel To Obtain Certification In Youth Mental Health First Aid; And To Require A School Counselor To Receive Youth Mental Health First Aid Training. | Collins | Committee Referral | Support |
| HB1062 | To Create The Teacher And Student Protection Act Of 2025. | Richardson | Committee Referral | Oppose |
| HB1144 | To Require A Participating School Under The Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program To Comply With The Same Statutory And Department Of Education Reporting Requirements To Which Public Schools Are Subject. | Wooten | Introduced | Support |
| HB1239 | To Amend The Public School Funding Act Of 2003; And To Add An Additional Category Of Funding For Special Education Funding. | Collins | Introduced | Support |
| HB1457 | To Require Public Schools To Submit Data And Other Information Related To A Public School Student’s Individualized Education Program Using A Uniform Statewide Data Collection System. | Johnson | Committee Referral | Watching |
Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status | DRA Stance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Institutional Care
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status | DRA Stance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB1058 | To Amend The Law Concerning Ethics And Conflicts Of Interest For Public Officers And Employees; And To Prohibit Public Employees From Giving Advance Notice To Entities Of Required Inspections. | Unger | Committee Referral | Support |
| HB1214 | To Amend The Definition Of Primary Instructor Within The Long-term Care Aide Training Act. | Bentley | Enrolled | Neutral |
Medicaid
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status | DRA Stance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB77 | To Require The Arkansas Medicaid Program To Reimburse For Physical Therapy Provided In A Clinic-based Setting. | Johnson | Enrolled | Support |
| HB1047 | To Authorize The Arkansas Medicaid Program To Make Presumptive Eligibility Determinations For Pregnant Women. | Pilkington | Committee Referral | Support |
| HB1171 | To Modify The Medicaid Provider-led Organized Care Act; And To Authorize An Abbreviated Independent Assessment For Certain Beneficiaries Enrolled In A Risk-based Provider Organization. | Johnson | Committee Referral | Support |
| HB1172 | To Add Definitions To The Medicaid Fairness Act To Ensure That All Rule Enforcement Actions Are Appealable. | .Johnson | Neutral | Neutral |
| HB1401 | To Include Assisted Living Facility Services Within The Medicaid Provider-led Organized Care Act. | Pilkington | Introduced | Watching |
Mental Health
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status | DRA Stance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB1169 | To Clarify The Admission Criteria For An Involuntary Commitment To Include A Person Who Is In A Mental Condition As A Result Of A Medical Condition. | Johnson | Introduced | Neutral |
| HB1179 | To Create Child And Adolescent Mental Health Screening Programs In Schools And Childcare Facilities For Children From Birth To Nineteen Years Of Age. | Vaught | Committee Referral | Support |
| HB1275 | To Prohibit Prior Authorizations For Healthcare Services Provided For Treatment Of A Mental Health Crisis. | Cavenaugh | Introduced | Support |
| HB1290 | To Mandate Coverage For Mental Health Wellness Examinations; And To Establish The Arkansas Support Of Mental Health Wellness Examinations Act. | Johnson | Introduced | Support |
Voting Rights
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status | DRA Stance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB210 | To Require The Signer To Read The Ballot Title Of The Petition In The Presence Of A Canvasser; And To Declare An Emergency. | Hammer | Engrossed | Oppose |
| HB1035 | To Create The Online Voter Registration Act Of 2025; To Allow Online Voter Registration; To Amend Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51; And To Amend The Duties Of The Secretary Of State. | Collins | Committee Referral | Support |
| HB1036 | To Amend The Law Concerning Voter Registration; To Allow Voter Registration During Early Voting And On Election Day; And To Amend Provisions Of Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51. | Collins | Committee Referral | Support |
| HB1039 | To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning Absentee Ballots; And To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning Elections. | Collins | Committee Referral | Support |
| HB1064 | To Amend The Law Concerning Absentee Voting; And To Allow Persons Over Sixty-five Years Of Age To Vote By Absentee Ballot. | Whitaker | Committee Referral | Support |