[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6121292,"mediaKeyId","2703222-14b4e0fb12bc7625ef8fb842e75d9a0f","parentId",2703222,"title","Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Disability Rights Arkansas to Report to Lawmakers; DRA Says FOIA Mandate Would Harm Clients","audioSeconds",876,"startMs",1892000,"endMs",2768000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703222-14b4e0fb12bc7625ef8fb842e75d9a0f&start=1892&end=2768","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703222-14b4e0fb12bc7625ef8fb842e75d9a0f/thumbnail_1892000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6121292/Arkansas/Legislature-Passes-Bill-Requiring-Disability-Rights-Arkansas-to-Report-to-Lawmakers-DRA-Says-FOIA-Mandate-Would-Harm-Clients","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121292-44297b4850db5018e4d27e10871b7f93/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156234&Signature=KmIIcXUI-0PmzO0302YCkhaZy5jOD~BcBijPfIGm2gqEq0qieylkB32FNT~LNURWZIVxUn6poYYQL3KqWw5u0vJLIengh9aCXsQHq7PCxk5u5k9zk3094bzqJQeKhUdTh0AEZdq4XpvVoG0689z6nEcVdtJIjQ8jiKED9VR22wDxKunh32ectWbX6fsX1~P0lRZlK8BAjjEMBdim4gJfuT0gceGCNVC7XgqmcEmSULDBCab0V0uB3MebvpzryE4YhfewYW8rtvuMh4y0xtZh~pEHxM4cR0Bky~JZzVuEvVkXAAksH71eD2t5sUzF0DpcsWyWWaEuzzYbhwuoj7Qnwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee voted to pass House Bill 13‑82 as amended on a voice vote after extended public testimony for and against the measure.

Representative Lademan, the bill sponsor, told the committee the bill would require Disability Rights Arkansas (DRA), the federally designated protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities in Arkansas, to report to the legislative hospital/Medicaid/developmental disabilities subcommittee of the Legislative Council and to appear twice a year when requested. Supporters — largely parents and guardians of human development center (HDC) residents — said the change would create state‑level oversight and a venue for families to raise concerns.

Julia Frost, a guardian who testified in favor, recounted the experience of her adult daughter Stephanie and said DRA had reviewed her case without the family’s knowledge: “I recall the shock I felt in 02/2014 when Disability Rights Arkansas … contacted us to explain that they had been reviewing Stephanie's case without our knowledge,” Frost said. Several parents said they want notice before DRA staff interview residents at HDC campuses.

Disability Rights Arkansas representatives opposed the bill as drafted. Thomas Nichols, DRA director of legal and advocacy services, said the organization would not oppose a limited requirement to provide the reports it already prepares for federal funders and to meet a legislative subcommittee twice a year, but said the bill “goes so far beyond that.” Nichols warned that subjecting DRA to the state’s Freedom of Information Act would undermine attorney‑client confidentiality and work product protections in individual cases and could force the nonprofit to spend scarce grant dollars on FOIA compliance rather than on representing clients. “Because we represent people sometimes who are going through very, very difficult things in their lives, that privilege of our communications … is very important,” Nichols said.

Reagan Stanford, DRA’s abuse and neglect managing attorney, told the committee abuse and neglect records include highly sensitive material and said litigation could be required to determine whether particular DRA documents are exempt — a costly process for a nonprofit with limited personnel. She said some of DRA’s federal funders had expressed concern about whether grant dollars could be used to respond to broad FOIA demands.

Multiple community providers and parents countered that DRA’s access to HDC residents and its public advocacy had, in their view, sometimes bypassed guardians and harmed families. Carol Sherman, a parent and guardian, said she supported HB 13‑82 to require the federally funded nonprofit to report to the legislature’s subcommittee.

Committee members discussed the FOIA provision at length. Some senators said they supported the bill’s requirement for reporting and meetings but were uneasy about imposing FOIA without further amendment; others said they would support the bill to give families a formal forum. After discussion, the committee passed the bill as amended to require periodic reports and to allow the subcommittee to request DRA appearances; the record shows a voice vote with the chair concluding, “Ayes have it. Congratulations. You've passed your bill.”

Ending: The bill will proceed with the committee’s recommendation; DRA said it will seek clarification from federal funders and explore legal options to protect privileged communications if the FOIA language remains part of future drafts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee Mar 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee voted to pass House Bill 13‑82 as amended after extensive public testimony from parents, providers and Disability Rights Arkansas about oversight and confidentiality.","taxTitle","PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas","taxId",21193,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6121297,"Senators Hear Pitch for Voluntary Portable‑benefits Accounts for Gig Workers; No Vote Taken",2857,3329000,472000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703222-14b4e0fb12bc7625ef8fb842e75d9a0f&start=3329&end=472","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703222-14b4e0fb12bc7625ef8fb842e75d9a0f/thumbnail_3329000.jpg","/articles/6121297/Arkansas/Senators-Hear-Pitch-for-Voluntary-Portablebenefits-Accounts-for-Gig-Workers-No-Vote-Taken","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121297-8a7a20f2ac0d1bec9c44fed495176c0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156234&Signature=eFIM~~lvHEZHkDoqK1vlaqGkw0raDwOleu0GvUmIkULC~RBfv5nCcTKiVeGtAsihkM4~RUaTH02jJ5fk0x0v2YPHbEwTLmo9b9EoCJ9weGeidh8XbwXBcyihPGrlkIZiHvlj7WedirWVHHlGoOoVx5AYvcz0v512NzglJFyS0Iuf1yniYTXCcH~QxybC5JGJuGd2eBax7wb9aywhdoD~2O9NJ-U6WiLu1kb7JMcSS5FWkHt9sl-sfo9oTPfCV7pdiflfwln0pMXIAEvD1jsRIsuFyLqPeMlVXlE4K7FSZ3CtyQfW~zMq3iRHjNiOnyuEVVdhstm3GGm-8QGp1dgopg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate committee members heard testimony supporting Senate Bill 235 on portable benefits for independent contractors and gig workers, but took no formal vote.

The bill would enable voluntary, bank‑based portable benefit accounts: instead of an employer giving a pay check directly to a worker, a hiring entity could, at the worker’s request, send some compensation directly to an account designated for health savings, retirement or other benefits. Senator Justin Boyd presented the measure and invited outside experts to explain how the change would operate.

Gabriella Hoffman of Independent Women Center for Economic Opportunity told the committee, “Independent Women Center for Economic Opportunity supports, Senate Bill 235, the creation of a voluntary portable benefits account,” and described freelancers’ interest in maintaining flexibility while securing benefits. Jonathan Wolfson, chief legal officer at Cicero Action, said the key legal point is choice: “the mere delivery of dollars that the worker wants into an account like this does not make them an employee.”

David Iglesias of the Libertas Institute described experience in Utah, where a private vendor (Stride Health) partnered with platforms and offered portable accounts; he said Utah’s pilot allowed workers to use accounts for emergency savings, time off and health expenses and reported few problems. Committee members asked whether the accounts would be state‑held or privately administered; Wolfson and Iglesias said accounts would be opened at banks or private providers and that the bill explicitly uses the word “voluntary” multiple times.

Committee members pressed on practical points: Senator Payton asked whether the state would be the fiduciary; the witnesses replied no, the bill would permit banks or private vendors to host accounts rather than making them state accounts. Other senators asked whether offering benefits in this way would create an employer‑employee relationship; witnesses reiterated that retaining worker choice is the bill’s safeguard.

No formal motion or second was recorded in the committee transcript; a senator noted, “Sir, your bill does not have a second motion.” With no second, the committee took no further action that day.

Supporters emphasized the proposal’s voluntary nature and pointed to out‑of‑state pilots. Opponents did not appear in the hearing record for this bill. The measure as presented would not create a state‑run program; it would make it clear under Arkansas law that certain routed payments into portable accounts need not convert independent contractors into employees.

The committee did not vote on Senate Bill 235 during this session; proponents said they would continue outreach and answer technical questions from lawmakers.

Ending: The committee kept the measure in discussion status; sponsors and witnesses said they would supply additional materials and examples from other states if the panel requests them.","Senate committee members heard testimony supporting Senate Bill 235 on portable benefits for independent contractors and gig workers, but took no formal vote.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6121288,"Committee Adopts Amendment to Workers’ Compensation Bill, Lowers Cap and Sends Measure Back With Vote",743,1082000,1825000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703222-14b4e0fb12bc7625ef8fb842e75d9a0f&start=1082&end=1825","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703222-14b4e0fb12bc7625ef8fb842e75d9a0f/thumbnail_1082000.jpg","/articles/6121288/Arkansas/Committee-Adopts-Amendment-to-Workers-Compensation-Bill-Lowers-Cap-and-Sends-Measure-Back-With-Vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121288-b12f5c1babaf89b4b84dc6be2274b36e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156234&Signature=Co7lBxEzYgDGJ4OtMG~4y3EqYjn0dkfxK5SLn47wiLo7HwRTL18FBU1r5Cod9hJvQgGZcRPxZ0yd~yUjBOtDPgEADrrH2EH85t8LFxp34hJvqwbn2641e5W2-YVtaWhRQI52OJnEAoxeUBqQzQBw6bC82Ie6SNU6vcEZ2V6DPoG8000KgY3cHb1Oy9bJg-NamLQ6oeCICPfGHwWBM8~5ou7VjwzvSIxJoRwQTFjwjXpPU~NKggkM57R92QtM~Sm65agkCFzvQSbqW~V0IZ82V46QSXBrcmvOyV5q0LKZYS64nnFQAwt74rS0qo3htGNUyKHvRZTvGQP3X6r55jX3cQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 285 that lowers a workers’ compensation cap and adjusts permanent partial disability calculations, and the committee later approved the bill as amended.

Senator presenting the bill said the amendment reduces a previously proposed cap from $200,000 to $100,000, establishes an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026 and changes a permanent partial disability formula to 75% of temporary total disability to limit cost increases to employers. After the amendment was offered, the committee adopted it by voice vote.

Several business and insurance representatives registered opposition or requested more time to review the amendment. Randy Zook of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce asked for additional review time and called for an opportunity to confer with experts. Carol Worley, chair of the legislative committee of the Arkansas Self‑Insured Association, testified the change would be “very detrimental to the employers in the state of Arkansas,” arguing that increased weekly rates and permanent disability settlements could materially raise costs for self‑insured employers. Worley provided a numerical example in the hearing transcript showing a higher weekly benefit from a prior average and estimated a large increase in settlement values for a 10% rating.

Kirk Kinnickram of McGriff Insurance and other insurers also expressed concerns about duplication of long‑term disability products and costs to employers. Employers who supported the amendment argued the change was modest and necessary to modernize the cap for current wages.

After discussion, a motion to pass the bill as amended was seconded and the committee recorded a roll call in which the chair announced, “Okay. 5 yeses. Congratulations. You've passed your bill as amended.” The transcript records the chair’s acknowledgment that the measure passed as amended.

Ending: The bill will move forward with the committee’s due‑pass recommendation; opponents asked for additional work on employer costs and requested stakeholder negotiation before further floor consideration.

","Senate Bill 285 was amended in the committee to lower a benefits cap, set an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026, and change a permanent partial disability formula; the committee adopted the amendment and then approved the bill as amended by recorded vote in committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Disability Rights Arkansas to Report to Lawmakers; DRA Says FOIA Mandate Would Harm Clients

Senators Hear Pitch for Voluntary Portable‑benefits Accounts for Gig Workers; No Vote Taken

Committee Adopts Amendment to Workers’ Compensation Bill, Lowers Cap and Sends Measure Back With Vote