[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6121005,"mediaKeyId","2704498-5474210ab68b51f992fdd1b3fdb55f90","parentId",2704498,"title","House passes bill requiring public schools to inform students and staff of religious‑expression rights","audioSeconds",374,"startMs",5293000,"endMs",5667000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2704498-5474210ab68b51f992fdd1b3fdb55f90&start=5293&end=5667","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2704498-5474210ab68b51f992fdd1b3fdb55f90/thumbnail_5293000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6121005/Arkansas/House-passes-bill-requiring-public-schools-to-inform-students-and-staff-of-religiousexpression-rights","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121005-693baeb3f160efce067eb0ea06c3e6ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503161&Signature=IKC2M5e3lHY824Jv4AHIqVLqBnwWLwPtDkMX5In1-G65WKUmBZ30pcDEmeocyfGK4J6TSLej80dMI1Tba-BKSVQuEKQIXvz0vw1X0W50tz3pmbzveqfvOrRBME8Ppwpy6C1Ywn1fkPxYakbb9wx1iY5opcxOPMTQgoi6EVTjbDRcx~OnbfYLIvz6sZ~lKM98VxvifSWMPUC3BO2k3xNJ8-1~wkF7m8V1n-XH-ZzjzmSyx0KnN5GxoV0z-E3qYG0F6haj1XhAmUS3CRENQciQ45fMvTaqU30jG9CdCgrzMGlrHxGaoPPL-D29vdWGRwwfT1z5daS~frrbcRUoUns7cQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Arkansas House on March 18 approved Senate Bill 2-23, the Religious Rights at Public Schools Act of 2025, by a vote of 79 yays and 17 nays. Representative Brown presented the bill on the House floor and said it ‘‘does not create new rights, and it does not limit rights to these just listed,’’ describing the measure as an effort to clarify existing protections under the First Amendment.

Why it matters: The bill requires each public school to educate students and staff about religious‑expression freedoms they already possess. Supporters said the requirement provides clarity and prevents uncertainty or perceived silencing of students and teachers. The bill gives local districts flexibility to inform constituents via handbooks, online postings or policy manuals, and sponsors said it should not impose significant costs.

Floor exchange: Representative Brown said he received questions from students and teachers and that the bill simply clarifies existing law. Representative Richardson asked on the floor whether adding the requirement would impose costs on schools; Brown replied districts could post the information online or include it in existing handbooks to avoid expense.

Opponents raised broader questions about whether the bill should extend to private schools; Brown replied the bill applies to publicly funded schools. The Senate amendment adopted on the floor gave districts discretion in how to provide the information.

Outcome and next steps: With passage 79–17, the measure will return to the Senate as required or move forward in the enactment process. Sponsors said the Department of Education had no implementation objections and that the requirement should be administratively feasible.

Ending: The vote advances a bill intended to increase awareness of religious‑expression rights in public schools while leaving implementation choices to local districts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Convenes Mar 19, 2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 2-23, described by its sponsor as a clarification of existing First Amendment protections, passed the House 79–17. The bill requires public schools to inform students and staff at the start of the year how the law protects religious expression, while giving districts flexibility in how they provide that information.","taxTitle","House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas","taxId",16119,"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},6121010,"House approves bill to embed founding fathers’ religious and moral beliefs in secondary standards",853,3783000,4636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2704498-5474210ab68b51f992fdd1b3fdb55f90&start=3783&end=4636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2704498-5474210ab68b51f992fdd1b3fdb55f90/thumbnail_3783000.jpg","/articles/6121010/Arkansas/House-approves-bill-to-embed-founding-fathers-religious-and-moral-beliefs-in-secondary-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121010-4ac56eb0e5ee1869d9fa7ccdb57360a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503161&Signature=QWPyiqvE7U99sV10Ualg-NmvmYMabr0g60Hm75CNZq1gSX5caevg1zFLCGkvIIf5Eg0OfLDiVGlgjplGVdmWFoQ-XmEyXB~lYfkUhPJUfwmvLmDvENaQlodBvnsp5hAqtv5QWVgoh8pjmKgQC-8ZQZCKqaPJ7EuaGQWzKFBZ90f5A48iHWe60pcYpJ6RZMfdKl9EIcUgshuYnsNU5ptCFMF0TN6T0fssOJCmBIMGG3KOKIzFJnXTjQvYNdoPaBBw3gP0JpNZse2XObJN4U6PfphQ~n1jd2l5dZVI2Y0ThkRUpWBaNCuVEe6nalY6zrdXMeyRKSEVBjMT9tv1lg7q6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arkansas House on March 18 passed House Bill 17-05, which requires that existing academic standards for grades six through twelve include study and discussion of the religious beliefs and moral values of the founding fathers and how those beliefs related to the decisions they made. Representative Duke sponsored the bill; the final floor tally was 76 yays and 19 nays.

Why it matters: The measure directs the Arkansas Department of Education and local districts to embed material about the founders’ beliefs into standards and curriculum choices. Supporters said the change would improve historical document literacy and classroom reading practice; critics said mandating such study risks producing a subjective or skewed curriculum and could raise separation‑of‑church‑and‑state concerns.

Floor discussion: Representative Duke explained that the bill ‘‘embed[s] in [standards] from sixth through twelfth grade the teachers and the students will study, discuss, and the religious beliefs and moral values of our founding fathers and how related to the decisions they made.’’ He told the chamber the Department of Education (DESE) indicated it could incorporate the language and vet materials.

Representative McGruder, an educator, asked how the bill would affect test scores; Duke said more classroom reading and document study would support literacy. Representative Barnett spoke in opposition, saying the law could lead to subjective emphasis, might suppress full teaching of historical harms such as the Three‑Fifths Compromise, and risked ‘‘indoctrination.’’ Representative McKenzie and others said proponents do not seek to avoid difficult historical facts and urged teachers to engage students in deliberative discussion.

Outcome and next steps: The House passed the bill by 76–19. Representative Duke closed the debate asking for a ‘‘good vote.’’ The measure will proceed according to legislative process (sent to Senate for further action or concurrence as required).

Ending: The vote enacted a statutory direction for DESE and local districts to ensure the founders’ beliefs are part of secondary standards, prompting debate about objectivity and classroom implementation.","The House passed House Bill 17-05 requiring sixth through twelfth grade standards to include study of founding fathers’ religious and moral beliefs and how those beliefs related to their decisions. Supporters said it encourages document literacy; opponents warned of subjective curriculum and potential church‑state concerns.",{"_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},6121015,"Pregnancy Parking Act fails in House after extended floor debate",266,3533000,3799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2704498-5474210ab68b51f992fdd1b3fdb55f90&start=3533&end=3799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2704498-5474210ab68b51f992fdd1b3fdb55f90/thumbnail_3533000.jpg","/articles/6121015/Arkansas/Pregnancy-Parking-Act-fails-in-House-after-extended-floor-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121015-e2a97c7e2d06483e942e832f35fb4f28/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503161&Signature=QwB9uq5kkGWEK5bJligWOVbgXrEPdpGv3kZn2XNF-NwFIk0UBrOiIGUVL35YSvNTYxKrjPvSKGbm~unxpWXlEDZmNYUwMW5qEK4vw3ayJ13zrJR~X0LkwtEl1Czzh-OMZxvIMb0b~S~A~rDn6QJ92pk-boer1r2agzyrTLlm3o2Jxn~ynH2XwcvHRWHaTdWf1J66IlIxfd5OkKJwLepoDu5Ga4ztoYcR20Dz9pLMan6qkW~paIwNh9aK4whKIdeRWPUGFBoXQ3sCHeTWVqmdHUEN2RENs7DBDYBeTJ6B3RIYHVPxaiU3Z84iKtiNmZZRSP0yLTiEPHvExb6tGYY1Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Filkinson's proposal to create a temporary parking permit for pregnant and postpartum people — House Bill 17-70 — failed on the House floor on March 18, 2025, by a vote of 35 yeas, 39 nays and 10 present.

Why it mattered: The bill would have allowed a temporary handicap parking placard, administered by the Department of Finance and Administration, for people during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. Sponsor Representative Filkinson framed the measure as a ‘‘simple pro‑family, pro‑woman policy’’ intended to reduce mobility burdens after childbirth and during complicated pregnancies.

Floor debate and key points: Representative Filkinson said the proposal ‘‘is rooted in compassion, common sense, and commitment to supporting mothers in Arkansas’’ and emphasized postpartum recovery, including after C‑section. She said the Department of Finance and Administration would handle temporary permits.

Opponents raised practical and equity questions on the floor. Representative Steimel asked whether physicians already can provide temporary disability notes that produce similar access; Filkinson acknowledged that in ‘‘very severe cases’’ physicians can write notes but said the bill would expand eligibility and explicitly include postpartum needs. Representative Wooten asked how law enforcement would verify a placard; Filkinson said the department would issue a temporary placard as with existing handicap permits. Representative McClure pressed on whether the bill would require businesses to add parking spaces; Filkinson said no new spots would be required and that the bill uses existing parking.

Representative Torres questioned whether a person could obtain a permit soon after a positive pregnancy test; Filkinson said in practice most women do not seek the permit that early. Representative Long asked whether the measure duplicated accommodations already provided for some surgeries; Filkinson said issuing and duration would be at provider discretion but stressed the 12‑month postpartum coverage written into the bill. Representative Henley asked whether multiple permits could be issued for multiple births; Filkinson said no, only a single temporary permit per person.

Outcome and next steps: The clerk recorded the final tally as 35 yays, 39 nays and 10 present; the bill therefore failed on the floor and will not move forward from this session under the House’s action.

Ending: The failing vote concluded a longer-than-average floor exchange on a social‑policy measure that prompted questions about administrative mechanics, overlap with existing medical accommodations and effects on handicap parking availability.","Lawmakers rejected House Bill 17-70, which would have allowed temporary handicap parking permits during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. The measure failed 35–39 with 10 present after sponsors and opponents debated administration, scope and potential effects on existing handicap parking spaces.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":93,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6121020,"House at a glance: dozens of bills approved, key measures on public schools and public safety advance",1011,2788000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2704498-5474210ab68b51f992fdd1b3fdb55f90&start=2788&end=3799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2704498-5474210ab68b51f992fdd1b3fdb55f90/thumbnail_2788000.jpg","/articles/6121020/Arkansas/House-at-a-glance-dozens-of-bills-approved-key-measures-on-public-schools-and-public-safety-advance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121020-f541b61560d4b42c77eedec8b8364e6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503161&Signature=n4hnO5OhUt7rXg5MqQ6tfarJ5VBTHCGwF6-5v4oF3E7ARm1cRcLGGwSIB5ogw1vYTQADbwpB~eVN-s~cRF6d-yRRT5Kfc0Z4qHI5Dzhi712g6LNa7Mb6VxP7PepLA-AmL7zwZxSnSDbIfSmVJ2Iz6kUt3NrvMt5RmGzsbrj4lkp8DBNEQraNWSVXd6IPhhFM8JKzDNWxrBQ3IOkm8PyBPJclEvtUHHhm~vvBM-nv1HjbXL1AB1xFI3urCzgmMWNuw8uWz~p4YKJIDdasXCW~WedjvVbCxVM~KiexSV0LkVV26CUTVFmqOEvlB6fRyWlTTvL~TScniuOZ8t1qBZ~KSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arkansas House of Representatives on March 18, 2025, completed a packed floor day that produced dozens of final actions and concurrence votes on bills sent between the chambers. Lawmakers passed a series of measures affecting public safety benefits, school governance and standards, health program administration and other technical and policy changes.

Why it matters: The House’s votes move multiple items closer to becoming law or back to the Senate for final action. Several measures change eligibility or benefit rules for first responders and retirees, adjust how certain school matters are handled administratively, and clarify state program procedures. These are mostly targeted, state-level changes that affect agencies, local governments and specific worker and student populations.

Key votes (selected items and outcomes)
House Bill 17-34 (allow nurse practitioners to pronounce death and sign death certificates when authorized by a facility’s medical director): passed, 91 yays, 3 nays, 2 present. Representative Childress explained the bill as a rural-hospital measure to reduce delays when physicians must be pulled from other duties.

House Bill 12-93 (increase line-of-duty death benefit for certain public employees and extend coverage to highway department employees): passed, 93 yays, 1 nay. Representative Andrews said the change raises the benefit from $150,000 to $250,000.

House Bill 13-22 (extend line-of-duty death benefits for firefighters dying from covered occupational cancers, emergency clause included): passed, 96 yays, 1 nay, 1 present.

House Bill 13-27 (eligibility adjustments under the state and public school life and health insurance program): passed, 97 yays, 0 nay.

House Bill 13-13 (allow certain firefighter retirees to remain on municipal or county health plans until Medicare eligibility): passed, 97 yays, 0 nay.

House Bill 16-88 (clarify who may use certain dealer extra license plates): passed, 97 yays, 0 nay.

House Bill 16-97 (provisional positions and motor vehicle restrictions for state-supported higher education institutions; emergency clause): passed, 96 yays, 0 nay, 1 present.

House Bill 16-40 (ethical-guidelines-related definition changes for school administrators; conflict-of-interest waiver process): passed, 94 yays, 0 nay, 1 present.

House Bill 14-68 (28-day cure period for certain home-improvement claims for residential projects): passed, 96 yays, 0 nay, 1 present.

House Bill 16-19 (set administration fees under Medicaid for certain immunizations and monoclonal antibodies; civil immunity language included): passed (vote recorded as taken on the floor; clerk announced the bill passed).

House Bill 17-58 (technical update for hearing instrument dispensers to reflect federal rule changes): passed, 98 yays, 0 nay.

Senate Bill 2-23 (Religious Rights at Public Schools Act of 2025 — require public schools to inform students and staff of existing religious‑expression rights): passed, 79 yays, 17 nays.

Senate Bill 4-17 (technical higher-education corrections): passed, 82 yays, 11 nays, 1 present.

Senate Bill 1-35 (election procedure for unchanged school-district ad valorem millage when no contest would avoid opening separate polling places): passed, 81 yays, 5 nays, 10 present.

Senate Bill 4-13 (procedural clarification about school board oath-of-office filing): passed, 97 yays, 0 nays.

Senate Bill 2-79 (clarify statute-of-limitations applicability for the Division of Labor investigations and wage claims): passed, 97 yays, 0 nays.

Procedural and other floor actions: The House voted to reconsider the emergency clause on House Bill 17-13 and then passed the emergency clause on revote (the clerk recorded the revote numbers during the floor proceeding). The House also voted to expunge a prior vote on House Bill 13-65 after the parliamentarian identified a supermajority requirement for amending an initiated act; that expungement motion passed.

What’s next: Bills that required concurrence in the Senate were sent back to that chamber where noted. Measures that included emergency clauses or the governor’s signature requirements will follow statutory enactment timelines. Members and staff on the floor noted that budget holds must be released as the session’s schedule tightens.

Ending: The House adjourned until 1 p.m. the following day after announcing committee meeting times and scheduling details for budget work.","The Arkansas House of Representatives on March 18 approved a large package of bills covering public safety benefits, education adjustments, and health measures while rejecting one high-profile proposal to create temporary pregnancy parking permits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House passes bill requiring public schools to inform students and staff of religious‑expression rights

House approves bill to embed founding fathers’ religious and moral beliefs in secondary standards

Pregnancy Parking Act fails in House after extended floor debate

House at a glance: dozens of bills approved, key measures on public schools and public safety advance