[{"_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",6142609,"mediaKeyId","5556816-0cc14c4118d6d98714e25e38d83dabe8","parentId",5556816,"title","Legislators refer ISP to educate students and employers on Arkansas child labor rules","audioSeconds",187,"startMs",2875000,"endMs",3062000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556816-0cc14c4118d6d98714e25e38d83dabe8&start=2875&end=3062","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556816-0cc14c4118d6d98714e25e38d83dabe8/thumbnail_2875000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6142609/Arkansas/Legislators-refer-ISP-to-educate-students-and-employers-on-Arkansas-child-labor-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142609-8e2bdca8caad49da9926ecc51d5cdcb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770518122&Signature=c3Ds3DYfyVSOFqhtZHw9xjKULR5meoJIYwN-MPufKvtZkII0zpwN1XXF3uPUCZl1HRCfaC5MRftPG2rqn28ssg7LYINoA89GYmrkVoGpouCA1ywOpEVKTrcHIkoNuoHuwhsF8HiVjGFbkDj34AEZxEMKgeVuwddwCI74~1NClKUFwhtvXY9WtaSCZHs2rkp~OHT728ReQOmuizNgyG91OZq4PKa2d-s5L-MscH5q5CNke~YRXKFCUlR9vX0hh1H18SV88z6mZTAvjI-QjTLEGq82~~41IWad5R0OJ-U64GMAhFqCrwd-2zi76z1vfVbot9umOM59AiYKledWaiuTGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas State Legislature","date","2025-07-28T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Rose presented an interim study proposal on behalf of Representative Gramlich that would emphasize education — not just enforcement — to reduce child-labor violations. The sponsor said the proposal contains two primary components: teach students the laws covering child labor and provide educational remedies for employers who mistakenly break the law.

Why it matters: the ISP aims to balance student work opportunities with safety and school attendance by ensuring students and employers understand statutory limits and responsibilities.

Rose said the proposal focuses on “educating those who make mistakes, not those who are serial or egregious offenders.” The proposal would direct the Labor Subcommittee during the interim to gather data and consider program designs that prioritize education and compliance over immediate penalties for first-time or minor violations.

A senator on the panel suggested the interim study should gather data from the Department of Education about seniors who take reduced schedules to work and whether the students are actually participating in work programs or are otherwise unaccounted for. Representative Rose agreed that such data would be useful for evaluating work-study participation and school attendance.

Action taken: the committee referred the ISP to the Labor Subcommittee for interim hearings; no statutory changes were made at the meeting.

Next steps: the Labor Subcommittee will schedule hearings during the interim to collect testimony from education officials, employers and other stakeholders and to develop recommendations for the next legislative session.

Less critical detail: sponsors emphasized the ISP is intended to help students learn responsibility through work while ensuring schools and state agencies can track participation and keep children safe.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Joint Jul 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives moved an interim study proposal that would create educational interventions for students and businesses to reduce child-labor violations; the committee transferred the ISP to the Labor Subcommittee for interim work.","taxTitle","2025 Legislative Meetings, Arkansas","taxId",78622,"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},6142614,"Senator Peyton asks interim study on workers’ compensation; proposal transferred to labor subcommittee",267,2597000,2864000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556816-0cc14c4118d6d98714e25e38d83dabe8&start=2597&end=2864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556816-0cc14c4118d6d98714e25e38d83dabe8/thumbnail_2597000.jpg","/articles/6142614/Arkansas/Senator-Peyton-asks-interim-study-on-workers-compensation-proposal-transferred-to-labor-subcommittee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142614-e7d2849dcc9dcfaae5ac18c6798e93e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770518122&Signature=OJh9WjN01nGHjihuPxqT9Rm6cp1svp7MVYBOtv1d2WBaTRGqCOqzq3M3I2NaUp6kSQ8JPW9GpVGMnrec7ppezSv4AtgeeH28h6kNo8mr7~LFKG-6hc7WnC7j7p2xQVQkiqNloYbIKxQXilbpugRSSZd8K0hVIXSLrgZb-59A5q5bzSBtTZ6Q-PwuQLcXhYeq~R1qlYUS95uKw1Po4Qc7hLxiebQCqQzxUZGtpJ6ml1RfaauZerfXgAjQUT-POQUYxs0KgBHLJQQTv3mNIcFGJI6Nib0a8OGdmtoS45mdDMRMW3~lmr0htuRrOKFNNmMKIH9vNwEWCYc-6C32PlXmfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Peyton asked the committee to transfer five interim study proposals that would examine changes to Arkansas workers’ compensation law, saying the topic generated vigorous debate in the Senate and that stakeholders need a joint House–Senate forum to find common ground.

Why it matters: proponents and opponents disagree about how proposed changes would affect insurance rates, benefit calculations and the system’s complexity. Peyton cited an individual constituent case to illustrate how existing benefit calculations can leave seriously injured workers with significant financial hardship.

Peyton told the panel that his interim request aims to bring employers, insurers, lawyers and injured-worker advocates together during the interim: “As a committee, I’m asking that we interim study under the labor and environment subcommittee so we can let the stakeholders come and explain these nuances to you,” he said.

Committee members did not debate the underlying bills on the floor; instead the chair announced that the five items would be transferred to the Labor Subcommittee. The transfer was made without objection and will allow sponsors and stakeholders to testify and attempt to craft compromise language before a formal bill is filed.

What was decided: the five workers’ compensation interim study requests were referred to the Labor Subcommittee for further hearings and stakeholder input. No legislative changes were adopted at the meeting.

Less critical detail: Peyton said Arkansas workers’ compensation rules are complex and referenced a constituent story in which a worker earning about $100,000 a year suffered a serious on-the-job crushing injury and the family’s benefits and medical costs left them effectively bankrupt, illustrating the human stakes in technical statutory language.

Next steps: the sponsor and the committee will schedule subcommittee meetings during the interim to gather testimony, examine statute and consider draft reforms.","Senator Peyton presented five interim study requests aimed at modifying Arkansas workers’ compensation; the committee agreed to transfer the proposals to the Labor Subcommittee for stakeholder hearings and further work.",{"_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},6142620,"Arkansas workforce leaders brief legislators on WIOA funding, possible federal shift to ‘Make America Skilled Again’",2276,294000,2570000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5556816-0cc14c4118d6d98714e25e38d83dabe8&start=294&end=2570","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5556816-0cc14c4118d6d98714e25e38d83dabe8/thumbnail_294000.jpg","/articles/6142620/Arkansas/Arkansas-workforce-leaders-brief-legislators-on-WIOA-funding-possible-federal-shift-to-Make-America-Skilled-Again","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142620-5aeeaca4b64cc22a05bc3f71785b8a15/orig.mp4?Expires=1770518122&Signature=LyOxXlzlecFS0SEeKaezLNdHlh0oQvM1iR7zH8hSxF0o5rwgnAFXYjwMsPLyE7Mmmh1QtX0ucdbqRso8OuIdGAXg2yetS9GzTR8fWgI1-QXHOuoUOwT33QfIwjIAi8COHf4ml4VwC2PbITEX7uCQrFFSljiwyqFUmU2taVi7lka19nMffqiBAN26XyxwzmmD8gfqcBHP7521DuBEb5Chh1kGHdLGkEi4T83kvwxiYNssso5dUvtST5fPB2qBCnEysqFD3vAJ0Lh8mVZbFLOEs7HXIrO30th9yvd4VTevf8punTgP8VzlwKP811YnEFm5XHUDwcLoyLgxMilW~5cXMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cody Waites, executive director of Arkansas Workforce Connections, and Eddie Thomas, director of the Office of Employment and Training at the Arkansas Department of Commerce, told members of a legislative committee that projected federal workforce funds for program year 2025 are expected to rise after a multi-year decline and that federal proposals could alter how the state delivers services.

The presentation Thursday described the current Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act structure in Arkansas, how funds flow from the U.S. Department of Labor through the governor and state workforce board to 10 local workforce development areas, and the state’s 23 physical workforce centers (branded nationally as American Job Centers). Waites and Thomas said the change would affect training, wraparound supports and reporting.

Why it matters: federal reauthorization could consolidate multiple grant programs into a single block grant, shifting reporting, service design and local funding flexibility and imposing a 10% minimum for registered-apprenticeship expansion. That could change how local areas target funds for youth, adults and dislocated workers and how the state monitors compliance and outcomes.

Waites described recent internal reorganization at the Department of Commerce that moved several workforce-related divisions under Arkansas Workforce Connections, including the Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions Group and the business resource division, to centralize strategy and employer engagement. Thomas said program delivery remains mixed between comprehensive centers, affiliate sites and virtual services to reach rural areas.

Thomas explained the current federal-to-local flow: “Funds start at the United States Department of Labor, flow down to [the] governor, who then appoints [the] Arkansas Workforce Development Board, who has the duties and responsibility of the vision and oversight for the workforce development system,” and then to the state workforce agency and local chief elected officials. He and Waites said the system’s complexity sometimes creates administrative burden.

State officials showed participant counts from program years 2021–2024 and said some large aggregate figures reflect self-service activity (people using online job-search tools) rather than in-office services; staff are working to disaggregate those counts. Waites said the program-year 2025 allocation for Arkansas is projected at about $16.2 million, after several years of declining allocations at the federal-formula level. He said local areas use funds for three primary buckets: training costs, supportive (“wraparound”) services — such as childcare and transportation assistance — and administrative costs for local operation.

On the federal proposal commonly called “Make America Skilled Again,” Waites summarized the model his office is tracking: a consolidation of roughly a dozen federal programs into one block grant. He said that, if enacted, local areas would receive a single pool of funds rather than separate youth, adult and dislocated-worker buckets and that the federal proposal includes a requirement that at least 10% of those consolidated funds be used for registered-apprenticeship expansion. “WIOA funds moving forward or Make America Skilled Again funds would have to have a minimum of 10% allocated toward registered-apprenticeship expansion,” Waites said.

Legislators asked about specific program areas. Representative Anthony Richardson asked whether funding goes to prison reentry programs; Thomas said Arkansas Workforce Connections partners with correctional agencies but that the WIOA pool itself does not directly pay the Department of Corrections (DOC). “We have provided funding in the past, not necessarily out of this money,” Waites added, citing prior partnerships using TANF funds and other grants for CDL training for incarcerated individuals.

Senator Love asked whether the projected rise to about $16.2 million represents a break in the recent downward trend; officials confirmed it is an uptick tied to the federal allocation formula. Representative Bentley and others asked about outcomes tracking; Thomas said federal performance measures include second-quarter and fourth-quarter employment earnings after exit and measurable skills gains, and the state is working on dashboards to provide more real-time outcome data.

Officials also highlighted local service changes: a reduction in the number of physical centers over time, increased virtual services, mobile units that visit communities and a Connect Employment Services hotline launched in September to link callers to local boards and partners such as Goodwill and community action agencies.

What was not decided: no formal votes were taken. Waites and Thomas said the state is reviewing internal WIOA policies, working with the U.S. Department of Labor and peer states, and continuing conversations with the Department of Human Services on possible work requirements and coordination should federal or state rules change.

The presentation concluded with an offer to provide additional data on sector-specific training (for example, nursing, CDL and manufacturing apprenticeships) and on local center coverage and mobile-unit schedules.

Officials said they will continue stakeholder conversations and monitor federal reauthorization developments.

Less critical detail: presenters noted a reduction in overdue monitoring reports from 30-plus to two after internal work with local areas and auditors; they also said many participants counted in statewide totals are self-service users accessing online job tools rather than in-person services.","State workforce officials told an Arkansas legislative committee that projected WIOA funds for program year 2025 are rising after several years of decline, described how current WIOA service delivery operates in Arkansas, and outlined potential impacts if Congress consolidates programs under the proposed “Make America Skilled Again” model.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Legislators refer ISP to educate students and employers on Arkansas child labor rules

Senator Peyton asks interim study on workers’ compensation; proposal transferred to labor subcommittee

Arkansas workforce leaders brief legislators on WIOA funding, possible federal shift to ‘Make America Skilled Again’