House approves ‘Eli’s Law’ to require audio recording devices in public school locker rooms
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Summary
The Arkansas House passed House Bill 18‑66, known as ‘Eli’s Law,’ requiring public schools to install audio recording devices in locker rooms and dressing rooms by the 2027‑28 school year, with rules for access, retention and funding options discussed.
The Arkansas House passed House Bill 18‑66, “Eli’s Law,” on a 60‑12‑16 vote after extended floor debate. The bill requires each public school to install audio recording devices in each locker room and dressing room on campus by the 2027‑28 school year, establishes notice and limited access rules, and sets retention periods for recordings.
Representative Brooks, the bill sponsor, described the measure as a response to recent cases of sexual assault in school locker rooms and said the devices are intended to deter abuse and help investigations. Brooks said the bill would require conspicuous notice that recording is occurring, restrict access to recordings to administrators for specific allegations (or a parent/guardian request in certain cases), and require retention for a minimum of 90 days but no longer than one year.
Representative Brooks and other proponents pointed to a small Arkansas district that installed devices voluntarily. According to testimony on the floor, White County Central paid about $1,200 per device and roughly $250 annually for storage; the superintendent there reported fewer incidents and no privacy complaints after installation. The sponsor said the 2027‑28 implementation date allows time to pursue grant funding and potential state appropriation in a future session.
Opponents raised privacy and procedural concerns. Representative Duffield and Representative Steele questioned whether devices would capture private conversations, whether school administrators could access recordings without adequate safeguards, and whether the requirement might create unintended harms. Representative Brooks said recordings would not be publicly available and access would be limited to circumstances involving allegations or investigatory need.
The House adopted the bill with a recorded vote of 60 yays, 12 nays and 16 present. The measure sets the 2027‑28 school year as the compliance deadline and directs districts to conspicuously post notice where recordings occur; funding mechanisms were discussed but no state appropriation was attached in the bill.
