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Committee approves permissive 'firefighters' bill of rights' to guide municipal disciplinary procedures
Summary
House Bill 1808 would create a permissive framework modeled on police 'bill of rights' protections for municipal fire departments; the committee adopted an amendment adding a co‑sponsor and passed the bill by voice vote.
Senator Clark Tucker presented House Bill 1808, which creates a permissive framework described as a firefighters’ bill of rights that municipalities may adopt to guide internal disciplinary investigations and proceedings.
Tucker said the bill is permissive—municipalities may choose to adopt the framework. Matthew Stellings of the Arkansas Professional Firefighters provided an overview, saying the measure is aimed primarily at internal municipal investigations (not external criminal matters) and offers guidance on investigative procedures and certain employment rights, including First Amendment protections when firefighters are off duty. Stellings said larger departments commonly follow similar procedures, while smaller departments may use the framework as guidance.
The committee adopted an amendment to add Representative Wade Andrews as a co‑sponsor and then passed the bill by voice vote. There was no recorded opposition in committee.
Sponsor Tucker closed by asking for the committee’s favorable vote; the committee passed the bill, which advances to the next Senate stage for further consideration.
