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Senate committee hears bill to require K–12 anti‑Semitism handling in school policies; lawmakers debate scope
Summary
Senate Bill 352 would require Arkansas schools to treat antisemitic harassment and discrimination consistent with other protected classes; witnesses debated whether a targeted definition is redundant, overly broad for campus speech, or a needed, specific response to rising antisemitic incidents.
Senator Matt Stone presented Senate Bill 352 to the Senate Education Committee, proposing that K–12 school policies treat antisemitic harassment and discrimination the same way they treat other forms of discrimination prohibited by state or federal law.
Why it matters: Sponsors said the bill clarifies how schools must address antisemitism within existing nondiscrimination frameworks. Supporters argued that a specific statement and definition will help schools identify and respond to antisemitic conduct. Critics warned the bill’s adopted definition could sweep in constitutionally protected speech or be redundant with existing law.
The sponsor told the committee the amended language makes school campus treatment of antisemitism consistent with other forms of prohibited discrimination. "This is just to bring parity," he said, arguing the bill is inclusive. The hearing drew testimony from national advocates: Gabriel Grossman said he supported codifying an antisemitism definition in school policy and noted Arkansas already adopted a statutory definition codified at Arkansas Code 16-1-23-50; he said rising national antisemitic incidents justified specific legislative attention.
Opponents included Josh Silverstein, who testified in his individual capacity as a law professor and said the bill’s definition is "too broad and sweeps in protected constitutional speech and activity." Silverstein urged caution about applying the definition to campus speech. Robert Steinbach, another law professor testifying for the bill, said the measure aligns K–12 policy with actions taken at the federal level and addresses discrimination without creating preferences.
Committee members debated whether the bill singles out a particular group. Senator Reginald Murdock raised concerns about the specificity of listing a single group in statute; supporters responded that the bill’s text also requires schools to treat antisemitic conduct "in the same manner as any other form of discrimination prohibited by state or federal law." Several senators asked whether the statute duplicated existing law; witnesses noted Arkansas already has statute text addressing antisemitism and that this bill applies that standard directly to school policies and campus procedures.
No final committee vote on Senate Bill 352 is recorded in the transcript; the bill was discussed at length and proponents and opponents were heard. The committee took testimony from experts and community advocates and left the matter open for further consideration.
