Latest news with #ArkansasCode
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arkansas bill allowing for display of Ten Commandments in classrooms heads to governor's desk
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A bill in the Arkansas legislature that would allow for the display of the Ten Commandments in public places, such as school classrooms, is headed to the governor's desk for her signature. Senate Bill 433, sponsored by Sen. Jim Dotson (R-Bentonville) and Rep. Alyssa Brown (R-Heber Springs), would allow for a copy of the Ten Commandments to be posted in visible places in classrooms alongside copies of the national motto, 'In God We Trust'. The bill was filed on March 11. SB433 passed the Senate by a 27-4 vote on March 19 and the House by a 71-20 vote on April 7. Current Arkansas Code § 1-4-133 allows for the 'In God We Trust' to be posted and displayed if funds are available. 'The copies or posters authorized under this section shall either be donated or shall be purchased solely with funds made available through voluntary contributions to the local school boards, local building governing entity, or the Building Authority Division,' Arkansas code says. Multi-million funding allocation bill for Franklin County prison fails in Arkansas legislature for fourth time The bill says the Ten Commandments must be on a 'durable poster or framed copy' and at least 16″ by 20″. It continues, saying that if a copy of the Ten Commandments does not follow the requirements, an institution can replace it with one that does meet the criteria. Similar bills have been filed in Oklahoma and Louisiana in recent years. Sen. Jim Olsen (R-Roland) has filed two bills in the last two legislative sessions that would require the Ten Commandments in Oklahoma classrooms. His 2024 version made it to the Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee but wasn't picked up on the agenda and was effectively killed by former committee chair Rep. Mark McBride (R-Moore), according to Nexstar's KFOR. The 2025 version has had no updates in the Oklahoma legislature since Feb. 4. In Louisiana, a law that would have required the displaying of the Ten Commandments in classrooms was deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge in November 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New bill could alter four-day school weeks for Arkansas schools
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A newly filed bill in the Arkansas legislature could impact schools in the Natural State currently operating under four-day school weeks. House Bill 1864 was filed on March 19 and sponsored by Rep. Wade Andrews (R-Camden) and Sen. Jane English (R-North Little Rock). The title of the bill is 'To amend provisions of the Arkansas Code to improve efficiency in student instruction; and to create a standardized flexible school calendar system for public schools.' The bill would require school boards for public and charter schools to adopt a school calendar with a minimum of 178 on-site, in-person instruction days and 1,068 hours of instruction. Under current state law, schools can submit a request for an alternative calendar and use 1,068 hours of instruction instead of 178 days. 126 schools in 47 districts in the state are operating on four-day school weeks for the 2024-25 school year, up from 90 in the 2023-24 school year. Four districts in Northwest Arkansas — Greenland, Lincoln, Decatur and Huntsville — have adopted four-day school weeks in recent years. If the bill were to become law, districts trying to keep a four-day school week while following the mandate would have classes in session for 44 weeks, making summer vacation much shorter. NWA organizations gather to discuss effects of funding cuts Starting with the 2026-27 school year, the first day of school for students would be on or after July 1, and the last day could not be after June 30 if the bill passed. School calendars would have to include at least 30 make-up hours for snow days, in addition to the required days of instruction to be used if school is canceled due to exceptional circumstances, such as inclement weather. KNWA/FOX24 spoke with Lincoln Schools in December 2023, following the district's first semester operating under a four-day school week. District leaders said at the time that students' overall attendance rate was up 81 percent from the same period in 2022 with the change. The bill has been referred to the House Education Committee. It is on the committee's agenda for their April 1 meeting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arkansas bill would allow for displaying of Ten Commandments in classrooms
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A newly filed bill in the Arkansas legislature would allow for the display of the Ten Commandments in school classrooms. Senate Bill 433, sponsored by Sen. Jim Dotson (R-Bentonville) and Rep. Alyssa Brown (R-Heber Springs), would allow for a copy of the Ten Commandments to be posted in visible places in classrooms alongside copies of the national motto, 'In God We Trust'. Current Arkansas Code § 1-4-133 allows for the 'In God We Trust' to be posted to be displayed if funds are available. Bill to eliminate daylight savings time in Arkansas fails in committee 'The copies or posters authorized under this section shall either be donated or shall be purchased solely with funds made available through voluntary contributions to the local school boards, local building governing entity, or the Building Authority Division,' Arkansas code says. The bill says the Ten Commandments must be on a 'durable poster or framed copy' and at least 16″ by 20″. It continues, saying that if a copy of the Ten Commandments does not follow the requirements, an institution can replace it with one that does meet the criteria. The bill has been referred to the State Agencies and Govermental Affairs Committee in the Senate. Arkansas legislature bills filed Tuesday include changes to the Arkansas Constitution, water bonds, human trafficking, more Similar bills have been filed in Oklahoma and Louisiana in recent years. Sen. Jim Olsen (R-Roland) has filed two bills in the last two legislative sessions that would require the Ten Commandments in Oklahoma classrooms. His 2024 version made it to the Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee but wasn't picked up on the agenda and was effectively killed by former committee chair Rep. Mark McBride (R-Moore), according to Nexstar's KFOR. The 2025 version has had no updates in the Oklahoma legislature since Feb. 4. In Louisiana, a law that would have required the displaying of the Ten Commandments in classrooms was deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge in November 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Proposed bill could limit insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A proposed bill could eliminate coverage mandates for mental health and substance abuse treatments under employer-provided insurance in Arkansas. HB 1420 was introduced in the Arkansas House on Feb. 5 by State Rep. Trey Steimel (R-Pocahontas) and co-sponsored by State Rep. Justin Boyd (R-Fort Smith). The bill would repeal requirements for insurers to cover drug, alcohol and mental health treatments, as well as certain rehabilitation services. It would also end funding for the Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool (CHIP) and reduce state oversight of mental health coverage. If HB1420 passes, insurance providers would no longer be required to offer or make alcohol or drug dependency treatments under employer-provided insurance. Currently, Arkansas Code § 23-79-139 requires insurers, hospitals, medical service corporations, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for the treatment of alcohol and drug dependency. If repealed, it would: Remove mandated coverage for services under the Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool (CHIP). Eliminate state-established requirements for the coverage of hospital care and prescription drugs. Discontinue funding for the Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool (CHIP). End enrollment procedures and eligibility criteria for CHIP. Terminate the requirement for the state to provide access to CHIP for eligible individuals. Free school breakfast bill advances in Arkansas legislature CHIP (Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool) in Arkansas provides health insurance for people with pre-existing conditions who have been uninsured for at least six months. It operates alongside the federal Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) and is funded by federal money. The program offers lower premiums and is available to about 2,500 people in the state. CHIP in Arkansas is funded through premium taxes and assessments levied on insurance providers. Arkansas Code § 23-86-113 currently mandates minimum mental health benefits for group accident and health insurance policies or subscriber's contracts. If repealed: Remove the requirement for group insurance policies to provide inpatient, partial hospitalization or outpatient benefits for mental illness. Eliminate the obligation for insurers to cover services from hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, outpatient psychiatric centers, physicians, psychologists or community mental health centers for mental illness. Repeal rules preventing insurers from imposing limits on deductibles, lifetime maximum payments or payment limits for smaller employers (50 or fewer employees). Remove restrictions on the disclosure of mental health information without written consent, except in certain circumstances such as litigation, reinsurance or underwriting. Eliminate the requirement for insurers to provide more extensive mental health coverage than the minimum required. Repeal the mandate for insurers to offer coverage for services rendered by licensed professional counselors in employer-provided insurance. Additional Arkansas constitutional amendments filed in legislature Arkansas Code § 23-99-508 currently allows healthcare insurers to provide optional coverage for health services used in the treatment of mental illnesses. If repealed, it would: Remove provisions allowing insurers to cover services like intensive case management, community residential treatment programs, or social rehabilitation programs. Repeal the allowance for healthcare insurers to provide coverage for physical rehabilitation or durable medical equipment not generally used in the treatment of serious mental illnesses. Eliminate the provision permitting healthcare insurers to use common utilization management protocols, such as preadmission screening or prior authorization, for mental illness services. Remove the option for healthcare insurers to comply with the terms of this subchapter for educational remediation regarding mental illness treatment. Under MHPAEA, insurers must provide mental health and substance use disorder benefits on par with medical benefits, with no more restrictive financial or treatment limits. They must also document non-quantitative treatment limitations. The Affordable Care Act mandates these services as essential benefits in individual and small-group plans. Read the full proposed bill below: FTPDocumentDownload The bill's status is 'Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on INSURANCE & COMMERCE- HOUSE' as of Feb. 12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
