House members began the 10th week of the 2021 Regular Session on Monday.
The House passed more than 30 bills Monday afternoon, including the following:
HB1470-This bill prohibits a juvenile who has been placed in a juvenile detention facility from being
placed in solitary confinement if the juvenile is pregnant, has had a baby in the previous 30 days, is breastfeeding, or suffering from postpartum depression.
It also prohibits adult inmates from restrictive housing for the same reasons.
SB170-This prohibits unlawful doxxing of a minor on social media. Doxxing is defined as publishing private or identifying information about a particular person on social media with a malicious purpose.
HB1589-This bill prohibits taxpayer resource transactions for abortions.
HB1548-This bill states that providers of personal care services should be paid at a rate that is consistent with efficiency, economy, and quality of care and is sufficient to enlist enough providers so that in-home care and services are available statewide. The bill also instructs the Arkansas Medicaid Program to conduct a review of the reimbursement rates for personal care if there is a change in the minimum wage.
HB1162-This bill amends the law concerning beneficiary deeds. It helps to create a pathway for Arkansans to protect their home if facing long-term care.
SB289-This bill states that a medical practitioner, healthcare institution, or healthcare payer has the right not to participate in a healthcare service that violates his, her or its conscience. "Conscience" is defined in the bill as religious, moral, ethical beliefs or principles.
SB301-This bill states that state agencies that fined a business during the public health emergency for a failure to comply with a rule, order, or directive to mitigate or prevent the spread of COVID-19 shall return the fines to the businesses.
House Bill 1487-This bill gives businesses and their employees immunity from lawsuits regarding exposure to COVID-19. The bill includes exceptions for willful, reckless, or intentional misconduct resulting in injury or damages and for Workers' compensation benefits.
SB225-This bill amends the additional fees required to register a hybrid vehicle. If enacted, the new fees for hybrid vehicles will be reduced from $100 to $50 starting January 1, 2022. Fees for electric vehicles will be $200, and the fees for a plug-in hybrid elective vehicle will be $100.
The House will convene on Thursday at 1 pm.