On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee advanced several pieces of legislation including HB1437. This bill requires mandated reporters to notify law enforcement if he or she has a good faith belief that there is a threat to the safety of students or school employees. This legislation would make the failure to notify a Class A misdemeanor. The bill identifies several professions as mandated reporters including clergy, physicians, and teachers.
The committee also advanced HB1438. This legislation makes repeat offenses of voyeurism and video voyeurism a Class C felony.
The House Education Committee advanced HB1413 which states private school and home school students who enroll in an endorsed concurrent enrollment course in a public school should not be charged for the course unless the district also charges public school students.
The House Public Transportation Committee advanced HB1304 which amends the Arkansas Speed Trap Law. This bill requires Legislative Audit to include information to determine if a municipality is potentially abusing police power in the agency’s routine audit reports.
The House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee advanced SB298. This bill seeks to lower unemployment taxes paid for by employers. The bill outlines a sliding scale based on the unemployment rate.
The House passed SB161. This bill concerns special license plates and certificates for persons with disabilities. It states the special license plate issued by the DFA should contain the international symbol of access and not display the word “disabled”.
The House also passed HB1496 which amends the requirement for an antique motor vehicle license plate from vehicles 25 years of age to vehicles 45 years of age or older.
The House will reconvene on Monday at 1:30pm.