Signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that repeals affirmative action policies and prohibits discrimination by public entities based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in Arkansas.

Highlights:

• Repeals affirmative action policies and prohibits discrimination by public entities based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in Arkansas (Sec. 2-23).

• Repeals and eliminates minority recruitment and retention plans in state and local governments, public school districts, and colleges or universities (Sec. 2-23).

• Establishes the following exceptions including for (Sec. 2-23):

• Jobs requesting sex-related considerations;

• Existing court orders, or consent decrees; and 

• Actions are required to maintain eligibility for federal programs to avoid losing federal funding.

• Specifies that violations shall result in a Class A misdemeanor charge or charges, and individuals may also file a civil action lawsuit in circuit courts for injunctive relief, attorney's fees, and court costs (Sec. 2-23).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 23).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that repeals affirmative action policies and prohibits discrimination by public entities based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in Arkansas.

Highlights:

• Repeals affirmative action policies and prohibits discrimination by public entities based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in Arkansas (Sec. 2-23).

• Repeals and eliminates minority recruitment and retention plans in state and local governments, public school districts, and colleges or universities (Sec. 2-23).

• Establishes the following exceptions including for (Sec. 2-23):

• Jobs requesting sex-related considerations;

• Existing court orders, or consent decrees; and 

• Actions are required to maintain eligibility for federal programs to avoid losing federal funding.

• Specifies that violations shall result in a Class A misdemeanor charge or charges, and individuals may also file a civil action lawsuit in circuit courts for injunctive relief, attorney's fees, and court costs (Sec. 2-23).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 23).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that repeals affirmative action policies and prohibits discrimination by public entities based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in Arkansas.

Highlights:

• Repeals affirmative action policies and prohibits discrimination by public entities based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in Arkansas (Sec. 2-23).

• Repeals and eliminates minority recruitment and retention plans in state and local governments, public school districts, and colleges or universities (Sec. 2-23).

• Establishes the following exceptions including for (Sec. 2-23):

• Jobs requesting sex-related considerations;

• Existing court orders, or consent decrees; and 

• Actions are required to maintain eligibility for federal programs to avoid losing federal funding.

• Specifies that violations shall result in a Class A misdemeanor charge or charges, and individuals may also file a civil action lawsuit in circuit courts for injunctive relief, attorney's fees, and court costs (Sec. 2-23).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 23).

Full Bill Text