The proposed constitutional amendment in Arkansas seeks to establish an implied warranty of habitability, marking a significant advancement in tenant protections within the state, which currently lacks such provisions. The amendment aims to ensure that landlords are responsible for maintaining safe and habitable living conditions, prohibits the criminalization of nonpayment of rent, and protects tenants from retaliation for asserting their rights. It outlines specific landlord responsibilities, including maintaining essential services and disclosing property conditions before rental agreements, while also providing tenants with remedies for landlord noncompliance, such as withholding rent or terminating agreements.

Furthermore, the resolution addresses illegal eviction practices by prohibiting landlords from changing locks, interrupting essential utilities, or denying access to a tenant's personal property without judicial process. It establishes penalties for violations, allowing tenants to recover possession of their premises and compensation equivalent to three months' rent if their rights are infringed upon. The proposed amendments are set to take effect on January 1, 2025, and will be presented to voters under the title "An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to Create an Implied Warranty of Habitability and to Provide Protections for Arkansas Tenants."