The resolution proposes an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution aimed at fully abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude in the state. Currently, Article 2, Section 27 of the Arkansas Constitution allows for these practices as a punishment for crime. The amendment seeks to repeal this exception, reflecting the moral and legal values of Arkansas citizens and emphasizing the importance of compensating prisoners for their labor to facilitate their reintegration into society.
If approved by a majority of voters in the next general election, the amendment will remove the allowance for slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment, thereby reinforcing the state's commitment to human rights. The amendment is set to take effect on January 1, 2025, and will be presented to voters under the title "A Constitutional Amendment to Repeal the Exception to the Prohibition of Slavery and Involuntary Servitude."