The proposed bill seeks to eliminate discrimination and preferential treatment by the State of Arkansas and public entities based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. It introduces new legal language that clarifies the legislative intent to promote equality and outlines the responsibilities of public entities in this regard. The bill amends existing laws by changing references from "Equity" to "Equality" in relation to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division and the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, while also repealing provisions that mandated minority recruitment and retention plans in education, including affirmative action programs at state-supported colleges and universities.

Additionally, the bill modifies the Arkansas Geographical Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship Program by removing the term "Minority" from its title and eligibility criteria, thus broadening the program's scope to include all individuals seeking teaching roles. It establishes requirements for scholarship recipients to teach in areas with critical teacher shortages and mandates the creation of administrative rules by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the Division of Higher Education. The bill also introduces a prohibition against discrimination in state employment, public education, and procurement, with certain exceptions, and requires state agencies to develop compliance plans to ensure adherence to the new regulations, under the oversight of the Legislative Council.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB3 Original - 11-21-2024 08:06 AM: 3-4-223, 6-10-111, 6-15-202(f), 6-60-703(b), 6-61-121, 6-61-122, 6-63-103, 6-82-1501, 6-82-1502, 6-82-1503(a), 6-82-1503(c), 6-82-1503(e), 6-82-1504(a), 6-82-1505(a), 6-82-1506(a), 6-82-1506(h), 16-123-338(4), 21-3-101, 22-9-203(i)
Old version SB3 V2 - 1-21-2025 11:17 AM: 3-4-223, 6-10-111, 01-21-2025, 6-15-202(f), 6-60-703(b), 6-61-121, 6-61-122, 6-63-103, 6-82-1501, 6-82-1502, 6-82-1503(a), 6-82-1503(c), 6-82-1503(e), 6-82-1504(a), 6-82-1505(a), 6-82-1506(a), 6-82-1506(h), 16-123-338(4), 21-3-101, 22-9-203(i)
Old version SB3 V3 - 2-3-2025 09:31 AM: 3-4-223, 6-10-111, 02-03-2025, 6-15-202(f), 6-60-703(b), 6-61-121, 6-61-122, 6-63-103, 6-82-1501, 6-82-1502, 6-82-1503(a), 6-82-1503(c), 6-82-1503(e), 6-82-1504(a), 6-82-1505(a), 6-82-1506(a), 6-82-1506(h), 16-123-338(4), 21-3-101, 22-9-203(i)
SB 3: 3-4-223, 6-10-111, 6-15-202(f), 6-60-703(b), 6-61-121, 6-61-122, 6-63-103, 6-82-1501, 6-82-1502, 6-82-1503(a), 6-82-1503(c), 6-82-1503(e), 6-82-1504(a), 6-82-1505(a), 6-82-1506(a), 6-82-1506(h), 16-123-338(4), 21-3-101, 22-9-203(i)