The bill SB439 amends various sections of the Arkansas Code to update the authority and responsibilities related to labor regulations, primarily shifting oversight from the "Director of the Division of Labor" to the "Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing" or their designee. This change is reflected across multiple areas, including the enforcement of workplace safety, minimum wage laws, and the regulation of employment agencies. Key provisions include the Secretary's authority to issue rules, conduct investigations, and enforce compliance, as well as the ability to assess civil penalties for violations. The bill also clarifies the processes for public hearings, record-keeping, and the handling of complaints, aiming to streamline the regulatory framework and enhance workplace safety standards in Arkansas.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions that empower the Secretary to appoint agents and organize staff within the Department of Labor and Licensing, while ensuring legislative oversight on staffing changes. It emphasizes the Secretary's authority to manage various boards and commissions, enhancing operational efficiency. The bill also includes stipulations regarding the penalties for non-compliance with labor laws and the procedures for judicial review of administrative rules. Overall, the amendments aim to modernize labor regulations in Arkansas, improve clarity in enforcement mechanisms, and enhance the protection of employees' rights.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB439 V2 - 3-17-2025 10:23 AM: 8-7-1004(1), 8-7-1006(e), 8-7-1007(b), 8-7-1008(b), 8-7-1008(e), 8-7-1009, 03-17-2025, 8-7-1010(b), 8-7-1011, 11-2-110, 11-2-112, 11-2-113, 8-7-1008, 8-7-1012(a), 8-7-1012(b), 8-7-1013, 11-2-108, 11-2-115, 11-2-116, 11-2-118, 8-7-1014, 8-7-1015, 8-7-1015(a), 11-2-104(a), 11-2-105(a), 11-2-107, 11-2-109, 25-16-901, 11-2-114, 11-2-117(c), 11-2-119, 11-2-120, 11-2-121(a), 11-2-122(b), 11-2-204(a), 11-2-205(b), 11-2-206(a), 11-3-203(c), 11-4-203(9), 11-4-206, 11-4-216, 25-15-201, 11-4-209, 11-4-211(g), 11-4-212(b), 11-4-214, 11-4-210, 11-4-215, 11-4-210(b), 11-4-217, 11-4-218(d), 11-4-218(e), 11-4-219, 11-4-220, 11-4-211, 11-4-303, 11-4-304, 11-4-306, 11-4-608, 11-4-607, 11-4-612, 11-4-609, 11-4-610, 11-4-611(b), 11-5-101(c), 11-5-107(a), 11-5-108(a), 11-5-109(b), 11-5-110, 11-5-108, 11-5-109, 11-5-111, 11-5-112(b), 11-5-307(a), 11-5-308(c), 11-6-103, 11-6-107(b), 11-6-111, 11-6-115(a), 11-7-402, 11-7-409, 11-7-414, 11-7-404(a), 11-7-404(b), 11-7-405, 11-7-406, 11-7-403, 11-7-407, 11-7-410(a), 11-7-411, 11-7-412(a), 11-10-718(b), 11-11-101, 11-11-203, 11-11-223, 11-11-204, 11-11-221, 11-11-222, 11-11-208(b), 11-11-209, 11-11-210(b), 11-11-211, 11-11-212, 11-11-213, 11-11-214, 11-11-215(b), 11-11-216(a), 11-11-218, 11-11-219(b), 11-11-220(a), 11-11-227(c), 11-12-105, 11-14-112, 17-28-103, 20-23-103, 20-23-104(a), 20-23-105, 20-23-202(a), 20-23-203(c), 20-23-301, 20-23-203, 20-23-306, 20-23-310, 20-23-401, 20-23-402, 20-23-306(a), 20-23-311(b), 20-23-311(d), 20-23-312(a), 20-23-314(b), 20-23-407, 20-27-901(2), 20-27-1102, 20-27-1303, 20-27-1305, 20-27-1304, 20-27-1306(b), 20-27-1307(b), 20-27-1308, 20-27-1313, 20-27-1309(a), 20-27-1309(c), 20-27-1310(a), 20-27-1311(b), 20-27-1314, 20-31-105(c), 23-89-504, 23-89-505(c), 23-89-505(d), 23-89-506, 23-89-507, 23-89-508, 23-89-509, 23-89-515(b), 23-89-516(a), 23-89-516(b), 23-89-518, 25-43-1105(d)
Old version SB439 V3 - 3-20-2025 09:56 AM: 8-7-1004(1), 8-7-1006(e), 8-7-1007(b), 8-7-1008(b), 8-7-1008(e), 8-7-1009, 03-20-2025, 8-7-1010(b), 8-7-1011, 11-2-110, 11-2-112, 11-2-113, 8-7-1008, 8-7-1012(a), 8-7-1012(b), 8-7-1013, 11-2-108, 11-2-115, 11-2-116, 11-2-118, 8-7-1014, 8-7-1015, 8-7-1015(a), 11-2-104(a), 11-2-105(a), 11-2-107, 11-2-109, 25-16-901, 11-2-114, 11-2-117(c), 11-2-119, 11-2-120, 11-2-121(a), 11-2-122(b), 11-2-204(a), 11-2-205(b), 11-2-206(a), 11-3-203(c), 11-4-203(9), 11-4-206, 11-4-216, 25-15-201, 11-4-209, 11-4-211(g), 11-4-212(b), 11-4-214, 11-4-210, 11-4-215, 11-4-210(b), 11-4-217, 11-4-218(d), 11-4-218(e), 11-4-219, 11-4-220, 11-4-211, 11-4-303, 11-4-304, 11-4-306, 11-4-608, 11-4-607, 11-4-612, 11-4-609, 11-4-610, 11-4-611(b), 11-5-101(c), 11-5-107(a), 11-5-108(a), 11-5-109(b), 11-5-110, 11-5-108, 11-5-109, 11-5-111, 11-5-112(b), 11-5-307(a), 11-5-308(c), 11-6-103, 11-6-107(b), 11-6-111, 11-6-115(a), 11-7-402, 11-7-409, 11-7-414, 11-7-404(a), 11-7-404(b), 11-7-405, 11-7-406, 11-7-403, 11-7-407, 11-7-410(a), 11-7-411, 11-7-412(a), 11-10-718(b), 11-11-101, 11-11-203, 11-11-223, 11-11-204, 11-11-221, 11-11-222, 11-11-208(b), 11-11-209, 11-11-210(b), 11-11-211, 11-11-212, 11-11-213, 11-11-214, 11-11-215(b), 11-11-216(a), 11-11-218, 11-11-219(b), 11-11-220(a), 11-11-227(c), 11-12-105, 11-14-112, 17-28-103, 20-23-103, 20-23-104(a), 20-23-105, 20-23-202(a), 20-23-203(c), 20-23-301, 20-23-203, 20-23-306, 20-23-310, 20-23-401, 20-23-402, 20-23-306(a), 20-23-311(b), 20-23-311(d), 20-23-312(a), 20-23-314(b), 20-23-407, 20-27-901(2), 20-27-1102, 20-27-1303, 20-27-1305, 20-27-1304, 20-27-1306(b), 20-27-1307(b), 20-27-1308, 20-27-1313, 20-27-1309(a), 20-27-1309(c), 20-27-1310(a), 20-27-1311(b), 20-27-1314, 20-31-105(c), 23-89-504, 23-89-505(c), 23-89-505(d), 23-89-506, 23-89-507, 23-89-508, 23-89-509, 23-89-515(b), 23-89-516(a), 23-89-516(b), 23-89-518, 25-43-1105(d)
Old version SB439 V4 - 4-1-2025 12:04 PM: 8-7-1004(1), 8-7-1006(e), 8-7-1007(b), 8-7-1008(b), 8-7-1008(e), 8-7-1009, 04-01-2025, 8-7-1010(b), 8-7-1011, 11-2-110, 11-2-112, 11-2-113, 8-7-1008, 8-7-1012(a), 8-7-1012(b), 8-7-1013, 11-2-108, 11-2-115, 11-2-116, 11-2-118, 8-7-1014, 8-7-1015, 8-7-1015(a), 11-2-104(a), 11-2-105(a), 11-2-107, 11-2-109, 25-16-901, 11-2-114, 11-2-117(c), 11-2-119, 11-2-120, 11-2-121(a), 11-2-122(b), 11-2-204(a), 11-2-205(b), 11-2-206(a), 11-3-203(c), 11-4-203(9), 11-4-206, 11-4-216, 25-15-201, 11-4-209, 11-4-211(g), 11-4-212(b), 11-4-214, 11-4-210, 11-4-215, 11-4-210(b), 11-4-217, 11-4-218(d), 11-4-218(e), 11-4-219, 11-4-220, 11-4-211, 11-4-303, 11-4-304, 11-4-306, 11-4-608, 11-4-607, 11-4-612, 11-4-609, 11-4-610, 11-4-611(b), 11-5-101(c), 11-5-107(a), 11-5-108(a), 11-5-109(b), 11-5-110, 11-5-108, 11-5-109, 11-5-111, 11-5-112(b), 11-5-307(a), 11-5-308(c), 11-6-103, 11-6-107(b), 11-6-111, 11-6-115(a), 11-7-402, 11-7-409, 11-7-414, 11-7-404(a), 11-7-404(b), 11-7-405, 11-7-406, 11-7-403, 11-7-407, 11-7-410(a), 11-7-411, 11-7-412(a), 11-10-718(b), 11-11-101, 11-11-203, 11-11-223, 11-11-204, 11-11-221, 11-11-222, 11-11-208(b), 11-11-209, 11-11-210(b), 11-11-211, 11-11-212, 11-11-213, 11-11-214, 11-11-215(b), 11-11-216(a), 11-11-218, 11-11-219(b), 11-11-220(a), 11-11-227(c), 11-12-105, 11-14-112, 17-28-103, 20-23-103, 20-23-104(a), 20-23-105, 20-23-202(a), 20-23-203(c), 20-23-301, 20-23-203, 20-23-306, 20-23-310, 20-23-401, 20-23-402, 20-23-306(a), 20-23-311(b), 20-23-311(d), 20-23-312(a), 20-23-314(b), 20-23-407, 20-27-901(2), 20-27-1102, 20-27-1303, 20-27-1305, 20-27-1304, 20-27-1306(b), 20-27-1307(b), 20-27-1308, 20-27-1313, 20-27-1309(a), 20-27-1309(c), 20-27-1310(a), 20-27-1311(b), 20-27-1314, 20-31-105(c), 23-89-504, 23-89-505(c), 23-89-505(d), 23-89-506, 23-89-507, 23-89-508, 23-89-509, 23-89-515(b), 23-89-516(a), 23-89-516(b), 23-89-518, 25-43-1105(d)
Old version SB439 Original - 3-12-2025 10:34 AM: 8-7-1004(1), 8-7-1006(e), 8-7-1007(b), 8-7-1008(b), 8-7-1008(e), 8-7-1009, 8-7-1010(b), 8-7-1011, 11-2-110, 11-2-112, 11-2-113, 8-7-1008, 8-7-1012(a), 8-7-1012(b), 8-7-1013, 11-2-108, 11-2-115, 11-2-116, 11-2-118, 8-7-1014, 8-7-1015, 8-7-1015(a), 11-2-104(a), 11-2-105(a), 11-2-107, 11-2-109, 25-16-901, 11-2-114, 11-2-117(c), 11-2-119, 11-2-120, 11-2-121(a), 11-2-122(b), 11-2-204(a), 11-2-205(b), 11-2-206(a), 11-3-203(c), 11-4-203(9), 11-4-206, 11-4-216, 25-15-201, 11-4-209, 11-4-211(g), 11-4-212(b), 11-4-214, 11-4-210, 11-4-215, 11-4-210(b), 11-4-217, 11-4-218(d), 11-4-218(e), 11-4-219, 11-4-220, 11-4-211, 11-4-303, 11-4-304, 11-4-306, 11-4-608, 11-4-607, 11-4-612, 11-4-609, 11-4-610, 11-4-611(b), 11-5-101(c), 11-5-107(a), 11-5-108(a), 11-5-109(b), 11-5-110, 11-5-108, 11-5-109, 11-5-111, 11-5-112(b), 11-5-307(a), 11-5-308(c), 11-6-103, 11-12-101, 11-12-105, 11-6-107(b), 11-6-111, 11-6-115(a), 11-7-402, 11-7-409, 11-7-414, 11-7-404(a), 11-7-404(b), 11-7-405, 11-7-406, 11-7-403, 11-7-407, 11-7-410(a), 11-7-411, 11-7-412(a), 11-10-718(b), 11-11-101, 11-11-203, 11-11-223, 11-11-204, 11-11-221, 11-11-222, 11-11-208(b), 11-11-209, 11-11-210(b), 11-11-211, 11-11-212, 11-11-213, 11-11-214, 11-11-215(b), 11-11-216(a), 11-11-218, 11-11-219(b), 11-11-220(a), 11-11-227(c), 11-14-112, 17-28-103, 20-23-103, 20-23-104(a), 20-23-105, 20-23-202(a), 20-23-203(c), 20-23-301, 20-23-203, 20-23-306, 20-23-310, 20-23-401, 20-23-402, 20-23-306(a), 20-23-311(b), 20-23-311(d), 20-23-312(a), 20-23-314(b), 20-23-407, 20-27-901(2), 20-27-1102, 20-27-1303, 20-27-1305, 20-27-1304, 20-27-1306(b), 20-27-1307(b), 20-27-1308, 20-27-1313, 20-27-1309(a), 20-27-1309(c), 20-27-1310(a), 20-27-1311(b), 20-27-1314, 20-31-105(c), 23-89-504, 23-89-505(c), 23-89-505(d), 23-89-506, 23-89-507, 23-89-508, 23-89-509, 23-89-515(b), 23-89-516(a), 23-89-516(b), 23-89-518, 25-43-1105(d)
SB 439: 8-7-1004(1), 8-7-1006(e), 8-7-1007(b), 8-7-1008(b), 8-7-1008(e), 8-7-1009, 8-7-1010(b), 8-7-1011, 11-2-110, 11-2-112, 11-2-113, 8-7-1008, 8-7-1012(a), 8-7-1012(b), 8-7-1013, 11-2-108, 11-2-115, 11-2-116, 11-2-118, 8-7-1014, 8-7-1015, 8-7-1015(a), 11-2-104(a), 11-2-105(a), 11-2-107, 11-2-109, 25-16-901, 11-2-114, 11-2-117(c), 11-2-119, 11-2-120, 11-2-121(a), 11-2-122(b), 11-2-204(a), 11-2-205(b), 11-2-206(a), 11-3-203(c), 11-4-203(9), 11-4-206, 11-4-216, 25-15-201, 11-4-209, 11-4-211(g), 11-4-212(b), 11-4-214, 11-4-210, 11-4-215, 11-4-210(b), 11-4-217, 11-4-218(d), 11-4-218(e), 11-4-219, 11-4-220, 11-4-211, 11-4-303, 11-4-304, 11-4-306, 11-4-608, 11-4-607, 11-4-612, 11-4-609, 11-4-610, 11-4-611(b), 11-5-101(c), 11-5-107(a), 11-5-108(a), 11-5-109(b), 11-5-110, 11-5-108, 11-5-109, 11-5-111, 11-5-112(b), 11-5-307(a), 11-5-308(c), 11-6-103, 11-12-101, 11-12-105, 11-6-107(b), 11-6-111, 11-6-115(a), 11-7-402, 11-7-409, 11-7-414, 11-7-404(a), 11-7-404(b), 11-7-405, 11-7-406, 11-7-403, 11-7-407, 11-7-410(a), 11-7-411, 11-7-412(a), 11-10-718(b), 11-11-101, 11-11-203, 11-11-223, 11-11-204, 11-11-221, 11-11-222, 11-11-208(b), 11-11-209, 11-11-210(b), 11-11-211, 11-11-212, 11-11-213, 11-11-214, 11-11-215(b), 11-11-216(a), 11-11-218, 11-11-219(b), 11-11-220(a), 11-11-227(c), 11-14-112, 17-28-103, 20-23-103, 20-23-104(a), 20-23-105, 20-23-202(a), 20-23-203(c), 20-23-301, 20-23-203, 20-23-306, 20-23-310, 20-23-401, 20-23-402, 20-23-306(a), 20-23-311(b), 20-23-311(d), 20-23-312(a), 20-23-314(b), 20-23-407, 20-27-901(2), 20-27-1102, 20-27-1303, 20-27-1305, 20-27-1304, 20-27-1306(b), 20-27-1307(b), 20-27-1308, 20-27-1313, 20-27-1309(a), 20-27-1309(c), 20-27-1310(a), 20-27-1311(b), 20-27-1314, 20-31-105(c), 23-89-504, 23-89-505(c), 23-89-505(d), 23-89-506, 23-89-507, 23-89-508, 23-89-509, 23-89-515(b), 23-89-516(a), 23-89-516(b), 23-89-518, 25-43-1105(d)
Act 737: 8-7-1004(1), 8-7-1006(e), 8-7-1007(b), 8-7-1008(b), 8-7-1008(e), 8-7-1009, 04-01-2025, 8-7-1010(b), 8-7-1011, 11-2-110, 11-2-112, 11-2-113, 8-7-1008, 8-7-1012(a), 8-7-1012(b), 8-7-1013, 11-2-108, 11-2-115, 11-2-116, 11-2-118, 8-7-1014, 8-7-1015, 8-7-1015(a), 11-2-104(a), 11-2-105(a), 11-2-107, 11-2-109, 25-16-901, 11-2-114, 11-2-117(c), 11-2-119, 11-2-120, 11-2-121(a), 11-2-122(b), 11-2-204(a), 11-2-205(b), 11-2-206(a), 11-3-203(c), 11-4-203(9), 11-4-206, 11-4-216, 25-15-201, 11-4-209, 11-4-211(g), 11-4-212(b), 11-4-214, 11-4-210, 11-4-215, 11-4-210(b), 11-4-217, 11-4-218(d), 11-4-218(e), 11-4-219, 11-4-220, 11-4-211, 11-4-303, 11-4-304, 11-4-306, 11-4-608, 11-4-607, 11-4-612, 11-4-609, 11-4-610, 11-4-611(b), 11-5-101(c), 11-5-107(a), 11-5-108(a), 11-5-109(b), 11-5-110, 11-5-108, 11-5-109, 11-5-111, 11-5-112(b), 11-5-307(a), 11-5-308(c), 11-6-103, 11-6-107(b), 11-6-111, 11-6-115(a), 11-7-402, 11-7-409, 11-7-414, 11-7-404(a), 11-7-404(b), 11-7-405, 11-7-406, 11-7-403, 11-7-407, 11-7-410(a), 11-7-411, 11-7-412(a), 11-10-718(b), 11-11-101, 11-11-203, 11-11-223, 11-11-204, 11-11-221, 11-11-222, 11-11-208(b), 11-11-209, 11-11-210(b), 11-11-211, 11-11-212, 11-11-213, 11-11-214, 11-11-215(b), 11-11-216(a), 11-11-218, 11-11-219(b), 11-11-220(a), 11-11-227(c), 11-12-105, 11-14-112, 17-28-103, 20-23-103, 20-23-104(a), 20-23-105, 20-23-202(a), 20-23-203(c), 20-23-301, 20-23-203, 20-23-306, 20-23-310, 20-23-401, 20-23-402, 20-23-306(a), 20-23-311(b), 20-23-311(d), 20-23-312(a), 20-23-314(b), 20-23-407, 20-27-901(2), 20-27-1102, 20-27-1303, 20-27-1305, 20-27-1304, 20-27-1306(b), 20-27-1307(b), 20-27-1308, 20-27-1313, 20-27-1309(a), 20-27-1309(c), 20-27-1310(a), 20-27-1311(b), 20-27-1314, 20-31-105(c), 23-89-504, 23-89-505(c), 23-89-505(d), 23-89-506, 23-89-507, 23-89-508, 23-89-509, 23-89-515(b), 23-89-516(a), 23-89-516(b), 23-89-518, 25-43-1105(d)