The proposed legislation, titled the "Public Services Only for Citizens Act," mandates that individuals seeking public assistance in Arkansas must verify their citizenship and residency status. The bill introduces a new subchapter to the Arkansas Code, which outlines the definitions of federal and state public benefits, as well as the responsibilities of state agencies and political subdivisions in verifying applicants' eligibility. Specifically, applicants aged 18 and older must provide documentation proving they are U.S. citizens and residents of Arkansas. Acceptable forms of documentation include certified birth certificates, naturalization certificates, and utility bills, among others. The bill also stipulates that agencies must maintain records of the verification process and that verification efforts must be conducted without discrimination based on race, religion, or other factors.

Additionally, the legislation establishes penalties for individuals who receive public benefits without proper citizenship verification. If an individual is found to be ineligible, the state can recover benefits provided and may prosecute the individual for theft of public benefits. The bill requires state agencies to close cases for individuals determined not to be U.S. citizens and prohibits them from receiving future benefits. Furthermore, agencies are mandated to report annually on the outcomes of the verification process to the Legislative Council and the Governor.