This bill aims to protect licensed family childcare homes in Arkansas from the termination or non-renewal of their homeowners insurance coverage based solely on their operation as childcare providers. It introduces a new subchapter under Arkansas Code Title 23, Chapter 88, which prohibits discrimination by homeowners insurance providers against licensed family childcare homes. Specifically, the bill mandates that insurance providers cannot cancel or refuse to renew policies for these homes if they comply with applicable regulations, nor can they charge higher rates than those for similar properties. Additionally, operators of licensed family childcare homes are required to maintain a separate personal liability insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $100,000 per occurrence.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of operators, including the annual submission of proof of their liability insurance to their homeowners insurance provider and compliance with all relevant regulations to retain the protections offered by this subchapter. The Department of Education is designated as the enforcement body for these provisions, with the authority to promulgate rules for implementation. Operators can file complaints with the Department if they believe their insurance provider has violated the new regulations, which may then be referred to the State Insurance Department. The bill includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part is deemed unconstitutional, the remaining provisions will still be effective.