State Capitol Week in Review

LITTLE ROCK – The Senate passed legislation to prohibit discrimination and preferential treatment in state government, public schools and state-supported institutions of higher education.
The written intent of Senate Bill 3 is “to prohibit discrimination by public entities on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.”
The bill allows people to sue for injunctive relief, court costs and attorneys’ fees if they believe their rights have been impacted. Anyone who knowingly violates the act would be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
In 2023 the Senate approved a similar bill, SB 71. The House defeated it, but this year’s version passed by a greater margin. The Senate approved SB 3 by a vote of 24-to-7 and two years ago SB 71 was approved by a vote of 18-to-12.
In other business the Senate Committee on Public Health endorsed legislation meant to expand consumer access to pharmacies when they’re in the hospital. SB 58 would repeal a prohibition now in state law that prevents non-profit hospitals from having a pharmacy licensed to sell retail drugs.
Arkansas is the only state in the country with such a prohibition, according to the bill’s supporters. They say it should be easier for patients to purchase necessary medications when they are discharged from the hospital.
The House approved a bill being referred to as “tort reform light.” It is HB 1204 to limit damages that some injured plaintiffs can recover in civil lawsuits.

The bill would allow plaintiffs to recover only what insurance companies have paid for medical treatment, not the amount charged by hospitals and physicians.
Sometimes insurers have a contract with medical providers that allow for payments lower than the original charges for services rendered. Sometimes a plaintiff receives an amount equal to what was charged, rather than what the insurance company actually paid. That difference is known as “phantom damages.”
Students’ access to cell phones during the school day would be restricted under SB 142, which was filed and referred to the Senate Education Committee. It’s called the “Bell to Bell, No Cell Act” and it has 15 Senate sponsors.
One purpose is to improve academic performance by removing distractions from the classroom. Another goal is to improve the emotional and mental health of teenagers who spend too much time on social media.
Arkansas schools and the legislature have already begun work on the issue. Last year lawmakers approved using $7 million to help schools pay for pouches and storage lockers to keep students’ cell phones during the day.
Some parents have said they want their children to have cell phones handy in case of an incident like a school shooting. However, some school safety experts say that cell phones distract students even during shootings, because they focus on texting loved ones instead of following directions and moving to safe locations.