Arkansas' Capitol catch-up: Week 6

Friday marks the end of six weeks of this legislative session, which has been extended to April 7.

Here are some bills filed this week to keep an eye on:

SB270 would criminalize transgender adults entering bathrooms or other changing facilities that correspond with their gender identity when minors are present. It would be considered sexual indecency with a child for adults to use a facility designated to the opposite sex "determined by anatomy and genetics existing at the time of birth."

• The bill includes exceptions, such as providing medical assistance or parents accompanying their children under 7.

HB1410 would repeal the law forbidding people under age 16 from working without a permit. The minimum age per federal law is 14.

SB271 would amend the law that defines loitering to omit "for the purpose of asking for anything as charity or a gift."

HB1413 would allow the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship to be applied to technical or vocational schools. It's currently used at two- or four-year colleges and nursing schools.

SB248 would create the Arkansas Challenge Plus Scholarship Program. The program would allow students who are eligible for merit-based Arkansas Challenge Scholarship to receive up to $4,000 more per year based on financial need.

SB264 would remove a requirement for the nine-member Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board to have at least two Black members.

What we're watching: So far, no bills for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' education plan have been filed.

• The Senate Education Committee tabled a bill to raise salaries for classified school staff.