Capitol roundup: Social media, prison funding fights
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Arkansas state lawmakers were back at it this week after taking time off for Spring Break.
State of play: Days after a federal judge permanently blocked a 2023 law requiring social media platforms to verify new users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a pair of related bills.
- SB611 seeks amendments to the law, including an updated definition of social media platforms as a messaging service or online platforms that require an internet connection. It would also apply to minors under 16, instead of 18.
- SB612 would prohibit social media platforms from using algorithms that cause a user to purchase a controlled substance, develop an eating disorder, attempt suicide or develop an addiction to the social media platform. The law would also allow parents to sue the platform if their child dies of suicide if it was facilitated by content on social media.
Zoom out: The state Senate this week also twice rejected a $750 million appropriation bill to support construction of a proposed and contentious 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County.
- The Senate further voted to eliminate the Arkansas State Library, which is under the Arkansas Department of Education's umbrella but operates independently, the Arkansas Advocate reported. SB536, now headed to the House, would transfer the authorities, funds, contracts and employees of the agency and its board to the state education department.
Take a look at more bills filed in the past week we're watching:
🐈⬛ HB1893 would allow private property or business owners to ban emotional support animals.
📚 SB572 and HB1919 would make learning materials like lesson plans and syllabi at public schools public record.
⛈ SB578 would allow early voting locations to close during inclement weather.
🍷 SB588 would create a private winery club permit.
🍭 HB1962 would prohibit schools from serving or selling ultra-processed food.
🥦 HB1965 would create the Arkansas Healthy Food Retail Act of 2025, tasking the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, in cooperation with public and private sector partners, to establish a program that provides funding to retailers that increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other affordable healthy food in underserved communities.
👨👩👦 HB1921 would limit the training hours required for a new foster home to 15 and six hours of annual training for existing foster homes to maintain their status.