KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

A bill that a slew of critics say would impede minorities’ opportunities for success in Arkansas passed a legislative panel on a split voice vote Wednesday after nearly three hours of debate.

Senate Bill 3 would “prohibit discrimination or preferential treatment” by public entities and eliminate required minority recruitment and retention plans and reports from public school districts and higher education institutions.

The bill would also repeal language in state procurement proposals that encourage minority participation or require bidders to adopt an equal opportunity hiring program designed to increase the percentage of minority employees.

Bill to prohibit discrimination passes split Arkansas House panel after much public opposition

*Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate*
Rep. Denise Ennett, D-Little Rock, criticizes Senate Bill 3, which would “prohibit discrimination or preferential treatment” by public entities during a House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs meeting on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Black women in Arkansas face health challenges as a result of a history of discrimination and unconscious bias, so health policies should intentionally and aggressively seek to create health equity, a report by the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families argues.

The report, “The Critical State of Black Women’s Health,” was written by CaSandra Glover, health policy fellow, and released Tuesday (April 12).

The study says that Black women have higher excess mortality and shorter life expectancies, and they disproportionately suffer from chronic health conditions. They also receive less effective medical treatment.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/04/aacf-report-policies-should-seek-health-equity-for-black-women/