A bill that would open up liability to Arkansans who assist in someone's "social transition" was pulled following debate in committee.

The bill to create “The Vulnerable Youth Protection Act” would give broad litigation rights to people seeking to sue those who provide minors with gender-affirming care. A person could seek up to $10 million in punitive damages for 15 years against anyone who assists in social transitioning. The bill would expand previous legislation making it easier to sue doctors who participate in the medical transition of a minor.

The bill met pushback in a meeting of the House Judiciary committee Tuesday over its definition of “social transitioning” as “changes in clothing, pronouns, hairstyle, and name,” meaning a person could possibly sue their barber or person who calls them by a nickname.

'Social transition' bill pulled amid First Amendment concerns

*Michael Hibblen/Little Rock Public Radio*
Steps leading up to the Arkansas Senate chamber in the state Capitol.

by Tina Alvey Dale (tdale@talkbusiness.net)

U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes III ruled against Crawford County in a First Amendment lawsuit regarding the removal and relocation of books largely because of objections from citizens to LGBTQ content.

In his ruling, issued Monday (Sept. 30), Holmes said the books in question are to be returned to their original locations in the county’s libraries. (Link here for the ruling.)

Attorney Brian Meadors filed a federal complaint May 30, 2023, against book censorship actions by the Crawford County Public Library System. The Crawford County Library earlier in 2023 approved the relocation of books largely with LGBTQ content. Attorneys representing the Crawford County Library System argued that the relocation of LGBTQ books was not a First Amendment violation and instead “strikes a balance” that is “constitutionally compliant” and meets the standards of the community.

Judge rules against Crawford County Library’s ‘social section’ censorship