Bill limiting care for trans minors moves through Arkansas Legislature

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

In the current legislative session, the first bill about transgender kids Republican Rep. Mary Bentley tried to pass didn't live a day past the committee.

She pulled it after hearing testimony from Arkansas Assistant Attorney General Justin Brasher. He said, Rep. Bentley, we agree with you, but if the state gets sued, the AG'S office isn't going to bat over this one.

“We have facial constitutional concerns with this bill,” he said.

The problem with the initial draft of the bill, also called the Vulnerable Youth Protection Act, is that it was too broad. Draft one could have encompassed speech protected in the Constitution: the right to cut your hair the way you want to, the right to wear what you want, the right to be called the name of your choice.

Bill limiting care for trans minors moves through Arkansas Legislature

John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock.

Arkansas House committee changes controversial public bathroom bill

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

The Arkansas House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved an amended version of a bill that initially would have criminalized entering and remaining in bathrooms and locker rooms that do not match an adult’s gender assigned at birth if children are present.

Senate Bill 270 now limits potential misdemeanor charges and prosecutions to adults present “for the purpose of arousing or gratifying a sexual desire of himself or herself or any other person.”

The amendment and the bill both passed on unanimous voice votes after five cumulative hours of frequently emotional testimony from 40 witnesses against the bill. Almost half identified themselves as transgender, including three minors, and several more said they are the parents, spouses or loved ones of transgender Arkansans.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-03-29/arkansas-house-committee-changes-controversial-public-bathroom-bill

Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate

Aaron Jennen (right), a father of a transgender teenager from Fayetteville, speaks against Senate Bill 270 before the House Judiciary Committee on March 28, 2023. Sen. John Payton (R-Wilburn, left) is the bill’s sponsor.

Arkansas bill restricting transgender adults’ bathroom use will be amended, returned to committee

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas legislators will amend a proposed law that would make it a crime if an adult “knowingly exposes his or her sex organs to a minor of the opposite sex” in a public restroom or changing room.

Sen. John Payton (R-Wilburn), the sponsor of Senate Bill 270, pulled the bill from consideration on the Senate floor Wednesday in order to clarify some of the language.

Adults who enter and remain in a facility that does not align with their gender assigned at birth would risk criminal charges of sexual indecency with a child if they are aware that minors are present, the bill states.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-03-02/arkansas-bill-restricting-transgender-adults-bathroom-use-will-be-amended-returned-to-committee

Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate

Sen. Clarke Tucker (D-Little Rock) explains his opposition to Senate Bill 270 before the full Senate on March 1, 2023. The bill would make it a crime of sexual indecency with a child if a person enters and remains in a restroom that does not align with their biological sex when children are present.

Arkansas committee hears debate on "bathroom bill"

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Lawmakers heard questions and comments from members of the public Thursday over a so-called “bathroom bill” currently making its way through the Arkansas Legislature.

House Bill 1156 would ensure no public or charter school student is required to share sleeping quarters, restrooms or changing areas with members of the opposite biological sex. That could lead to problems for transgender or nonbinary students seeking to use facilities consistent with their gender identity. School officials who do not follow the policy could face a 15% reduction in salary under the bill.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville. She was joined during the committee meeting by two members of the Conway School Board, Linda Hargis and David Naylor Jr.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-01-26/arkansas-committee-hears-debate-on-bathroom-bill

ACLU pleased with appeals court decision on transgender healthcare

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

The American Civil Liberties Union is preparing for a lawsuit to go to trial challenging an Arkansas law banning gender-affirming healthcare for children. The suit was filed on behalf of the families of four transgender children and two doctors.

Last week, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a judge’s decision blocking the law from going into effect until the lawsuit could be heard. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is asking the full 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the decision.

Holly Dickson, executive director of the ACLU of Arkansas, says she is confident they will prevail at trial.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-09-02/aclu-pleased-with-appeals-court-decision-on-transgender-healthcare

Fayetteville's First Annual Trans March Attracts Large Crowd

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

Over 500 LGBTQ+ residents and allies joined the trans march to the Fayetteville town square last night to protest newly legislated state laws targeting transgender and non binary Arkansans' civil and medical rights. The inagural event was organized by Fayetteville trans activist Jewel Hayes, a member of the board of directors at NWA Equality.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/fayettevilles-first-annual-trans-march-attracts-large-crowd

After walking from the Walton Arts Center, hundreds of trans march protesters assembled on the Fayetteville town square to hear several trans activists and an ACLU attorney speak.

J. FROELICH / KUAF

New Fund to Improve LGBTQ Life in Arkansas

By KYLE KELLAMS

A new million-dollar fund will be used to administer grants to organizations working to improve the quality of life for LGBTQ Arkansans. The development of the grant comes after a legislative session that included several bills aimed at trans youth and adults.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/new-fund-improve-lgbtq-life-arkansas

ACLU Files Promised Lawsuit Over Arkansas' Transgender Care Ban

By STEVE BRAWNER / TALK BUSINESS & POLITICS

The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit Tuesday against the state of Arkansas over a newly passed law that prohibits health care professionals from providing gender-transition procedures to individuals under age 18.

The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court Eastern District against Act 626 was filed on behalf of four transgender youth and their families along with two doctors. It alleges the law violates the U.S. Constitution.

Act 626 prohibits physicians and health care professionals from providing gender transition procedures to individuals under age 18, or to refer minors to other health care professionals. It also prohibits the use of public funds or insurance coverage for gender transition procedures. It does not prohibit services for persons born with a “medically verifiable disorder of sex development,” such as external biological sex characteristics.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/aclu-files-promised-lawsuit-over-arkansas-transgender-care-ban

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/05/aclu-files-suit-over-states-transgender-care-ban/

CREDIT FLICKR.COM

Arkansas Bill Allowing Misgendering of Trans Students Progresses to Senate

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

A proposed Arkansas law to protect teachers and school administrators who misgender public school and college students is expected to be approved by the state legislature. House Bill 1749, which prohibits requiring public school and college employees from identifying students by genders inconsistent with a student’s biological sex, was approved by the House and is now being considered by the Senate. It's one of nearly a dozen anti-transgender bills proposed this session.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/arkansas-bill-allowing-misgendering-trans-students-progresses-senate

COURTESY / INTRANSITIVE ARKANSAS

Bill Seeks To Ban Transgender Girls, Women From Arkansas School Sports Teams

By DANIEL BREEN

Arkansas lawmakers have proposed a bill that would make it illegal for schools to allow transgender girls and women to play on sports teams corresponding to their gender identity.

The legislation, called the Gender Integrity Reinforcement Legislation for Sports (GIRLS) Act, is sponsored by Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, and Rep. DeAnn Vaught, R-Horatio. State Attorney General Leslie Rutledge introduced the bill at a news conference Monday.

"We don't want common sense to be overshadowed by so-called political correctness, and this bill would ensure the integrity of girls and women in sports," Rutledge said. "This legislation will create a space for women’s sports and will provide opportunities for women to demonstrate their skills, strength and athletic abilities against other females of the same biological stature."

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/bill-seeks-ban-transgender-girls-women-arkansas-school-sports-teams

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge speaks alongside state lawmakers Monday at the Arkansas State Capitol.

CREDIT DANIEL BREEN / KUAR NEWS