Workforce, Health Care And Criminal Justice Reforms On Upcoming Legislative Agendas

State lawmakers head back to Little Rock to deal with several compelling issues, including workforce training, criminal justice reform, and health care.

The tenth week of the session starts Monday and legislators are also likely to deal with the controversy surrounding Rep. Justin Harris, R-West Fork. Harris has been at the center of reporting from the Arkansas Times regarding his handling of “rehoming” his adoptive daughters to a family where a rape of one girl occurred.

The controversy was a subject of conversation on this week’s Talk Business & Politics roundtable.

The following is a breakdown of the week ahead expected in the Arkansas General Assembly:

MONDAY
The House is expected to take up two bills that will stress school and financial security.

Rep. Scott Baltz, D-Pocahontas, sponsored House Bill 1653, which would create a panic button alert system for schools around the state. Baltz said Thursday that the system, which is connected to an app on a cell phone, could be used by teachers, principals and other school officials.

Plans call for the program to be implemented by a Massachusetts-based company, Rave Panic Button. According to the company’s website, a 911 operator would get a call instantaneously after the employee pushes a button.

Baltz said it would cost nearly $950,000 to implement the program during the first year; and $850,000 for each year after. Officials are hopeful the program can be implemented by Sept. 1, 2015. Baltz said he has over 100 sponsors for the bill.

Also expected Monday in the House is Senate Bill 555, sponsored by Sen. Ronald Caldwell, R-Wynne.

The bill would require grain dealers to be licensed by the Arkansas State Plant Board on an annual basis and post a surety bond based on the volume and size of the company’s operation. Officials will also be able to suspend a dealer’s license temporarily under certain circumstances.

The Senate is also expected to take up a pair of workforce training bills Monday. The bills, Senate Bills 368 and 371, are sponsored by Sen. Jane English, R-North Little Rock.

Under Senate Bill 368, the state would create a workforce development system and seek to coordinate a myriad of programs. English said in her bill that a Skills Development Fund would be created to help the Department of Career Education with programs around the state. A Career Education and Workforce Development Board would also be created to help state officials develop a strategy for the system.

Senate Bill 371 would allow school districts to partner with the state’s colleges, universities and technical institutes to provide concurrent courses or technical education options for students.

TUESDAY
The House Judiciary Committee is expected to be busy Tuesday and the remainder of the week dealing with prison and sentencing reform bills.

The committee may take up an omnibus criminal justice reform bill, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson, R-Benton and Rep. Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado. The bill, Senate Bill 472, carries the major portions of a $64 million plan introduced by Gov. Asa Hutchinson earlier in the session.

Among the ideas in the plan are a “pay-for-success” program to help reduce recidivism, using the Medicaid system to help inmates who are close to being released to get help with substance abuse and mental health treatment; appropriating more money for specialty courts and allowing police officers and Department of Community Corrections officers to do warrantless searches for probationers and parolees.

Two bills on the controversial issue of rehoming children could also be taken up this week.

House Bill 1648, sponsored by Rep. Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, would prohibit the private transfers of adopted children except to relatives; while House Bill 1676, sponsored by Rep. David Meeks, R-Conway, would ban the practice called “rehoming” in the state. Both bills would make “rehoming” a felony in Arkansas and have been filed in response to the Rep. Harris adoption controversy.

HEALTH REFORM LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE MEETING SET
The Health Reform Legislative Task Force will meet for a second time Tuesday.

The 16-member group had an informal, organizational meeting Tuesday (March 10) at the Capitol to select co-chairs and vice chairs for the group.

Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Sulphur Springs and Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville will serve as co-chairs. Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, R-Rogers and Rep. Reginald Murdock, D-Marianna, will be the vice chairs for the task force.

The task force was created earlier in the session when lawmakers approved Senate Bill 96. The bill seeks to reform the state’s Medicaid system. The panel has until Dec. 31, 2015 to come up with recommendations for reforming the system. The Private Option will end Dec. 31, 2016.

The meeting Tuesday and all other meetings are expected to be televised online at the Arkansas General Assembly website, officials said.

WEDNESDAY
The Senate Education Committee is expected to take up House Bill 1241, sponsored by Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle.

The bill would seek to end the state’s participation in the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Carriers by June 30 of this year.

The test, which is tied to the controversial Common Core program, has been the subject of support and scorn in the past several months. Supporters have said the test will provide education officials an opportunity to see what kids have learned, while those opposed say it has taken local control away from schools.

The House voted 86-1 March 6 to approve the bill.