Bill

Bill > HB1543


AR HB1543

AR HB1543
To Establish The Workforce Experience Opportunities Act Of 2025.


summary

Introduced
02/20/2025
In Committee
04/07/2025
Crossed Over
03/31/2025
Passed
04/10/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/16/2025

Introduced Session

95th General Assembly (2025 Regular)

Bill Summary

AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the Workforce Experience Opportunities Act of 2025, which creates a new program requiring state-funded entities to accept and accommodate "work requirement volunteers" who are Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients needing to fulfill employment and training program requirements. Under the act, state-funded entities must allow these volunteers to enter their facilities for at least four hours per day, provide basic accommodations like bathroom access, and offer documentation of the volunteer's participation. Volunteers can engage in activities that do not interfere with the entity's essential operations, and entities have discretion in assigning tasks. The bill includes important liability protections, stating that state-funded entities are not liable for injuries caused by or experienced by volunteers, except in cases of reckless or intentional misconduct. Volunteers are not eligible for workers' compensation, and the program is designed to help SNAP recipients meet work requirements by providing volunteer opportunities at various state-funded locations. The act will become effective on January 1, 2026, and applies to SNAP recipients who do not qualify for specific federal exemptions.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Notification that HB1543 is now Act 631 (on 04/16/2025)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...