Bill > HB1720

This bill introduces the Babies at Work Act, which allows state agencies in Arkansas to permit public employees who are parents or legal guardians to bring their infants (biological, adopted, stepchildren, or foster children) who are six months old or younger to their workplace. The legislation is designed to support public employees by recognizing the challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities during an infant's first six months. Under the bill, the head of each state agency has the discretion to establish internal policies governing this practice, which must include identifying appropriate work environments, setting acceptable work performance standards for employees with infants present, and developing safety guidelines for workplace infants. The bill emphasizes that this policy is intended to increase public employee retention by providing flexibility for new parents. Importantly, the bill does not mandate that agencies implement this policy, but rather provides them with the option to do so. The legislation also clarifies that agencies are not prohibited from allowing employees to bring children older than six months to the workplace, leaving that decision to the discretion of individual agencies.

Government Affairs

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1720&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R