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HB 1996

An Act amending the act of December 17, 1968 (P.L.1224, No.387), known as the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, further providing for definitions and for unlawful acts or practices and exclusions.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pat Gallagher and 9 co-sponsors

Imposes an educational option waiving first-time civil penalties for child-labor violations and requires schools to post youth-friendly notices on federal/state child-labor rules.

Referred to Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities
3
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Bill Summary · HB 1996

Summary — HB 1996 (95th General Assembly, 2025) — Child Labor: educational alternative to civil penalties; school posters

Note on metadata: The bill packet contains inconsistent metadata (a title referencing "driver's licenses" and an unrelated Illinois appropriation excerpt). The substantive text of HB 1996 (sponsored by Rep. Gramlich) amends Arkansas child‑labor law (Initiated Act 1 of 1914) and creates an educational alternative and school posting requirements. This summary reflects the Arkansas child‑labor provisions in the bill text provided.

Purpose / Intent

The bill seeks to reduce repeat child‑labor violations by improving education and awareness of child‑labor rules. It establishes an educational compliance option that may waive first‑time civil penalties and requires schools to display youth‑friendly notices summarizing federal and state child‑labor requirements.

Key provisions

  • Civil penalty amendment (Ark. Code § 11-6-103(a)(1))

    • Maintains a civil penalty range of $100 to $5,000 per violation for employing/allowing children to work in violation of law.
    • Adds that a first‑time civil penalty may be waived if the penalized person/entity (including employers, parents, guardians, custodians) completes an educational module developed by the Department of Labor and Licensing.

  • New § 11-6-117 — Educational module

    • Directs the Department of Labor and Licensing to develop an educational module provided to those subject to a first‑time penalty.
    • Required content: (1) the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.) as of Jan 1, 2025, specific to employment of children under 16; (2) 29 C.F.R. Part 570 (as of Jan 1, 2025) regarding hazardous occupations and youth work rules; and (3) all applicable Arkansas statutes and rules governing employment of children under 16.

  • New § 11-6-118 — School posting requirement

    • Requires public schools, open‑enrollment public charter schools, and private schools to post an 8.5" × 11" poster (youth‑friendly) developed jointly by the Department of Labor and Licensing and the Department of Education.
    • Poster content: FLSA requirements, 29 C.F.R. Part 570 rules (as of Jan 1, 2025), and state laws governing employment of children under 16.
    • Posters must be printed in English, Spanish, and any other language required by the Voting Rights Act (as of Jan 1, 2025) for the county.
    • Posters must be available on both agencies’ websites; schools may print from the site or request a mailed copy (school pays printing + first‑class postage).

Who is affected

  • Employers (businesses, firms, associations, etc.) that hire minors under 16.
  • Parents, guardians, custodians who permit children to work.
  • Public, charter, and private schools (posting and distribution duties).
  • Department of Labor and Licensing and Department of Education (development and dissemination of materials).
  • Potentially reduces revenue from first‑time penalty collections if waivers are exercised.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced (Arkansas): filed Jan 22, 2025; sponsor: Rep. Gramlich.
  • Status entries in the bill file are inconsistent and include multiple committee referrals, readings, a withdrawal by the author (4/14/2025), a “Died in Committee” entry, and a “Prefiled (H)” status dated 2025‑12‑01. These conflicting actions may reflect multiple versions, clerical overlap, or subsequent procedural movements; consult the Arkansas legislative database for the bill’s current authoritative status.
  • Companion bill: SB 2526.

Practical impacts and considerations

  • Encourages compliance through education rather than immediate monetary penalties for first‑time offenders.
  • Administrative cost for state agencies to prepare training/posters and for schools to print/distribute materials.
  • Could reduce repeat violations and improve awareness of federal/state child‑labor limits and hazardous‑occupation rules.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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