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HB 1888

Appropriation; DFA to provide funding to the Second Chance Outreach Learning Center.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Fabian Nelson

Arkansas HB 1888 would require the Division of Workforce Services to provide individuals free access to their wage and employment records, including electronic delivery.

Died In Committee
#appropriationsa
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Bill Summary · HB 1888

Summary — HB 1888

Note on source materials: The documents provided appear to include text from two different state bills both labeled “HB 1888” (an Arkansas bill and an Illinois bill) and an unrelated title line about an appropriation to the “Second Chance Outreach Learning Center.” This summary focuses on the principal Arkansas bill text contained in the materials (amending Arkansas Division of Workforce Services law). At the end I note the other, separate Illinois measure that was also included in the file.

Bill at a glance (Arkansas version)

  • Title (subject): Amend Division of Workforce Services law; provide access to employment records for individuals.
  • Statutory location added: Ark. Code § 11-10-113 (new).
  • Key date: Implementation required no later than December 31, 2025.
  • Sponsor: Rep. Steele.
  • Companion: SB 1185.
  • Final status: Died in House committee at sine die adjournment (May 5, 2025).

Main purpose / intent

To require the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (DWS) to provide individuals (or their representatives) free access to their wage and employment records and to enable electronic transmission of those records—directly or via a qualified third‑party vendor—so individuals can use the records for purposes consistent with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Key provisions

  • New Ark. Code § 11-10-113:
    • (a) On written request, DWS must make an individual’s wage and employment record available, without charge, to that individual or their representative.
    • (b)(1) Upon request, DWS must provide electronic transmission of the individual’s wage and employment records for purposes set forth in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., as of Jan 1, 2025).
    • (b)(2) If DWS uses a third‑party vendor, it must seek a “qualified” vendor that conforms with U.S. Department of Labor rules and provides the technology without charge to the division.
    • Any revenue share from such a vendor to the division is to be used to support eligible workforce programs.
    • (c) DWS may promulgate rules to implement the section.
  • Implementation clause: DWS must complete implementation to allow electronic transmission by December 31, 2025.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Individuals whose employment/wage records are maintained by Arkansas DWS (and their authorized representatives).
  • Agency: Division of Workforce Services (responsible for responding to requests, implementing electronic delivery, and adopting implementing rules).
  • Potential vendors: Third‑party vendors providing electronic access/transmission services; agreements may include revenue‑sharing that funds workforce programs.
  • Indirectly: Employers, background-check entities, credit/tenant/hiring processes that rely on wage/employment verification.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Increased individual access to personal wage/employment data—useful for job searches, disputes, credit/tenant checks, unemployment claims, etc.
  • Electronic transmission could improve speed and convenience but raises data security and privacy oversight needs; vendor qualification requirements and rulemaking authority are provided to address implementation details.
  • Funding mechanism: permitted vendor revenue shares directed to eligible workforce programs could provide program support but raises procurement and conflict‑of‑interest considerations.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced Jan 16, 2025. Required implementation by Dec 31, 2025 if enacted. The bill did not advance to enactment and died in House committee at sine die (May 5, 2025). A companion bill (SB 1185) was filed.

Note about other materials in the file

The provided packet also included text for an Illinois HB 1888 (designating March as “Prescribed Fire Awareness Month”) and an unrelated title referencing an appropriation to the “Second Chance Outreach Learning Center.” Those are separate measures and are not part of the Arkansas statutory amendment described above. The Illinois measure was introduced by Rep. Nicolle Grasse and had separate committee actions; it likewise did not advance (listed as “Died In Committee”). If you want separate, focused summaries of the Illinois text or clarification about the appropriation title, I can prepare those.

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

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