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HB 1998

Prohibits educational institutions from using state funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion purposes

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Meirath

Arkansas HB 1998 would create a mental health act to train and certify peer-support members, build a statewide first-responder peer network, and require annual reporting.

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Bill Summary · HB 1998

Summary — HB 1998

Note: the source document contains mixed material from more than one jurisdiction and more than one draft of “HB 1998.” The primary bill text below is from an Arkansas draft titled the “James McFerron Mental Health, Wellness, and Resiliency Act.” The document also contains an unrelated Illinois line-item appropriation (an $2 appropriation to the Illinois Department of Public Health) and a mismatched bill title about restoring suffrage to an individual. This summary focuses on the Arkansas act text and then notes the procedural status and source inconsistencies.

Overview / Purpose

HB 1998, as drafted for Arkansas, would create the “James McFerron Mental Health, Wellness, and Resiliency Act.” Its stated purpose is to improve access to mental health, leadership, wellness, and resiliency training and services for first responders across the state, increase peer-to-peer support capacity, and promote holistic wellness among first responders and their communities.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new Subchapter 2 (12-1-201 through 12-1-206) to Arkansas Code Title 12, Chapter 1 establishing the Act.
  • Legislative findings that first responders experience significant mental health impacts and benefit from increased training and coordinated supports.
  • Definitions (12-1-203) including:
    • “Certified peer support member” — a first responder, retired first responder, or chaplain trained and certified by the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
    • “First responder” — includes certified law enforcement, firefighters, EMS providers, dispatchers, correctional facility employees, etc.
    • “Peer-to-peer support” — trainings, programs, emotional/moral support, critical incident stress management, and related resources.
  • Expansion of services (12-1-204): DPS must develop and provide, statewide:
    • Training to become a certified peer support member.
    • Programs/resources on mental health, leadership, wellness, resiliency, and critical incident stress management.
  • Peer-to-peer support network (12-1-205):
    • DPS to establish a volunteer statewide peer-to-peer support network of certified members.
    • DPS to designate a coordinator for the network.
    • Network must be accessible to requesting agencies and first responders regardless of location.
  • Reporting (12-1-206): DPS must provide an annual report to the Governor and Legislative Council summarizing activities under the subchapter.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: first responders statewide (law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, dispatchers, correctional staff).
  • Implementing agency: Arkansas Department of Public Safety.
  • Participants in the peer network: trained and certified first responders, retired responders, and chaplains serving as peer support volunteers.
  • Requesting agencies (state, county, local) that employ first responders.

Implementation and oversight

  • DPS responsible for program development, certification training, network coordination and annual reporting to executive and legislative leadership.
  • The act authorizes statewide access and coordination but does not specify funding or explicit appropriations within the text excerpt.

Legislative status and timeline (as provided)

  • Introduced: January 22, 2025.
  • Sponsors (in source): Representative Torres and Senator Dees (Arkansas); Tony M. McCombie appears in the document but is associated with an Illinois item.
  • Status reported in the provided bill information: Died In Committee. Other entries show actions including being withdrawn by the author (April 15, 2025) and committee recommendations for interim study. A companion bill is listed as SB 1173.
  • Because the source mixes documents, the exact final procedural posture should be confirmed with the official state legislative records for the relevant legislature (Arkansas General Assembly).

Source inconsistencies (important)

  • The packet contains unrelated material:
    • An Illinois HB1998 appropriation of $2 to the Illinois Department of Public Health (effective July 1, 2025).
    • An initial bill title about restoring suffrage to an individual in Coahoma County (does not match the Arkansas mental-health text).
  • Readers should verify which jurisdiction’s HB 1998 they are reviewing and consult the official legislative website for final text and status.

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

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