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HR 1029

TO DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY AS NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lee Johnson

Arkansas designates February as National Children's Dental Health Month to boost awareness and promote preventive dental care for kids; ceremonial, with no new funding or mandates.

READ AND ADOPTED.
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Bill Summary · HR 1029

Summary — HR 1029: Designating February as "National Children's Dental Health Month"

Overview / Purpose

HR 1029 is a state House resolution introduced to formally designate the month of February as "National Children's Dental Health Month" in the State of Arkansas. The resolution emphasizes the importance of good oral health habits for children, the role of preventive dental care in reducing tooth decay and dental-related illnesses, and the public awareness value of a dedicated observance month.

Key provisions

  • Officially designates February as "National Children's Dental Health Month" in Arkansas.
  • Recognizes the importance of:
    • Early and reinforced dental habits,
    • Balanced diet, proper oral hygiene, and preventive dental care to prevent tooth decay,
    • The fact that dental-related illness causes U.S. school-aged children to miss an estimated 34,000,000 school hours annually, beginning as early as first grade — a loss that can worsen socioeconomic disparities.
  • Directs that, upon adoption, a copy of the resolution be presented by the Chief Clerk of the House to:
    • Delta Dental Plan of Arkansas, and
    • Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation, Inc.

Who or what is affected

  • Primarily a ceremonial/awareness action affecting state recognition and public messaging; it does not create new programs, impose mandates, or appropriate funds.
  • Intended audiences and stakeholders include Arkansas families, schools, public-health organizations, dental professionals, and dental health advocates (specifically named recipients: Delta Dental Plan of Arkansas and its Foundation).

Procedural / timeline information

  • Introduced: February 5, 2025 (filed Feb 4, 2025 in state records).
  • Read and adopted (initial action noted): February 11, 2025.
  • Placed on Congratulatory & Memorial Resolutions Calendar and laid before the House: May 23, 2025.
  • Adopted by the House (final recorded adoption): May 23, 2025. Reported enrolled: May 24, 2025.
  • Classification: House resolution (ceremonial/recognition).

Legal effect and likely impact

  • As a state House resolution, the measure is non-binding and ceremonial: it recognizes and encourages public awareness but does not establish new statutory requirements, create funding, or change regulatory authority.
  • Potential impacts are informational and promotional: it may spur outreach campaigns by state agencies, schools, and dental organizations, and could support preventive dental health education and screening efforts during February.

Sponsors / related measures

  • Primary sponsor (state-level): Representative L. Johnson.
  • Several cosponsors are listed in the provided materials.
  • Related/companion bill referenced: HR 1123.

Important note on document inconsistencies

The material supplied also included an unrelated federal-style provision (a text rescinding unobligated USAID balances and prohibiting Federal funds for USAID functions). That text conflicts with the Arkansas House resolution content and appears to be extraneous or a clerical insertion. The substantive summary above reflects the Arkansas House Resolution designating February as National Children's Dental Health Month. Verify the authoritative legislative source if confirmation of final enacted language or jurisdictional scope is required.

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

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