HB1365 removes existing requirements for minority and women representation on state boards and commissions, including the Board of Education, Board of Pharmacy, and Board of Counseling Examiners. It also eliminates the requirement that state health-related boards consider appointment recommendations from minority health-related professional organizations.
The ACLU of Arkansas strongly opposes HB1365 because:
- It weakens efforts to ensure diverse representation in state leadership. Removing these requirements makes it harder for historically marginalized communities to have a voice in decisions that directly affect them.
- It undermines equity and inclusivity. Diverse boards and commissions help ensure state policies reflect the needs and experiences of all Arkansans—particularly those who have been excluded from decision-making in the past.
- Representation matters. When leadership lacks diversity, critical perspectives and lived experiences are ignored, leading to policies that fail to serve all communities equitably.
Arkansas should be working to expand representation, not roll it back. The ACLU of Arkansas stands against HB1365 and any effort to weaken diversity, equity, and inclusion in state governance.
