HB 1292 would have ended prenatal services for mothers of citizen children.

On Wednesday, the House Committee on State Agencies heard House Bill 1292. This was a wide-sweeping piece of legislation which sought to force state agency officials to require each person applying for benefits to provide an affidavit verifying their lawful presence in the US.

AACF strongly opposed this bill over concerns it would end critical prenatal programs for pregnant undocumented women, a program proven to improve the birth outcomes and health of Arkansas citizen children. These are children who will one day lead our state and economy.

In addition to concerns over access to prenatal care, this bill also contained language which could potentially preempt future state-level attempts to pass DREAM Act legislation.

After several hours of testimony on both sides of the issue as well as multiple amendments to the bill, it failed to pass committee.

Please take a moment to thank House members who voted against this bill:

Rep. Larry Cowling larry.cowling@arkansashouse.org  870-542-7453

Rep. Clark Hall clark.hall@arkansashouse.org 870-829-3382

Rep. Jim Nickels jim.nickels@arkansashouse.org 501-833-2424

Rep. Tracy Pennartz tracy.pennartz@arkansashouse.org 479-285-4800

Rep. Johnnie Roebuck johnnie.roebuck@arkansashouse.org 870-403-4382

Rep. Tiffany Rogers tiffany.rogers@arkansashouse.org 870-830-3953

Rep. Linda Tyler linda.tyler@arkansashouse.org 501-329-8644

Rep. Butch Wilkins butch.wilkins@arkansashouse.org 870-972-5503