AR HB1991

Requires public schools and school districts to provide at least one 30-minute uninterrupted duty-free lunch period during each student instructional day for full-time non-exempt classified employees, except in emergencies.

Defines "classified employee" as a public school employee who is not required to hold a valid teaching license and "full-time non-exempt classified employee" as one working 35 or more hours per week and entitled to overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Employees receiving the required 30-minute duty-free lunch period are not entitled to two paid breaks under existing law.

Schools must compensate employees at their hourly rate for each missed duty-free lunch period.

Schools are exempt from these requirements if they have a collectively negotiated contract through a local teachers' association that expressly addresses duty-free lunch periods.