AR SB674

Establishes the Unify Arkansas Commission to promote truth, healing, and reconciliation relating to documented incidents of extralegal racial, religious, and political injustice and violence in Arkansas history, including lynching and discriminatory cleansing.

Creates the National Day of Racial Healing on the third Tuesday in January as an official state observance and Elaine Remembrance Week (October 1-7) as a memorial day.

Requires the commission to produce a report by May 31, 2022, recommending a public apology and full posthumous exoneration of 122 Black Arkansans wrongfully convicted in connection with the 1919 Elaine Race Massacre, plus Robert L. Hill.

Commission consists of nine members appointed by the Governor (2), House Speaker (2), Senate President Pro Tempore (2), and Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus Chair (3), with terms beginning January 1, 2022, and initial staggered four-year terms.

Encourages each county to establish community remembrance committees to facilitate public dialogue and recommend actions to elected officials regarding historical injustices, with funding through public-private partnerships using the Black History Commission of Arkansas.

Requires the State Board of Education to develop an elective Arkansas Black culture course for high school credit and mandates curriculum materials on the Elaine Race Massacre be distributed to all public school districts by September 1 annually.