AR HB1003

Both the House of Representatives and Senate may hire security personnel to maintain order and protect members and staff during official General Assembly meetings and functions.

Security personnel designated by either chamber are considered full-time law enforcement officers with full law enforcement responsibilities and authority equivalent to officers certified by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.

Each chamber may establish its own training and qualification standards for security personnel, and the commission must provide access to law enforcement training and certification processes.

Security personnel employed by the General Assembly have statewide jurisdiction while acting within the scope of their employment.

The act was declared an emergency and became effective upon gubernatorial approval on December 9, 2021.