SB264

Senate Bill 264 seeks to amend the composition requirements for the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board. Specifically, the bill removes a statutory mandate that required the board to include at least two African-American members. The legislation stipulates that board membership should be determined without regard to race. An emergency clause is included, declaring that the immediate enactment is necessary to remove an unconstitutional racial requirement and to ensure that appointments are based on qualifications rather than race. The board remains composed of nine members, including social workers, a psychiatrist, a public representative, and a member representing the elderly.