HB1192
To Prohibit The Possession Of Tobacco, Tobacco Products, And E-cigarettes By Students; And To Require The Parent Of A Student Who Uses, Possesses, Or Smokes Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Or E-cigarettes To Pay A Fine.
Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1192 amends Arkansas law to explicitly prohibit students from possessing or using tobacco, tobacco products, and e-cigarettes on public school property or school-owned personal property, such as buses. The bill mandates financial penalties for the parents, legal guardians, or individuals in loco parentis of students who violate this prohibition. These fines are tiered, starting at $100 for a first offense, increasing to $500 for a second offense, and reaching $1,000 for any third or subsequent offense. Fines collected under this act are directed to the local police department of the city or town where the school is located. The bill includes an exemption for students currently in the custody of the Division of Children and Family Services or the Division of Youth Services.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools, as the bill provides a clearer statutory mechanism to enforce tobacco and e-cigarette bans. Additionally, local police departments benefit from the potential influx of revenue generated by the fines collected from parents or guardians.
Who Might Suffer?
Parents, legal guardians, and individuals acting in loco parentis of public school students would be negatively impacted as they face potentially significant financial burdens for their child's violation of the school's tobacco and e-cigarette policy. Students who use these products may also face increased disciplinary scrutiny or strain within their home environments due to the financial consequences imposed on their guardians.
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