HB1646

House Bill 1646 requires elementary school library media centers in Arkansas serving kindergarten through grade five (K-5) to place materials deemed 'non-age-appropriate sexual content' into locked compartments in a designated area. Students are prohibited from viewing or checking out these materials unless the library receives prior written permission from a parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis. The bill defines 'non-age-appropriate sexual content' as materials that explicitly instruct, promote, or advocate for sexual ideologies, behaviors, or orientations deemed developmentally inappropriate for K-5 students. Failure to comply with these storage and access restrictions carries tiered disciplinary consequences for school staff. A first-time violation results in documentation by the principal and superintendent, with the potential for a five-day suspension without pay. A second violation must be reported to the Professional Licensure Standards Board and may lead to a teaching license suspension. A third violation mandates the revocation of the individual's teaching license.