Representative Lincoln Barnett

Education Committee (House) — April 1, 2025 (1:31:03)

them, but I do believe that this bill, uh, does support local control and it puts that control in the hands of the parents for them to opt out if they do not wish

Education Committee (House) — April 1, 2025 (1:30:32)

addressed home culture, home culture affects school culture. Anybody that has worked in public education, whether it's public education, private education, you work with children in any way, what takes place at home affects them in other environments. Um, so those things are needed, um, as we look at collecting data to address these issues. Um, so I'm in favor of the bill. I thank you for presenting it. I thank you for taking the questions and addressing

Education Committee (House) — April 1, 2025 (1:29:58)

at an issue that their students might be facing, this creates a method to collect that data to actually get some numbers and percentages on what students might actually be faced with. The argument about it takes away local control and choice actually is putting the choice in the hands of the parents who have the option to opt out whether or not their students are going to participate in this. Um, I know there were concerns, concerns about questions that

Education Committee (House) — April 1, 2025 (1:29:26)

Okay. I do see the need for us to collect this data. Um, increased participation only strengthens the data that we are collecting. Um, the data is needed to allocate resources to our Arkansas counties. Um, and it allows for our school districts to be able to, um, design targeted preventions for things that are being, uh, taking place in their schools. Um, the survey removes assumptions rather than our teachers and counselors and superintendents, um, guessing

Education Committee (House) — April 1, 2025 (1:29:05)

shall. Thank you. Representative Barnett, you're recognized for discussion. Yes. I just wanted to thank, uh, Representative Shepard and those that spoke on, uh, this bill. I do see the need for it. Um, I'll wait.

Judiciary Committee (House) — April 3, 2025 (3:37:53)

been highlighted and shared, I am willing to take the bill down and work on it some more. Well,

Judiciary Committee (House) — April 3, 2025 (3:37:48)

close for the bill. Thank you, Chair. In light of the concerns that have

Judiciary Committee (House) — April 3, 2025 (3:26:47)

if the officer is charged with a criminal offense as a result of the deadly use of force. So overall, House Bill 1885 intends to support our law enforcement officers through such an unfortunate incident with paid leave and counseling and establishes a clear and reasonable path to returning them to active normal duty. I would ask for your support in this effort and would appreciate a motion to pass and a good vote.

Judiciary Committee (House) — April 3, 2025 (3:26:12)

However, the requirement for counseling within this bill is in alignment with that existing act and does not conflict. However, the difference with House Bill 1885 is that it ensures the officers are given a period of paid leave during the investigation and counseling period, and it provides agencies with a standard across-the-board approach to returning that officer back to normal duty. Lastly, on page 2, lines 26 through 29, it exempts a law enforcement agency from providing these provisions

Judiciary Committee (House) — April 3, 2025 (3:25:38)

documentation from the licensed mental health professional confirming that the officer participated and attended the counseling or therapy sessions, and their recommendation of the officer returning to active normal duty. This bill does have some similarities to a previous bill that has become before our legislative body, which is House Bill 1505, which is now Act 398, which requires public employers to provide licensed counseling for public safety employees who has experienced a traumatic event.

Judiciary Committee (House) — April 3, 2025 (3:25:06)

This bill does not dictate a minimum or maximum period for this paid leave, permitting the local and respective agencies to determine the length of leave that is appropriate while the use of deadly force incident is investigated. House Bill 1885 does establish standard requirements for the involved officers to return to normal active duty. Page 2, lines 12 through 25, requires clearance from the prosecuting attorney investigating the deadly use-of-force incident,

Judiciary Committee (House) — April 3, 2025 (3:24:36)

Chairwoman Dalby, and good morning, committee members. Well, now good afternoon. I'm here before you today to present House Bill 1885. The intent of this bill is to ensure a standard level of support for law enforcement officers who are directly involved in a use of deadly force incident. House Bill 1885 ensures those officers are provided with paid leave and mental health support services during that time of leave.

Judiciary Committee (House) — April 3, 2025 (3:24:31)

Hello, I'm Lincoln Barnett, representing District 63. Thank you,

Education Committee (House) — April 7, 2025 (38:59)

Being that I reside in the same county as your district, I do know that your district is one of the districts that, despite declining population in our general area, your school district has experienced growth. And I do have students from within my district that attend your school district via school choice. I wanted to know, do you think there's been any benefits in terms of teacher retention and staff retention with the four-day week for your district?

Education Committee (House) — April 7, 2025 (38:47)

Barnett, you're recognized. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Superintendent Halbert, for coming today and sharing with us the benefits of the four-day week within your school district.

Education Committee (House) — April 8, 2025 (2:02:24)

all y'all's time, and I am closed. Thank you. Representative McCollum is closed for his

Education Committee (House) — April 8, 2025 (2:02:22)

We've been here a while. I just appreciate

Education Committee (House) — April 8, 2025 (2:01:31)

it. I don't think that's their intent. I think they're doing maybe a different job than they're doing, but I have seen some examples of that, and I do agree overall that, like, this aligned with having the new law on what our elections are going to be, these positions are going to be elevated even more hopefully to the public and the type of interest maybe that you're referencing. Well, I think, I think school board

Education Committee (House) — April 8, 2025 (2:00:18)

I would say, you know, Representative Brown, I have seen examples of that, but I really would not want to tag folks that school board. No, I wouldn't want to tag many people with that. I don't think you were intending to do that. I just want to be

Education Committee (House) — April 8, 2025 (1:58:29)

because it's going to be more in sync with the way we do some of