Requirements of state-funded entities. [Effective January 1, 2026.]

Ark. Code Ann. § 20-76-1004 — under Public Assistance Generally.

Ark. Code Ann. § 20-76-1004

(a) A state-funded entity shall accept and accommodate a work requirement volunteer who presents documentation of his or her work requirement and photographic identification.

(b) A state-funded entity that accepts a work requirement volunteer shall:(1) Provide timely documentation to the agency responsible for monitoring the work requirement volunteer's compliance with a work requirement that accurately certifies:(A) The work requirement volunteer's physical presence; and(B) Any additional descriptions or information required by the responsible agency; and(2) Allow the work requirement volunteer to monitor the operations of the state-funded entity to the extent the monitoring does not interfere with:(A) Essential functions; or(B) The health and safety of employees or the public.

(1) Provide timely documentation to the agency responsible for monitoring the work requirement volunteer's compliance with a work requirement that accurately certifies:(A) The work requirement volunteer's physical presence; and(B) Any additional descriptions or information required by the responsible agency; and

(A) The work requirement volunteer's physical presence; and

(B) Any additional descriptions or information required by the responsible agency; and

(2) Allow the work requirement volunteer to monitor the operations of the state-funded entity to the extent the monitoring does not interfere with:(A) Essential functions; or(B) The health and safety of employees or the public.

(A) Essential functions; or

(B) The health and safety of employees or the public.

(c) In accepting and accommodating a work requirement volunteer, a state-funded entity:(1) May allow or require a work requirement volunteer to participate in:(A) An activity for which no experience or education is required; or(B) An activity for which a work requirement volunteer is qualified, including without limitation an activity that occurs in a place other than the state-funded entity's physical address;(2) May prohibit a work requirement volunteer from engaging in an activity on the premises of the state-funded entity other than providing himself or herself basic human necessities of relief when the work requirement volunteer is not otherwise engaged; and(3) Shall not allow the acceptance and accommodation of a work requirement volunteer to negatively interfere with essential operations of the state-funded entity.

(1) May allow or require a work requirement volunteer to participate in:(A) An activity for which no experience or education is required; or(B) An activity for which a work requirement volunteer is qualified, including without limitation an activity that occurs in a place other than the state-funded entity's physical address;

(A) An activity for which no experience or education is required; or

(B) An activity for which a work requirement volunteer is qualified, including without limitation an activity that occurs in a place other than the state-funded entity's physical address;

(2) May prohibit a work requirement volunteer from engaging in an activity on the premises of the state-funded entity other than providing himself or herself basic human necessities of relief when the work requirement volunteer is not otherwise engaged; and

(3) Shall not allow the acceptance and accommodation of a work requirement volunteer to negatively interfere with essential operations of the state-funded entity.

(d) A state-funded entity is exempt from this subchapter if the presence of a work requirement volunteer anywhere on the premises will inevitably or inherently interfere with the essential operations of the state-funded entity or negatively impact the health and safety of the community served by the state-funded entity.