Arkansas Implements Multiple Employment Law Changes 2025 - HR ALERTS
- Regina Dyerly, SHRBP, PHR
- Aug 27
- 1 min read
Arkansas Implements Multiple Employment Law Changes 2025
Effective: August 4, 2025
Effective August 4, 2025, Arkansas has made several significant updates to its employment and labor laws. Employers should be aware of the following changes:
Arkansas Amends Emotional Support Animal Law
The Emotional Support Animal Law has been amended to:
Allow private property owners to ban emotional support animals from their property, unless prohibited by federal law.
Reference: 2025 Bill Text AR H.B. 1893
Arkansas Changes Independent Contractor Test
The Arkansas Empower Independent Contractors Act replaces the federal IRS 20-Factor Test with 26 CFR 31.3121(D)-1 (as it existed on January 1, 2025) to determine whether a worker is an independent contractor or employee under several state employment laws.
Reference: 2025 Bill Text AR S.B. 598
Arkansas Eliminates Affirmative Action Requirements for State Contractors
Effective August 4, 2025, Arkansas eliminates affirmative action requirements for state contractors. Key changes include:
State entities are no longer required to consider minority inclusion when evaluating proposals for state contracts.
The directive to grant preferential treatment or discrimination based on protected characteristics is removed.
Veterans preference programs remain unaffected.
Reference: 2025 Bill Text AR S.B. 3
Arkansas Requires Veterans' Benefits and Services Poster
Effective August 4, 2025, Arkansas employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees must post a Veterans' Benefits and Services Poster in the workplace.
Reference: 2025 Bill Text AR S.B. 497
Official Poster Link: https://labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Arkansas-Department-of-Veterans-Affairs.pdf
Get day-to-day updates on Arkansas Implements Multiple Employment Law Changes 2025 visit the Vida HR Knowledge Center (Vida HR Clients Exclusive).
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