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In Effect Law Child Protection

AR HB 1958

Public Entity AI Policy Requirements

Requires all Arkansas public entities to create AI policies with mandatory human-in-the-loop for final decisions. Covers state departments, schools, and political subdivisions.

Jurisdiction

Arkansas

Enacted

Apr 17, 2025

Effective

Aug 3, 2025

Enforcement

Internal to each public entity

Signed April 17, 2025; effective August 3, 2025

AR Legislature

Why It Matters

Covers schools and health/human services - affects AI used in child welfare, education decisions, mental health services. Mandatory human oversight for all consequential decisions.

Recent Developments

Part of 2025 Arkansas AI legislative package. Strong human-in-the-loop requirement.

At a Glance

Applies to

Government AIAutomated Decision System

Harms addressed

Child Exposure

Who Must Comply

  • Arkansas state departments
  • Political subdivisions
  • School districts
  • Higher education institutions
  • All public entities

Obligations fall on:

Safety Provisions

  • Mandatory AI use policy defining authorized use
  • REQUIRED: human employee must make any final decision regardless of AI recommendations
  • Employee training on cybersecurity, AI policy, and AI in employment decisions
  • Policies must be publicly available upon request
  • Disciplinary procedures for policy violations

Compliance & Enforcement

Key Dates

Aug 3, 2025

Public entities must have AI policies in place

Penalties

Internal disciplinary procedures

View on map

Arkansas

Focus Areas

Mental health & crisis
Child safety
Algorithmic accountability
Active safeguards required

Cite This

APA

Arkansas. (2025). Public Entity AI Policy Requirements.

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All regulations Check if this applies to you

Last updated March 9, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.