{"data":{"id":"us-ar/ark.-code-ann.-20-7-144","jurisdiction":"us-ar","citation":"Ark. Code Ann. § 20-7-144","heading":"Prohibition on mandatory use of face mask, face shield, or other face covering","body":"(a) The General Assembly reserves the right to enact legislation regarding the mandatory use of face masks, face shields, or other face coverings. (b) A state agency or entity, a political subdivision of the state, or a state or local official shall not mandate an individual in this state to use a face mask, face shield, or other face covering. (c) The use of a face mask, face shield, or other face covering shall not be a condition for entry, education, or services. (d) If a state agency or entity, a political subdivision of the state, or a state or local official recommends that an individual in this state use a face mask, face shield, or other face covering, a state agency or entity, a political subdivision of the state, or a state or local official shall provide notice that the recommendation is not mandatory. (e) This section does not apply to a face covering requirement imposed by: (1) A private business; (2) A state-owned or state-controlled healthcare facility; (3) A facility operated by the Department of Corrections; or (4) A facility operated by the Division of Youth Services. Added by Act 2021, No. 1002,§ 2, eff. 4/28/2021.\n\n(a) The General Assembly reserves the right to enact legislation regarding the mandatory use of face masks, face shields, or other face coverings.\n\n(b) A state agency or entity, a political subdivision of the state, or a state or local official shall not mandate an individual in this state to use a face mask, face shield, or other face covering.\n\n(c) The use of a face mask, face shield, or other face covering shall not be a condition for entry, education, or services.\n\n(d) If a state agency or entity, a political subdivision of the state, or a state or local official recommends that an individual in this state use a face mask, face shield, or other face covering, a state agency or entity, a political subdivision of the state, or a state or local official shall provide notice that the recommendation is not mandatory.\n\n(e) This section does not apply to a face covering requirement imposed by: (1) A private business; (2) A state-owned or state-controlled healthcare facility; (3) A facility operated by the Department of Corrections; or (4) A facility operated by the Division of Youth Services.\n\n(1) A private business;\n\n(2) A state-owned or state-controlled healthcare facility;\n\n(3) A facility operated by the Department of Corrections; or\n\n(4) A facility operated by the Division of Youth Services.","path":["AR Code","Title 20","Chapter 7","Subchapter 1"],"source_url":"https://oss-data-us.vaquill.ai/v2026.08/us_ar_statutes.parquet","current_through":"2026-08-14","vintage":"open-us-law v2026.08, retrieved 2026-09-14","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T18:32:41Z","sha256":"99bf2122045efc1d5ce60312aff667c238bddb86909654c3a509284b1cf4bf23","source_id":"us-ar","stale":false,"prev":"us-ar/ark.-code-ann.-20-7-143","next":"us-ar/ark.-code-ann.-20-7-145"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}