Arkansas AR

Ban

Act 626 prohibits gender-transition procedures on minors. The 8th Circuit reversed the permanent injunction on 12 August 2025 (Brandt, No. 23-2681). That is a revival of the statute, not a new law.

Last verified: 13 Oct 2026

Medical care for minorsBan

Act 626 prohibits gender-transition procedures on minors. The 8th Circuit reversed the permanent injunction on 12 August 2025 (Brandt, No. 23-2681). That is a revival of the statute, not a new law.

Eighth Circuit (Brandt, 12 Aug 2025)

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Medicaid and CHIPFederal funding ended (minors)

State Medicaid policy excludes gender-transition procedures for minors. A federal CMS final rule (13 Aug 2026) prohibits federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for these procedures for patients under 18 (Medicaid) and under 19 (CHIP).

42 C.F.R. 441.800–802, 457.476 (91 Fed. Reg. 52406)

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Excludes (minors)

HB 1570

State source

State employee coverageExcludes

State employee health plans explicitly exclude coverage of gender-transition procedures.

Arkansas state-employee health plan document (sas.arkansas.gov)

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SportsSex-based

State law requires school athletic teams designated for girls or women to be limited to students of the female sex (K-12 and higher education).

HB1570/SB354

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FacilitiesSex-based (schools + government buildings)

State law requires multiple-occupancy restrooms and changing facilities in K-12 schools, and government buildings to be designated and used by biological sex.

HB1156 (2023; K-12) and

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Pronouns and parent noticeParental consent for names/pronouns

State law or policy requires parental consent before school staff use a name or pronouns that differ from those associated with the student's sex.

HB1468

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CurriculumRestricted

State law limits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity (K-4).

Arkansas SB294

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Definition of sexNo state law

No state statute defines sex in biological terms across state law.

No state law identified (statute review, Oct 2026)

Identity documentsBirth-certificate sex changed only with surgery and court order

Birth-certificate sex changed only with surgery and court order; driver's licence sex change needs surgery, court order or amended birth certificate. 'X' marker offered.

Arkansas birth-certificate / ID rule (arkleg.state.ar.us)

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Shield lawNone

No shield statute identified.

No shield statute identified

AdultsRestricted (funding)

Adult access is limited through public funding rules: state-employee plan exclusion.

HB 1570

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Detransition15 years after turning 18

SB 199 (2023) extends the time to sue over gender-transition procedures received as a minor to 15 years after age 18.

SB 199 (2023)

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PrisonsCase-by-case

Individualized placement decisions; no dedicated transgender housing.

ADC Administrative Directive 14-19 / Secretarial Directive 2021-05 (PREA)

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Pending billsNo active bills

No active bills (checked 13 Oct 2026). The 2026 regular session has adjourned (or the legislature does not meet in 2026), so 2025-26 bills are no longer moving. LegiScan search linked.

LegiScan search, checked 13 Oct 2026 (adjourned legislature)

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LitigationResolved

Brandt v. Griffin: 8th Circuit (en banc) upheld Act 626 on 12 Aug 2025.

8th Circuit opinion, No. 23-2681 (Aug 2025)

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Key datesNone upcoming

No upcoming effective dates or court deadlines were identified.

Review, Oct 2026

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