Those convicted of first-degree murder in Arkansas will be locked behind bars for their full sentence from now on, while Arkansans in search of work or a trade will have new outlet to help with their goals.

It's all part of two laws sought by Gov. Sarah Sanders and passed in 2023, the LEARNS Act and the Protect Arkansas Act, which took effect Wednesday.

An account by KATV News said most criminal offenders under the new law will not be eligible for parole, although some may qualify for release after serving 85 percent of their sentence.

Under the LEARNS Act, as of next school year all Arkansas students will have the opportunity to apply for "education freedom accounts," which allow state tax funds to be used for private schools or in-home education.

Also under the LEARNS Act, the Department of Education and other state agencies are tasked to develop an app to help Arkansans search for jobs and easily access various training opportunities.

The LEARNS Act has faced controversy, KATV said.

"Teachers and students at Little Rock Central High, along with the NAACP, sued the state [last] year intending to strike Section 16 down, which prohibits indoctrination of Arkansas students with certain ideologies,........

© El Dorado News Times