(a) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections or his or her designee may authorize an employee of the Department of Corrections to carry a concealed handgun into a building in which or a location on which a law enforcement officer may carry a concealed handgun, as long as the individual: (1) Is presently employed with the department;(2) Is not subject to any disciplinary action that suspends his or her authority to work;(3) Is carrying a badge or appropriate written photographic identification issued by the department;(4) Is not otherwise prohibited under federal law from possessing or receiving a firearm;(5) Is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance;(6) Has provided written authorization for state- and national-level criminal history records screening with the results of the screening showing that the individual is eligible to legally possess and carry a firearm;(7) Has fingerprint impressions on file with the Division of Arkansas State Police automated fingerprint identification system; and(8) Has completed a weapons qualification course administered by the department.(b) The secretary or his or her designee retains

Arkansas State Police automated fingerprint identification system; and(8) Has completed a weapons qualification course administered by the department.(b) The secretary or his or her designee retains full discretion to deny an employee's request under this section.(c) An individual carrying a concealed handgun under this section shall annually complete a weapons requalification course administered by the department.(d) An individual authorized to carry a concealed handgun under this section:(1) Shall immediately be prohibited from carrying a concealed handgun under this section if the individual no longer meets the criteria stated in subdivisions (a)(2)-(5) of this section; and(2) Before his or her last day of employment with the department, may seek authorization from the secretary or his or her designee to continue to carry a concealed handgun under this section for an additional six (6) months after his or her last day of employment with the department.(e)(1) The secretary shall maintain a list of individuals authorized to carry a concealed handgun under this section.(2) The list required under subdivision (e)(1) of this section: (A) Shall identify the name and location of

l maintain a list of individuals authorized to carry a concealed handgun under this section.(2) The list required under subdivision (e)(1) of this section: (A) Shall identify the name and location of assignment for each individual authorized to carry a concealed handgun under this section;(B) Shall be kept confidential; and(C) Is not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, § 25-19-101 et seq.Added by Act 2023, No. 752,§ 3, eff. 4/12/2023.