Arkansas Court Orders Recognition of Same-Sex Couples Married in 2014: Employment Law Manual Updated
Authors: Melissa Burdorf, Tracy Morley and Rena Pirsos, XpertHR Legal Editors
On June 9, 2015, the Pulaski County Circuit Court ordered Arkansas to recognize the same-sex marriages performed in the state between May 9 and May 16, 2014. The order also expressly allows these couples to enroll as spouses in the state's health insurance plan.
On May 9, 2014, an Arkansas state court had ruled that the state's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. As a result, hundreds of same-sex couples were married in the state, until the Arkansas Attorney General's request to stay the ruling was granted on May 16.
In light of this development, the Tax Treatment of Same-Sex Couple Benefits by State Quick Reference chart and the following Arkansas sections of the Employment Law Manual have been updated: