Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

Arkansas Senate Bill SB246 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1		Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
2		-	Act 340 of the Regular Session
3		-	CRH173 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4		-
5		-	State of Arkansas As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 1
	2	+	CRH173 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3	+	State of Arkansas 1
6	4		95th General Assembly A Bill 2
7	5		Regular Session, 2025 SENATE BILL 246 3
8	6		4
9	7		By: Senator J. Dismang 5
10		-	By: Representatives M. Shepherd, Evans, Beaty Jr., Brooks, Eubanks, Wardlaw, Barker, K. Brown, M. 6
11		-	Brown, John Carr, Cavenaugh, Crawford, Gramlich, Hawk, McAlindon, McClure, S. Meeks, Nazarenko, 7
12		-	Rose, Torres, Wing, Achor, Beck, Eaves, Unger, Andrews 8
13		-	9
14		-	For An Act To Be Entitled 10
15		-	AN ACT TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS ACCESS ACT; TO AMEND 11
16		-	VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE AS THEY 12
17		-	RELATE TO EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS; AND FOR 13
18		-	OTHER PURPOSES. 14
19		-	15
	8	+	By: Representative M. Shepherd 6
	9	+	7
	10	+	For An Act To Be Entitled 8
	11	+	AN ACT TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS ACCESS ACT; TO AMEND 9
	12	+	VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE AS THEY 10
	13	+	RELATE TO EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS; AND FOR 11
	14	+	OTHER PURPOSES. 12
	15	+	13
	16	+	14
	17	+	Subtitle 15
	18	+	TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS ACCESS ACT; AND 16
	19	+	TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE 17
	20	+	ARKANSAS CODE AS THEY RELATE TO 18
	21	+	EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS. 19
	22	+	20
	23	+	BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 21
	24	+	22
	25	+	SECTION 1. DO NOT CODIFY. Title. 23
	26	+	This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Arkansas ACCESS Act”. 24
	27	+	25
	28	+	SECTION 2. Arkansas Code § 6-1-404(a), concerning the membership of 26
	29	+	the School Leadership Coordinating Council, is amended to read as follows: 27
	30	+	(a) The School Leadership Coordinating Council consists of seventeen 28
	31	+	(17) the following members as follows: 29
	32	+	(1) The Chair of the Arkansas Association of Colleges for 30
	33	+	Teacher Education Council of Deans; 31
	34	+	(2) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education; 32
	35	+	(3) The Director of the Arkansas Leadership Academy; 33
	36	+	(4)(2) The Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education; 34
	37	+	(5)(3) The Director of the Division of Career and Technical 35
	38	+	Education; 36 SB246
	39	+
	40	+	2 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	41	+	(6) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Association of 1
	42	+	Educational Administrators; 2
	43	+	(7) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Education 3
	44	+	Association; 4
	45	+	(8) The Executive Director of the Arkansas School Boards 5
	46	+	Association; 6
	47	+	(9) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Association for 7
	48	+	Supervision and Curriculum Development; 8
	49	+	(10) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Rural Ed 9
	50	+	Association; 10
	51	+	(11) A representative from the Arkansas Professors of 11
	52	+	Educational Administration; 12
	53	+	(12) A representative from the Arkansas Center for Executive 13
	54	+	Leadership; 14
	55	+	(13) A representative from an education service cooperative; 15
	56	+	(14) A representative from the Arkansas Public School Resource 16
	57	+	Center, Inc.; 17
	58	+	(15) A representative from the Arkansas State Teachers 18
	59	+	Association; 19
	60	+	(16)(4) The Chair of the Senate Committee on Education or the 20
	61	+	chair's designee; and 21
	62	+	(17)(5) The Chair of the House Committee on Education or the 22
	63	+	chair's designee; and 23
	64	+	(6) Other stakeholders as deemed necessary by the members 24
	65	+	designated under subdivisions (a)(1) -(5) of this section. 25
	66	+	26
	67	+	SECTION 3. Arkansas Code § 6 -1-404(d), concerning meetings of the 27
	68	+	School Leadership Coordinating Council, is amended to read as follows: 28
	69	+	(d)(1) The council shall meet at the times and places that the Chair 29
	70	+	of the School Leadership Coordinating Council deems necessary but no less 30
	71	+	than four (4) times per year. 31
	72	+	(2) Seven (7) A majority of the members of the council shall 32
	73	+	constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business. 33
	74	+	(3) All actions of the council are by quorum. 34
	75	+	35
	76	+	SECTION 4. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 5, Subchapter 11 is 36 SB246
	77	+
	78	+	3 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	79	+	repealed. 1
	80	+	Subchapter 11 — Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness 2
	81	+	6-5-1101. Legislative intent. 3
	82	+	The General Assembly finds that: 4
	83	+	(1) Public schools should help all students: 5
	84	+	(A) Have the reading, writing, and mathematics skills 6
	85	+	needed to succeed in all first -year coursework in associate and baccalaureate 7
	86	+	degree programs in non -mathematics-based majors; and 8
	87	+	(B) Be ready for as many career options as possible by 9
	88	+	having a base level of employability; and 10
	89	+	(2) The development of college and career readiness standards 11
	90	+	should be undertaken as an integrative process among: 12
	91	+	(A) The General Assembly; 13
	92	+	(B) State agencies that regulate and support the public 14
	93	+	educational systems of the state; 15
	94	+	(C) Kindergarten, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary 16
	95	+	educational institutions; and 17
	96	+	(D) The public. 18
	97	+	19
	98	+	6-5-1102. Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness 20
	99	+	established — Membership — Meetings. 21
	100	+	(a) This subchapter establishes the Council on Postsecondary Education 22
	101	+	and Career Readiness to facilitate the collaboration of kindergarten, 23
	102	+	elementary, secondary, and postsecondary educational institutions in Arkansas 24
	103	+	in developing college and career readiness standards that align school 25
	104	+	curriculum and graduation standards with postsecondary education requirements 26
	105	+	and business community expectations for employability. 27
	106	+	(b) The council shall consist of eleven (11) members as follows: 28
	107	+	(1) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education or 29
	108	+	his or her designee; 30
	109	+	(2) The Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education or his 31
	110	+	or her designee; 32
	111	+	(3) The Director of the Division of Career and Technical 33
	112	+	Education or his or her designee; 34
	113	+	(4) The Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission 35
	114	+	or his or her designee; 36 SB246
	115	+
	116	+	4 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	117	+	(5) The Director of the Division of Workforce Services or his or 1
	118	+	her designee; 2
	119	+	(6) A president or chancellor of an Arkansas four -year 3
	120	+	institution of higher education or his or her designee, appointed annually by 4
	121	+	the Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education; 5
	122	+	(7) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Association of 6
	123	+	Educational Administrators or his or her designee; 7
	124	+	(8) The Executive Director of Arkansas Community Colleges or his 8
	125	+	or her designee; 9
	126	+	(9) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Education Association 10
	127	+	or his or her designee; 11
	128	+	(10) The Executive Director of the Arkansas School Boards 12
	129	+	Association or his or her designee; and 13
	130	+	(11) The President of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and 14
	131	+	the Associated Industries of Arkansas or his or her designee. 15
	132	+	(c)(1) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education or his 16
	133	+	or her designee shall call the first meeting of the council and serve as 17
	134	+	chair for the first meeting. 18
	135	+	(2) The first meeting shall occur within thirty (30) days of the 19
	136	+	effective date of this subchapter. 20
	137	+	(d) At the first meeting of the council and annually thereafter, the 21
	138	+	voting members of the council shall elect one (1) member to serve as chair 22
	139	+	for one (1) year. 23
	140	+	(e)(1) All members are voting members except the chair, who may vote 24
	141	+	only to break a tie vote. 25
	142	+	(2) A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the 26
	143	+	transaction of business. 27
	144	+	(f) The council shall meet at least three (3) times in a calendar 28
	145	+	year. 29
	146	+	(g) The Department of Education shall provide meeting space and staff 30
	147	+	for the council. 31
	148	+	(h) Council members shall serve without pay and shall not receive 32
	149	+	expense reimbursement except from the agency or institution employing the 33
	150	+	member. 34
	151	+	35
	152	+	6-5-1103. Powers and duties. 36 SB246
	153	+
	154	+	5 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	155	+	(a) The Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness shall: 1
	156	+	(1) Develop a unified strategy to: 2
	157	+	(A) Reduce remediation rates among high school graduates 3
	158	+	entering postsecondary education by at least fifty percent (50%) by the year 4
	159	+	2020; and 5
	160	+	(B) Increase postsecondary graduation and completion 6
	161	+	rates; 7
	162	+	(2)(A) Support college and career readiness standards that: 8
	163	+	(i) Require higher performance levels than those 9
	164	+	currently required for high school graduation; and 10
	165	+	(ii) Promote accelerated learning opportunities, 11
	166	+	including without limitation Advanced Placement courses, concurrent credit 12
	167	+	opportunities, and other accelerated opportunities with college or 13
	168	+	vocational-technical school assistance to ensure that all students have the 14
	169	+	skills to be successful in either employment or postsecondary education. 15
	170	+	(B) College and career readiness standards shall be 16
	171	+	implemented with the understanding that until July 1, 2022, interim high 17
	172	+	school graduation standards may be used until the high school graduation 18
	173	+	standards adopted by the State Board of Education are equal to the college 19
	174	+	and career readiness standards; 20
	175	+	(3) Develop a successful transition -to-work matrix that schools 21
	176	+	and students may use to help students develop employment skills; 22
	177	+	(4) Develop guidelines for secondary school intervention 23
	178	+	programs and transitional courses; 24
	179	+	(5) Develop guidelines for professional development for teachers 25
	180	+	of transitional courses and opportunities for collaboration among high 26
	181	+	school, vocational-technical school, and college faculty to ensure that 27
	182	+	transitional courses target gaps in students' college and career readiness 28
	183	+	skills; and 29
	184	+	(6) Provide the reports required under this subchapter. 30
	185	+	(b)(1) The council shall establish working groups of its members, or 31
	186	+	staff of the agencies or institutions employing the members, to direct the 32
	187	+	planning process and strategic implementation of its plans. 33
	188	+	(2) The working groups shall: 34
	189	+	(A) Develop goals and action plans; 35
	190	+	(B) Identify resources; and 36 SB246
	191	+
	192	+	6 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	193	+	(C) Determine expected outcomes to measure for each 1
	194	+	strategy promoting college and career readiness and postsecondary completion. 2
	195	+	3
	196	+	6-5-1104. Reporting requirements. 4
	197	+	(a) By June 30, 2014, the Council on Postsecondary Education and 5
	198	+	Career Readiness shall: 6
	199	+	(1) Develop a written plan to reduce remediation rates and 7
	200	+	increase postsecondary graduation rates, including without limitation: 8
	201	+	(A) Annual goals; 9
	202	+	(B) Action strategies; 10
	203	+	(C) Assigned responsibilities for implementing strategies; 11
	204	+	(D) Timelines; and 12
	205	+	(E) Reporting mechanisms; 13
	206	+	(2) Provide the written plan to: 14
	207	+	(A) The House Committee on Education and the Senate 15
	208	+	Committee on Education; 16
	209	+	(B) The board of directors of each school district and 17
	210	+	open-enrollment charter school in this state; and 18
	211	+	(C) The governing board of each state -supported 19
	212	+	institution of higher education in this state; and 20
	213	+	(3) Encourage each school district board of directors and the 21
	214	+	governing board of each state -supported institution of higher education in 22
	215	+	the state to participate in the council's plan and to work collaboratively to 23
	216	+	reduce the remediation rates and further postsecondary graduation and 24
	217	+	completion rates. 25
	218	+	(b) By June 30, 2015, and annually thereafter, the council shall 26
	219	+	report to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on 27
	220	+	Education: 28
	221	+	(1) The progress of the council's work for the year; and 29
	222	+	(2) Its recommendations, which may include without limitation 30
	223	+	proposals for legislative action. 31
	224	+	32
	225	+	SECTION 5. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 5, Subchapter 12 is amended 33
	226	+	to read as follows: 34
	227	+	Subchapter 12 — Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program Accelerated 35
	228	+	Learning 36 SB246
	229	+
	230	+	7 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	231	+	1
	232	+	6-5-1201. Established Definition. 2
	233	+	There is established the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive 3
	234	+	Program. 4
	235	+	As used in this subchapter, “accelerated learning” means an organized 5
	236	+	method of learning that enables a student to meet individual academic goals 6
	237	+	and graduation requirements while pursuing higher levels of skill 7
	238	+	development, including without limitation the following coursework: 8
	239	+	(1) A College Board pre -Advanced Placement and Advanced 9
	240	+	Placement course; 10
	241	+	(2) An International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme course; 11
	242	+	(3) A Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education 12
	243	+	course; 13
	244	+	(4) A concurrent credit course; and 14
	245	+	(5) A substantively similar course or program approved by the 15
	246	+	Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. 16
	247	+	17
	248	+	6-5-1202. Purpose of Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program 18
	249	+	accelerated learning — Grant funding. 19
	250	+	(a) The purpose of the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive 20
	251	+	Program accelerated learning is to: 21
	252	+	(1) Prepare more students for: 22
	253	+	(A) Success in higher education; 23
	254	+	(B) Postsecondary training; and 24
	255	+	(C) Careers in science, technology, engineering, and 25
	256	+	mathematics High-wage, high-demand careers; 26
	257	+	(2) Increase the number of students who graduate from 27
	258	+	institutions of higher education; and 28
	259	+	(3) Support and enhance Advanced Placement accelerated learning 29
	260	+	initiatives already operating in the state. 30
	261	+	(b)(1) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall 31
	262	+	provide grant funding to organizations that implement measures to achieve the 32
	263	+	goals of the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated 33
	264	+	learning as determined by the division . 34
	265	+	(2) An organization that receives grant funding to implement the 35
	266	+	Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program under this subchapter 36 SB246
	267	+
	268	+	8 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	269	+	shall: 1
	270	+	(A) Be affiliated with the National Math and Science 2
	271	+	Initiative; and 3
	272	+	(B) Have demonstrated success with an Advanced Placement 4
	273	+	Training and Incentive Program. 5
	274	+	(3) An organization that receives grant funding to provide the 6
	275	+	Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning may 7
	276	+	without limitation: 8
	277	+	(A) Develop public-private partnerships to advance math 9
	278	+	and science learning opportunities; 10
	279	+	(B) Generate revenue from public or private sector 11
	280	+	entities to support other opportunities; or and 12
	281	+	(C) Accept grants, donations, gifts, or bequests. 13
	282	+	(c) Grant funding provided by the division to an organization under 14
	283	+	this subchapter shall be used to: 15
	284	+	(1) Support and enhance the Advanced Placement Training and 16
	285	+	Incentive Program accelerated learning ; 17
	286	+	(2) Pay for personal services and operating expenses required to 18
	287	+	carry out the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated 19
	288	+	learning; and 20
	289	+	(3) Pay for technology, materials, assessments, and other 21
	290	+	resources used in the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program 22
	291	+	accelerated learning . 23
	292	+	24
	293	+	6-5-1203. Components and goals of Advanced Placement Training and 25
	294	+	Incentive Program accelerated learning . 26
	295	+	(a) The Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program Accelerated 27
	296	+	learning shall: 28
	297	+	(1) Provide advanced placement accelerated learning content 29
	298	+	directors to work, mentor, and provide resources to advanced placement and 30
	299	+	pre-advanced placement accelerated learning teachers in the areas of: 31
	300	+	(A) Mathematics; 32
	301	+	(B) Science; and 33
	302	+	(C) English; 34
	303	+	(2) Provide nationally recognized professional development for 35
	304	+	advanced placement and pre -advanced placement accelerated learning teachers 36 SB246
	305	+
	306	+	9 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	307	+	that will enhance the knowledge and pedagogical skills of the teachers; and 1
	308	+	(3) Develop and provide materials and resources for advanced 2
	309	+	placement and pre-advanced placement accelerated learning teachers. 3
	310	+	(b) The overall goal of the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive 4
	311	+	Program accelerated learning is to: 5
	312	+	(1) Increase the number of students enrolled in Advanced 6
	313	+	Placement accelerated learning mathematics, science, and English; 7
	314	+	(2) Increase the number of students who score three (3) or more 8
	315	+	on Advanced Placement exams; 9
	316	+	(3) Reduce the participation gaps and performance gaps in 10
	317	+	Advanced Placement classes between African -American, Hispanic, and Caucasian 11
	318	+	students; 12
	319	+	(4) Help public high schools Ensure school districts develop 13
	320	+	strong and successful Advanced Placement programs accelerated learning for 14
	321	+	public high schools; 15
	322	+	(5)(3) Enhance and augment Advanced Placement accelerated 16
	323	+	learning policies and initiatives in Arkansas; 17
	324	+	(6)(4) Provide the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive 18
	325	+	Program accelerated learning in every public high school that elects to 19
	326	+	participate and strengthen its Advanced Placement program accelerated 20
	327	+	learning; and 21
	328	+	(7) (5) Increase the number of students prepared to enter 22
	329	+	science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields in higher education 23
	330	+	or related training and occupations. 24
	331	+	25
	332	+	6-5-1204. Participation in Advanced Placement Training and Incentive 26
	333	+	Program accelerated learning . 27
	334	+	(a) An organization that receives grant funding to provide the 28
	335	+	Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning shall 29
	336	+	publish a list of program fees on or before June 1 each year. 30
	337	+	(b) A public high school is eligible to participate in the Advanced 31
	338	+	Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning . 32
	339	+	(c)(1) A public high school that chooses to participate in the 33
	340	+	Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program school's accelerated 34
	341	+	learning shall pay a participation and the required service fee determined by 35
	342	+	the organization. 36 SB246
	343	+
	344	+	10 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	345	+	(2) A public high school may choose either to participate fully 1
	346	+	in the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program or to participate on 2
	347	+	a limited basis, in which case the public high school shall pay a fee for 3
	348	+	each service the public high school elects to use. 4
	349	+	5
	350	+	6-5-1205. Funding for accelerated learning. 6
	351	+	(a) Contingent upon legislative appropriations and based on criteria 7
	352	+	established by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, a school 8
	353	+	that is offering accelerated learning may be awarded a one -time equipment and 9
	354	+	instructional materials grant for providing an accelerated learning course. 10
	355	+	(b) Contingent upon legislative appropriation and the availability of 11
	356	+	funding, the state may pay in full or on a pro rata basis the cost of the 12
	357	+	accelerated learning test fees. 13
	358	+	(c) The State Board of Education may promulgate rules to implement 14
	359	+	this subchapter. 15
20	360		16
21		-	Subtitle 17
22		-	TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS ACCESS ACT; AND 18
23		-	TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE 19
24		-	ARKANSAS CODE AS THEY RELATE TO 20
25		-	EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS. 21
26		-	22
27		-	BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 23
28		-	24
29		-	SECTION 1. DO NOT CODIFY. Title. 25
30		-	This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Arkansas ACCESS Act”. 26
31		-	27
32		-	SECTION 2. Arkansas Code § 6 -1-404(a), concerning the membership of 28
33		-	the School Leadership Coordinating Council, is amended to read as follows: 29
34		-	(a) The School Leadership Coordinating Council consists of seventeen 30
35		-	(17) the following members as follows: 31
36		-	(1) The Chair of the Arkansas Association of Colleges for 32
37		-	Teacher Education Council of Deans; 33
38		-	(2) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education; 34
39		-	(3) The Director of the Arkansas Leadership Academy; 35
40		-	(4)(2) The Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
41		-
42		-	2 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
43		-
44		-
45		-	(5)(3) The Director of the Division of Career and Technical 1
46		-	Education; 2
47		-	(6) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Association of 3
48		-	Educational Administrators; 4
49		-	(7) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Education 5
50		-	Association; 6
51		-	(8) The Executive Director of the Arkansas School Boards 7
52		-	Association; 8
53		-	(9) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Association for 9
54		-	Supervision and Curriculum Development; 10
55		-	(10) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Rural Ed 11
56		-	Association; 12
57		-	(11) A representative from the Arkansas Professors of 13
58		-	Educational Administration; 14
59		-	(12) A representative from the Arkansas Center for Executive 15
60		-	Leadership; 16
61		-	(13) A representative from an education service cooperative; 17
62		-	(14) A representative from the Arkansas Public School Resource 18
63		-	Center, Inc.; 19
64		-	(15) A representative from the Arkansas State Teachers 20
65		-	Association; 21
66		-	(16)(4) The Chair of the Senate Committee on Education or the 22
67		-	chair's designee; and 23
68		-	(17)(5) The Chair of the House Committee on Education or the 24
69		-	chair's designee; and 25
70		-	(6) Other stakeholders as deemed necessary by the members 26
71		-	designated under subdivisions (a)(1) -(5) of this section. 27
72		-	28
73		-	SECTION 3. Arkansas Code § 6 -1-404(d), concerning meetings of the 29
74		-	School Leadership Coordinating Council, is amended to read as follows: 30
75		-	(d)(1) The council shall meet at the times and places that the Chair 31
76		-	of the School Leadership Coordinating Council deems necessary but no less 32
77		-	than four (4) times per year. 33
78		-	(2) Seven (7) A majority of the members of the council shall 34
79		-	constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business. 35
80		-	(3) All actions of the council are by quorum. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
81		-
82		-	3 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
83		-
84		-
85		-	1
86		-	SECTION 4. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 5, Subchapter 11 is 2
87		-	repealed. 3
88		-	Subchapter 11 — Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness 4
89		-	6-5-1101. Legislative intent. 5
90		-	The General Assembly finds that: 6
91		-	(1) Public schools should help all students: 7
92		-	(A) Have the reading, writing, and mathematics skills 8
93		-	needed to succeed in all first-year coursework in associate and baccalaureate 9
94		-	degree programs in non -mathematics-based majors; and 10
95		-	(B) Be ready for as many career options as possible by 11
96		-	having a base level of employability; and 12
97		-	(2) The development of college and career readiness standards 13
98		-	should be undertaken as an integrative process among: 14
99		-	(A) The General Assembly; 15
100		-	(B) State agencies that regulate and support the public 16
101		-	educational systems of the state; 17
102		-	(C) Kindergarten, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary 18
103		-	educational institutions; and 19
104		-	(D) The public. 20
105		-	21
106		-	6-5-1102. Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness 22
107		-	established — Membership — Meetings. 23
108		-	(a) This subchapter establishes the Council on Postsecondary Education 24
109		-	and Career Readiness to facilitate the collaboration of kindergarten, 25
110		-	elementary, secondary, and postsecondary educational institutions in Arkansas 26
111		-	in developing college and career readiness standards that align school 27
112		-	curriculum and graduation standards with postsecondary education requirements 28
113		-	and business community expectations for employability. 29
114		-	(b) The council shall consist of eleven (11) members as follows: 30
115		-	(1) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education or 31
116		-	his or her designee; 32
117		-	(2) The Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education or his 33
118		-	or her designee; 34
119		-	(3) The Director of the Division of Career and Technical 35
120		-	Education or his or her designee; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
121		-
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123		-
124		-
125		-	(4) The Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission 1
126		-	or his or her designee; 2
127		-	(5) The Director of the Division of Workforce Services or his or 3
128		-	her designee; 4
129		-	(6) A president or chancellor of an Arkansas four -year 5
130		-	institution of higher education or his or her designee, appointed annually by 6
131		-	the Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education; 7
132		-	(7) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Association of 8
133		-	Educational Administrators or his or her designee; 9
134		-	(8) The Executive Director of Arkansas Community Colleges or his 10
135		-	or her designee; 11
136		-	(9) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Education Association 12
137		-	or his or her designee; 13
138		-	(10) The Executive Director of the Arkansas School Boards 14
139		-	Association or his or her designee; and 15
140		-	(11) The President of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and 16
141		-	the Associated Industries of Arkansas or his or her designee. 17
142		-	(c)(1) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education or his 18
143		-	or her designee shall call the first meeting of the council and serve as 19
144		-	chair for the first meeting. 20
145		-	(2) The first meeting shall occur within thirty (30) days of the 21
146		-	effective date of this subchapter. 22
147		-	(d) At the first meeting of the council and annually thereafter, the 23
148		-	voting members of the council shall elect one (1) member to serve as chair 24
149		-	for one (1) year. 25
150		-	(e)(1) All members are voting members except the chair, who may vote 26
151		-	only to break a tie vote. 27
152		-	(2) A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the 28
153		-	transaction of business. 29
154		-	(f) The council shall meet at least three (3) times in a calendar 30
155		-	year. 31
156		-	(g) The Department of Education shall provide meeting space and staff 32
157		-	for the council. 33
158		-	(h) Council members shall serve without pay and shall not receive 34
159		-	expense reimbursement except from the agency or institution employing the 35
160		-	member. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
161		-
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163		-
164		-
165		-	1
166		-	6-5-1103. Powers and duties. 2
167		-	(a) The Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness shall: 3
168		-	(1) Develop a unified strategy to: 4
169		-	(A) Reduce remediation rates among high school graduates 5
170		-	entering postsecondary education by at least fifty percent (50%) by the year 6
171		-	2020; and 7
172		-	(B) Increase postsecondary graduation and completion 8
173		-	rates; 9
174		-	(2)(A) Support college and career readiness standards that: 10
175		-	(i) Require higher performance levels than those 11
176		-	currently required for high school graduation; and 12
177		-	(ii) Promote accelerated learning opportunities, 13
178		-	including without limitation Advanced Placement courses, concurrent credit 14
179		-	opportunities, and other accelerated opportunities with college or 15
180		-	vocational-technical school assistance to ensure that all students have the 16
181		-	skills to be successful in either employment or postsecondary education. 17
182		-	(B) College and career readiness standards shall be 18
183		-	implemented with the understanding that until July 1, 2022, interim high 19
184		-	school graduation standards may be used until the high school graduation 20
185		-	standards adopted by the State Board of Education are equal to the college 21
186		-	and career readiness standards; 22
187		-	(3) Develop a successful transition -to-work matrix that schools 23
188		-	and students may use to help students develop employment skills; 24
189		-	(4) Develop guidelines for secondary school intervention 25
190		-	programs and transitional courses; 26
191		-	(5) Develop guidelines for professional development for teachers 27
192		-	of transitional courses and opportunities for collaboration among high 28
193		-	school, vocational-technical school, and college faculty to ensure that 29
194		-	transitional courses target gaps in students' college and career readiness 30
195		-	skills; and 31
196		-	(6) Provide the reports required under this subchapter. 32
197		-	(b)(1) The council shall establish working groups of its members, or 33
198		-	staff of the agencies or institutions employing the members, to direct the 34
199		-	planning process and strategic implementation of its plans. 35
200		-	(2) The working groups shall: 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
201		-
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203		-
204		-
205		-	(A) Develop goals and action plans; 1
206		-	(B) Identify resources; and 2
207		-	(C) Determine expected outcomes to measure for each 3
208		-	strategy promoting college and career readiness and postsecondary completion. 4
209		-	5
210		-	6-5-1104. Reporting requirements. 6
211		-	(a) By June 30, 2014, the Council on Postsecondary Education and 7
212		-	Career Readiness shall: 8
213		-	(1) Develop a written plan to reduce remediation rates and 9
214		-	increase postsecondary graduation rates, including without limitation: 10
215		-	(A) Annual goals; 11
216		-	(B) Action strategies; 12
217		-	(C) Assigned responsibilities for implementing strategies; 13
218		-	(D) Timelines; and 14
219		-	(E) Reporting mechanisms; 15
220		-	(2) Provide the written plan to: 16
221		-	(A) The House Committee on Education and the Senate 17
222		-	Committee on Education; 18
223		-	(B) The board of directors of each school district and 19
224		-	open-enrollment charter school in this state; and 20
225		-	(C) The governing board of each state -supported 21
226		-	institution of higher education in this state; and 22
227		-	(3) Encourage each school district board of directors and the 23
228		-	governing board of each state -supported institution of higher education in 24
229		-	the state to participate in the council's plan and to work collaboratively to 25
230		-	reduce the remediation rates and further postsecondary graduation and 26
231		-	completion rates. 27
232		-	(b) By June 30, 2015, and annually thereafter, the council shall 28
233		-	report to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on 29
234		-	Education: 30
235		-	(1) The progress of the council's work for the year; and 31
236		-	(2) Its recommendations, which may include without limitation 32
237		-	proposals for legislative action. 33
238		-	34
239		-	SECTION 5. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 5, Subchapter 12 is amended 35
240		-	to read as follows: 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
241		-
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243		-
244		-
245		-	Subchapter 12 — Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program Accelerated 1
246		-	Learning 2
247		-	3
248		-	6-5-1201. Established Definition. 4
249		-	There is established the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive 5
250		-	Program. 6
251		-	As used in this subchapter, “accelerated learning” means an organized 7
252		-	method of learning that enables a student to meet individual academic goals 8
253		-	and graduation requirements while pursuing higher levels of skill 9
254		-	development, including without limitation the following coursework: 10
255		-	(1) A College Board pre -Advanced Placement and Advanced 11
256		-	Placement course; 12
257		-	(2) An International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme course; 13
258		-	(3) A Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education 14
259		-	course; 15
260		-	(4) A concurrent credit course; and 16
261		-	(5) A substantively similar course or program approved by the 17
262		-	Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. 18
263		-	19
264		-	6-5-1202. Purpose of Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program 20
265		-	accelerated learning — Grant funding. 21
266		-	(a) The purpose of the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive 22
267		-	Program accelerated learning is to: 23
268		-	(1) Prepare more students for: 24
269		-	(A) Success in higher education; 25
270		-	(B) Postsecondary training; and 26
271		-	(C) Careers in science, technology, engineering, and 27
272		-	mathematics High-wage, high-demand careers; 28
273		-	(2) Increase the number of students who graduate from 29
274		-	institutions of higher education; and 30
275		-	(3) Support and enhance Advanced Placement accelerated learning 31
276		-	initiatives already operating in the state. 32
277		-	(b)(1) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall 33
278		-	provide grant funding to organizations that implement measures to achieve the 34
279		-	goals of the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated 35
280		-	learning as determined by the division . 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
281		-
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283		-
284		-
285		-	(2) An organization that receives grant funding to implement the 1
286		-	Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program under this subchapter 2
287		-	shall: 3
288		-	(A) Be affiliated with the National Math and Science 4
289		-	Initiative; and 5
290		-	(B) Have demonstrated success with an Advanced Placement 6
291		-	Training and Incentive Program. 7
292		-	(3) An organization that receives grant funding to provide the 8
293		-	Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning may 9
294		-	without limitation: 10
295		-	(A) Develop public-private partnerships to advance math 11
296		-	and science learning opportunities; 12
297		-	(B) Generate revenue from public or private sector 13
298		-	entities to support other opportunities; or and 14
299		-	(C) Accept grants, donations, gifts, or bequests. 15
300		-	(c) Grant funding provided by the division to an organization under 16
301		-	this subchapter shall be used to: 17
302		-	(1) Support and enhance the Advanced Placement Training and 18
303		-	Incentive Program accelerated learning ; 19
304		-	(2) Pay for personal services and operating expenses required to 20
305		-	carry out the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated 21
306		-	learning; and 22
307		-	(3) Pay for technology, materials, assessments, and other 23
308		-	resources used in the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program 24
309		-	accelerated learning . 25
310		-	26
311		-	6-5-1203. Components and goals of Advanced Placement Training and 27
312		-	Incentive Program accelerated learning . 28
313		-	(a) The Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program Accelerated 29
314		-	learning shall: 30
315		-	(1) Provide advanced placement accelerated learning content 31
316		-	directors to work, mentor, and provide resources to advanced placement and 32
317		-	pre-advanced placement accelerated learning teachers in the areas of: 33
318		-	(A) Mathematics; 34
319		-	(B) Science; and 35
320		-	(C) English; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
321		-
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323		-
324		-
325		-	(2) Provide nationally recognized professional development for 1
326		-	advanced placement and pre -advanced placement accelerated learning teachers 2
327		-	that will enhance the knowledge and pedagogical skills of the teachers; and 3
328		-	(3) Develop and provide materials and resources for advanced 4
329		-	placement and pre-advanced placement accelerated learning teachers. 5
330		-	(b) The overall goal of the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive 6
331		-	Program accelerated learning is to: 7
332		-	(1) Increase the number of students enrolled in Advanced 8
333		-	Placement accelerated learning mathematics, science, and English; 9
334		-	(2) Increase the number of students who score three (3) or more 10
335		-	on Advanced Placement exams; 11
336		-	(3) Reduce the participation gaps and performance gaps in 12
337		-	Advanced Placement classes between African -American, Hispanic, and Caucasian 13
338		-	students; 14
339		-	(4) Help public high schools Ensure school districts develop 15
340		-	strong and successful Advanced Placement programs accelerated learning for 16
341		-	public high schools; 17
342		-	(5)(3) Enhance and augment Advanced Placement accelerated 18
343		-	learning policies and initiatives in Arkansas; 19
344		-	(6)(4) Provide the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive 20
345		-	Program accelerated learning in every public high school that elects to 21
346		-	participate and strengthen its Advanced Placement program accelerated 22
347		-	learning; and 23
348		-	(7) (5) Increase the number of students prepared to enter 24
349		-	science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields in higher education 25
350		-	or related training and occupations. 26
351		-	27
352		-	6-5-1204. Participation in Advanced Placement Training and Incentive 28
353		-	Program accelerated learning . 29
354		-	(a) An organization that receives grant funding to provide the 30
355		-	Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning shall 31
356		-	publish a list of program fees on or before June 1 each year. 32
357		-	(b) A public high school is eligible to participate in the Advanced 33
358		-	Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning . 34
359		-	(c)(1) A public high school that chooses to participate in the 35
360		-	Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program school's accelerated 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
361		-
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363		-
364		-
365		-	learning shall pay a participation and the required service fee determined by 1
366		-	the organization. 2
367		-	(2) A public high school may choose either to participate fully 3
368		-	in the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program or to participate on 4
369		-	a limited basis, in which case the public high school shall pay a fee for 5
370		-	each service the public high school elects to use. 6
371		-	7
372		-	6-5-1205. Funding for accelerated learning. 8
373		-	(a) Contingent upon legislative appropriations and based on criteria 9
374		-	established by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, a school 10
375		-	that is offering accelerated learning may be awarded a one -time equipment and 11
376		-	instructional materials grant for providing an accelerated learning course. 12
377		-	(b) Contingent upon legislative appropriation and the availability of 13
378		-	funding, the state may pay in full or on a pro rata basis the cost of the 14
379		-	accelerated learning test fees. 15
380		-	(c) The State Board of Education may promulgate rules to implement 16
381		-	this subchapter. 17
382		-	18
383		-	SECTION 6. Arkansas Code § 6 -13-629(a)(3)-(5), concerning the training 19
384		-	and instruction regarding interpretation of audit reports that school board 20
385		-	of directors members must receive, is amended to read as follows: 21
386		-	(3)(A) The training and instruction required under this section 22
387		-	shall include: 23
388		-	(i) Topics relevant to school laws and school 24
389		-	operations; 25
390		-	(ii) The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the 26
391		-	members of the a board of directors, including without limitation: 27
392		-	(a) Legal requirements, including without 28
393		-	limitation: 29
394		-	(1) The items listed or required by the 30
395		-	Legislative Joint Auditing Committee under § 6 -1-101; and 31
396		-	(2) Other financial laws, rules, or 32
397		-	federal regulations designated by the Division of Elementary and Secondary 33
398		-	Education; 34
399		-	(b) Role differentiation; 35
400		-	(c) Financial management, including without 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
401		-
402		-	11 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
403		-
404		-
405		-	limitation how to read and interpret an audit report; and 1
406		-	(d) Improving student achievement; and 2
407		-	(iii) Information regarding school safety and 3
408		-	student discipline. 4
409		-	(B) The training or instruction on how to read and 5
410		-	interpret an audit report required under subdivision (a)(3)(A)(ii)(c) of this 6
411		-	section shall be conducted: 7
412		-	(i) By a person who: 8
413		-	(a) Is licensed to practice accounting by the 9
414		-	Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy; 10
415		-	(b) Has prior experience in conducting a 11
416		-	school district financial audit; 12
417		-	(c) Is not an employee of Arkansas Legislative 13
418		-	Audit unless the training or instruction is conducted for the boards of 14
419		-	directors of multiple school districts; and 15
420		-	(d) Is not the person conducting the annual 16
421		-	audit or other financial audit of the school district unless the training or 17
422		-	instruction is presented in a large group setting sponsored by a statewide or 18
423		-	regional organization that is attended by multiple school districts; 19
424		-	(ii) Under the consultation or supervision of an 20
425		-	individual who qualifies under subdivision (a)(3)(B)(i) of this section as 21
426		-	part of a program that is provided: 22
427		-	(a) By an institution of higher education 23
428		-	located in Arkansas; or 24
429		-	(b) From instruction sponsored or approved by 25
430		-	the Department of Education; or 26
431		-	(c) By an in-service training conducted by or 27
432		-	through the Arkansas School Boards Association; and 28
433		-	(iii) By electronic means or in person, or both. 29
434		-	(4) Hours of training and instruction obtained in excess of the 30
435		-	minimum requirements each year may accumulate and be carried forward from 31
436		-	year to year. 32
437		-	(5) This instruction may be received from an institution of 33
438		-	higher education in this state , or from instruction sponsored or approved by 34
439		-	the Department of Education, or by an in -service training program conducted 35
440		-	by or through the Arkansas School Boards Association department. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
441		-
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443		-
444		-
445		-	1
446		-	SECTION 7. Arkansas Code § 6 -13-808 is repealed. 2
447		-	6-13-808. The Arkansas Traveling Teacher Program. 3
448		-	(a) The Arkansas Traveling Teacher Program is hereby established and 4
449		-	shall be administered by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education 5
450		-	with the assistance of public school districts and education service 6
451		-	cooperatives. 7
452		-	(b)(1) Pursuant to the provisions of this section, and to the extent 8
453		-	sufficient funding is available, the following persons and public school 9
454		-	districts may enter into an agreement to provide traveling teacher services 10
455		-	for one (1) or more receiving school districts for one (1) or more courses 11
456		-	required by the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and 12
457		-	School Districts and any Advanced Placement courses required by § 6 -16-1204: 13
458		-	(A) A traveling teacher who is appropriately licensed in 14
459		-	Arkansas as a teacher and employed on a full -time equivalent basis by a host 15
460		-	school district; 16
461		-	(B) A host school district that is an Arkansas public 17
462		-	school district with a student population of eight thousand (8,000) students 18
463		-	or fewer and that desires to provide traveling teacher services to a 19
464		-	receiving school district; and 20
465		-	(C) A receiving school district that is a public school 21
466		-	district other than the host school district and that desires to receive 22
467		-	traveling teacher services. 23
468		-	(2) The parties shall enter into a written agreement, in the 24
469		-	form established by the division, that shall include without limitation the 25
470		-	following: 26
471		-	(A) That the traveling teacher is to provide professional 27
472		-	teaching services to the receiving school district for one (1) or more 28
473		-	required courses; 29
474		-	(B) The amount of the bonus to be provided to the 30
475		-	traveling teacher under subdivision (c)(1)(A) of this section; 31
476		-	(C) For each course to be taught under the agreement: 32
477		-	(i) A description of the course; 33
478		-	(ii) The time and day for teaching each course; and 34
479		-	(iii) The exact location where the course will be 35
480		-	taught; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
481		-
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483		-
484		-
485		-	(D)(i) Whether the agreement is for a school semester or a 1
486		-	school year. 2
487		-	(ii) No agreement shall be for a time period longer 3
488		-	than a school year or shorter than a school semester; 4
489		-	(E)(i) That the receiving school district will reimburse 5
490		-	the host school district for the time the traveling teacher is not working in 6
491		-	the host school district. 7
492		-	(ii) The reimbursement shall be the receiving school 8
493		-	district's pro rata share of the traveling teacher's time based on the hourly 9
494		-	rate of the traveling teacher's contract with the host school district; 10
495		-	(F) That at all times during the period of the agreement, 11
496		-	the traveling teacher is an employee of the host school district and is 12
497		-	subject to the personnel policies and contractual obligations of the host 13
498		-	school district; and 14
499		-	(G)(i) That sufficient time will be allowed for the 15
500		-	traveling teacher to travel to and from the host school district and the 16
501		-	receiving school district. 17
502		-	(ii) The division shall not approve an agreement 18
503		-	under this section unless the agreement requires the traveling teacher to be 19
504		-	physically present in the receiving school district while the traveling 20
505		-	teacher is teaching any course specified in the agreement. 21
506		-	(3) The agreement shall be reviewed and approved by the division 22
507		-	under subsection (f) of this section. 23
508		-	(c) To the extent the agreement is approved by the division: 24
509		-	(1)(A) Upon completion of the traveling teacher's services 25
510		-	provided under the agreement and under the terms of the agreement, the host 26
511		-	school district shall pay the traveling teacher, in addition to the amount 27
512		-	required by the teacher's annual teacher's contract with the host school 28
513		-	district a bonus of either: 29
514		-	(i) Two thousand dollars ($2,000) for a semester 30
515		-	agreement; or 31
516		-	(ii) Four thousand dollars ($4,000) for a full school 32
517		-	year agreement. 33
518		-	(B) The division shall reimburse the host school district 34
519		-	for the amount of bonus paid to the traveling teacher; and 35
520		-	(2)(A) The host school district shall reimburse the traveling 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
521		-
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523		-
524		-
525		-	teacher for expenses related to travel to and from a receiving school 1
526		-	district at the appropriate state rate of reimbursement in existence and 2
527		-	approved by the Department of Finance and Administration for the school year 3
528		-	in which the traveling teacher's services are provided. 4
529		-	(B) The division shall reimburse the host school district 5
530		-	for the amount of travel reimbursement paid by the host school district to 6
531		-	the traveling teacher. 7
532		-	(d) Neither the division nor the State of Arkansas shall be obligated 8
533		-	or liable to reimburse any bonus or travel expenses incurred under an 9
534		-	agreement for traveling teacher services under this section if the division 10
535		-	has not reviewed and approved the entire agreement. 11
536		-	(e) The division may, if feasible and if funding is available, 12
537		-	establish an online registry of public school teachers willing to enter into 13
538		-	an agreement for traveling teacher services under this section with 14
539		-	information concerning the teacher's employing school district and any course 15
540		-	the teacher is qualified to teach. 16
541		-	(f)(1) All proposed agreements among a host school district, a 17
542		-	receiving school district, and a traveling teacher shall be submitted to the 18
543		-	division by a date certain for review and approval by the division. 19
544		-	(2) The division shall review each agreement with all requisite 20
545		-	authority to approve or deny the agreement based on the provisions of law, 21
546		-	rule, availability of funding, and discretionary determination as to the best 22
547		-	use of state resources and funding. 23
548		-	(3) The division shall endeavor to consider approval of an 24
549		-	agreement to: 25
550		-	(A) Place a traveling teacher with a receiving school 26
551		-	district to maximize the efficiency of the traveling teacher's service to 27
552		-	both the host and receiving school districts; and 28
553		-	(B) Minimize the extent and duration of any travel 29
554		-	required. 30
555		-	(g)(1) The division shall establish any rules and agreement forms 31
556		-	necessary for the administration of the Arkansas Traveling Teacher Program. 32
557		-	(2) In establishing the rules, the division shall: 33
558		-	(A) Prioritize the approval of agreements for traveling 34
559		-	teacher services based on subject -area course needs; 35
560		-	(B) Establish appropriate travel limitations; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
561		-
562		-	15 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
563		-
564		-
565		-	(C) Develop a method of equitable distribution of 1
566		-	traveling teachers among the area's education service cooperatives; and 2
567		-	(D) Provide a means by which education service 3
568		-	cooperatives may assist in facilitating traveling teachers. 4
569		-	(h) No provision of this section is intended or should be interpreted 5
570		-	to waive any immunity or defense of the State of Arkansas or its various 6
571		-	agencies, boards, or commissions and no person shall be deemed to have any 7
572		-	legal entitlement, recourse, or cause of action against the State of Arkansas 8
573		-	or its various agencies, boards, or commissions based on the terms, 9
574		-	conditions, or provisions of this section. 10
575		-	(i) [Repealed.] 11
576		-	12
577		-	SECTION 8. Arkansas Code § 6-15-202(f)(21), concerning reporting of 13
578		-	statutory requirements of accelerated learning by a superintendent, is 14
579		-	amended to read as follows: 15
580		-	16
581		-	(21) Section 6-16-1201 et seq. and § 6-5-1201 et seq. concerning 17
582		-	advanced placement and concurrent enrollment accelerated learning ; 18
	361	+	SECTION 6. Arkansas Code § 6-13-629(a)(3)-(5), concerning the training 17
	362	+	and instruction regarding interpretation of audit reports that school board 18
	363	+	of directors members must receive, is amended to read as follows: 19
	364	+	(3)(A) The training and instruction required under this section 20
	365	+	shall include: 21
	366	+	(i) Topics relevant to school laws and school 22
	367	+	operations; 23
	368	+	(ii) The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the 24
	369	+	members of the a board of directors, including without limitation: 25
	370	+	(a) Legal requirements, including without 26
	371	+	limitation: 27
	372	+	(1) The items listed or required by the 28
	373	+	Legislative Joint Auditing Committee under § 6 -1-101; and 29
	374	+	(2) Other financial laws, rules, or 30
	375	+	federal regulations designated by the Division of Elementary and Secondary 31
	376	+	Education; 32
	377	+	(b) Role differentiation; 33
	378	+	(c) Financial management, including without 34
	379	+	limitation how to read and interpret an audit report; and 35
	380	+	(d) Improving student achievement; and 36 SB246
	381	+
	382	+	11 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	383	+	(iii) Information regarding school safety and 1
	384	+	student discipline. 2
	385	+	(B) The training or instruction on how to read and 3
	386	+	interpret an audit report required under subdivision (a)(3)(A)(ii)(c) of this 4
	387	+	section shall be conducted: 5
	388	+	(i) By a person who: 6
	389	+	(a) Is licensed to practice accounting by the 7
	390	+	Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy; 8
	391	+	(b) Has prior experience in conducting a 9
	392	+	school district financial audit; 10
	393	+	(c) Is not an employee of Arkansas Legislative 11
	394	+	Audit unless the training or instruction is conducted for the boards of 12
	395	+	directors of multiple school districts; and 13
	396	+	(d) Is not the person conducting the annual 14
	397	+	audit or other financial audit of the school district unless the training or 15
	398	+	instruction is presented in a large group setting sponsored by a statewide or 16
	399	+	regional organization that is attended by multiple school districts; 17
	400	+	(ii) Under the consultation or supervision of an 18
	401	+	individual who qualifies under subdivision (a)(3)(B)(i) of this section as 19
	402	+	part of a program that is provided: 20
	403	+	(a) By an institution of higher education 21
	404	+	located in Arkansas; or 22
	405	+	(b) From instruction sponsored or approved by 23
	406	+	the Department of Education; or 24
	407	+	(c) By an in-service training conducted by or 25
	408	+	through the Arkansas School Boards Association; and 26
	409	+	(iii) By electronic means or in person, or both. 27
	410	+	(4) Hours of training and instruction obtained in excess of the 28
	411	+	minimum requirements each year may accumulate and be carried forward from 29
	412	+	year to year. 30
	413	+	(5) This instruction may be received from an institution of 31
	414	+	higher education in this state , or from instruction sponsored or approved by 32
	415	+	the Department of Education, or by an in -service training program conducted 33
	416	+	by or through the Arkansas School Boards Association department. 34
	417	+	35
	418	+	SECTION 7. Arkansas Code § 6 -13-808 is repealed. 36 SB246
	419	+
	420	+	12 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	421	+	6-13-808. The Arkansas Traveling Teacher Program. 1
	422	+	(a) The Arkansas Traveling Teacher Program is hereby established and 2
	423	+	shall be administered by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education 3
	424	+	with the assistance of public school districts and education service 4
	425	+	cooperatives. 5
	426	+	(b)(1) Pursuant to the provisions of this section, and to the extent 6
	427	+	sufficient funding is available, the following persons and public school 7
	428	+	districts may enter into an agreement to provide traveling teacher services 8
	429	+	for one (1) or more receiving school districts for one (1) or more courses 9
	430	+	required by the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and 10
	431	+	School Districts and any Advanced Placement courses required by § 6 -16-1204: 11
	432	+	(A) A traveling teacher who is appropriately licensed in 12
	433	+	Arkansas as a teacher and employed on a full -time equivalent basis by a host 13
	434	+	school district; 14
	435	+	(B) A host school district that is an Arkansas public 15
	436	+	school district with a student population of eight thousand (8,000) students 16
	437	+	or fewer and that desires to provide traveling teacher services to a 17
	438	+	receiving school district; and 18
	439	+	(C) A receiving school district that is a public school 19
	440	+	district other than the host school district and that desires to receive 20
	441	+	traveling teacher services. 21
	442	+	(2) The parties shall enter into a written agreement, in the 22
	443	+	form established by the division, that shall include without limitation the 23
	444	+	following: 24
	445	+	(A) That the traveling teacher is to provide professional 25
	446	+	teaching services to the receiving school district for one (1) or more 26
	447	+	required courses; 27
	448	+	(B) The amount of the bonus to be provided to the 28
	449	+	traveling teacher under subdivision (c)(1)(A) of this section; 29
	450	+	(C) For each course to be taught under the agreement: 30
	451	+	(i) A description of the course; 31
	452	+	(ii) The time and day for teaching each course; and 32
	453	+	(iii) The exact location where the course will be 33
	454	+	taught; 34
	455	+	(D)(i) Whether the agreement is for a school semester or a 35
	456	+	school year. 36 SB246
	457	+
	458	+	13 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	459	+	(ii) No agreement shall be for a time period longer 1
	460	+	than a school year or shorter than a school semester; 2
	461	+	(E)(i) That the receiving school district will reimburse 3
	462	+	the host school district for the time the traveling teacher is not working in 4
	463	+	the host school district. 5
	464	+	(ii) The reimbursement shall be the receiving school 6
	465	+	district's pro rata share of the traveling teacher's time based on the hourly 7
	466	+	rate of the traveling teacher's contract with the host school district; 8
	467	+	(F) That at all times during the period of the agreement, 9
	468	+	the traveling teacher is an employee of the host school district and is 10
	469	+	subject to the personnel policies and contractual obligations of the host 11
	470	+	school district; and 12
	471	+	(G)(i) That sufficient time will be allowed for the 13
	472	+	traveling teacher to travel to and from the host school district and the 14
	473	+	receiving school district. 15
	474	+	(ii) The division shall not approve an agreement 16
	475	+	under this section unless the agreement requires the traveling teacher to be 17
	476	+	physically present in the receiving school district while the traveling 18
	477	+	teacher is teaching any course specified in the agreement. 19
	478	+	(3) The agreement shall be reviewed and approved by the division 20
	479	+	under subsection (f) of this section. 21
	480	+	(c) To the extent the agreement is approved by the division: 22
	481	+	(1)(A) Upon completion of the traveling teacher's services 23
	482	+	provided under the agreement and under the terms of the agreement, the host 24
	483	+	school district shall pay the traveling teacher, in addition to the amount 25
	484	+	required by the teacher's annual teacher's contract with the host school 26
	485	+	district a bonus of either: 27
	486	+	(i) Two thousand dollars ($2,000) for a semester 28
	487	+	agreement; or 29
	488	+	(ii) Four thousand dollars ($4,000) for a full school 30
	489	+	year agreement. 31
	490	+	(B) The division shall reimburse the host school district 32
	491	+	for the amount of bonus paid to the traveling teacher; and 33
	492	+	(2)(A) The host school district shall reimburse the traveling 34
	493	+	teacher for expenses related to travel to and from a receiving school 35
	494	+	district at the appropriate state rate of reimbursement in existence and 36 SB246
	495	+
	496	+	14 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	497	+	approved by the Department of Finance and Administration for the school year 1
	498	+	in which the traveling teacher's services are provided. 2
	499	+	(B) The division shall reimburse the host school district 3
	500	+	for the amount of travel reimbursement paid by the host school district to 4
	501	+	the traveling teacher. 5
	502	+	(d) Neither the division nor the State of Arkansas shall be obligated 6
	503	+	or liable to reimburse any bonus or travel expenses incurred under an 7
	504	+	agreement for traveling teacher services under this section if the division 8
	505	+	has not reviewed and approved the entire agreement. 9
	506	+	(e) The division may, if feasible and if funding is available, 10
	507	+	establish an online registry of public school teachers willing to enter into 11
	508	+	an agreement for traveling teacher services under this section with 12
	509	+	information concerning the teacher's employing school district and any course 13
	510	+	the teacher is qualified to teach. 14
	511	+	(f)(1) All proposed agreements among a host school district, a 15
	512	+	receiving school district, and a traveling teacher shall be submitted to the 16
	513	+	division by a date certain for review and approval by the division. 17
	514	+	(2) The division shall review each agreement with all requisite 18
	515	+	authority to approve or deny the agreement based on the provisions of law, 19
	516	+	rule, availability of funding, and discretionary determination as to the best 20
	517	+	use of state resources and funding. 21
	518	+	(3) The division shall endeavor to consider approval of an 22
	519	+	agreement to: 23
	520	+	(A) Place a traveling teacher with a receiving school 24
	521	+	district to maximize the efficiency of the traveling teacher's service to 25
	522	+	both the host and receiving school districts; and 26
	523	+	(B) Minimize the extent and duration of any travel 27
	524	+	required. 28
	525	+	(g)(1) The division shall establish any rules and agreement forms 29
	526	+	necessary for the administration of the Arkansas Traveling Teacher Program. 30
	527	+	(2) In establishing the rules, the division shall: 31
	528	+	(A) Prioritize the approval of agreements for traveling 32
	529	+	teacher services based on subject -area course needs; 33
	530	+	(B) Establish appropriate travel limitations; 34
	531	+	(C) Develop a method of equitable distribution of 35
	532	+	traveling teachers among the area's education service cooperatives; and 36 SB246
	533	+
	534	+	15 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	535	+	(D) Provide a means by which education service 1
	536	+	cooperatives may assist in facilitating traveling teachers. 2
	537	+	(h) No provision of this section is intended or should be interpreted 3
	538	+	to waive any immunity or defense of the State of Arkansas or its various 4
	539	+	agencies, boards, or commissions and no person shall be deemed to have any 5
	540	+	legal entitlement, recourse, or cause of action against the State of Arkansas 6
	541	+	or its various agencies, boards, or commissions based on the terms, 7
	542	+	conditions, or provisions of this section. 8
	543	+	(i) [Repealed.] 9
	544	+	10
	545	+	SECTION 8. Arkansas Code § 6 -15-202 is amended to read as follows: 11
	546	+	6-15-202. Accreditation — Development of rules, criteria, and 12
	547	+	standards. 13
	548	+	(a)(1) The State Board of Education is authorized and directed to 14
	549	+	develop comprehensive rules, criteria, and standards to be used by the state 15
	550	+	board and the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education in the 16
	551	+	accreditation of school programs in elementary and secondary public schools 17
	552	+	in this state. 18
	553	+	(2) In its rules, criteria, and standards promulgated under this 19
	554	+	subchapter, the state board shall include a provision regarding the 20
	555	+	attainment of unitary status for school districts that have not been released 21
	556	+	from court supervision over desegregation obligations. 22
	557	+	(b)(1) All public schools and school districts shall meet the 23
	558	+	Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts 24
	559	+	that shall be adopted by the state board. 25
	560	+	(2)(A) Except as provided under subdivisions (b)(2)(B) -(E) of 26
	561	+	this section, upon Upon a showing of just cause, the state board may grant a 27
	562	+	waiver of any standard for accreditation for a time period of no longer than 28
	563	+	one (1) school year, except that no curriculum, student performance, school 29
	564	+	performance, or any standard required by law may be waived for any time 30
	565	+	period. 31
	566	+	(B) The state board may grant a waiver of a standard for 32
	567	+	accreditation for a time period of longer than one (1) school year to a 33
	568	+	school district for the purpose of combining or embedding the curriculum 34
	569	+	frameworks from two (2) separate courses into one (1) combined or embedded 35
	570	+	course if: 36 SB246
	571	+
	572	+	16 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	573	+	(i) The school district timely makes an application 1
	574	+	for approval of the combined or embedded course to the division under the 2
	575	+	rules adopted by the state board; 3
	576	+	(ii) The school district certifies in writing to the 4
	577	+	state board that all of the curriculum frameworks for the two (2) separate 5
	578	+	courses will be fully taught in the proposed combined or embedded course; 6
	579	+	(iii) The division verifies in writing to the state 7
	580	+	board that all of the curriculum frameworks for the two (2) separate courses 8
	581	+	are included in the proposed combined or embedded course; and 9
	582	+	(iv) The proposed combined or embedded course meets 10
	583	+	all requirements for course approval under the rules adopted by the state 11
	584	+	board. 12
	585	+	(C) The state board shall grant a waiver of a standard 13
	586	+	only for accreditation for proposed combined or embedded courses in grades 14
	587	+	five through twelve (5 -12). 15
	588	+	(D) If the state board subsequently revises the curriculum 16
	589	+	frameworks for either of the separate courses that are combined or embedded 17
	590	+	into a single course, a school district must submit a new waiver request for 18
	591	+	a combined or embedded course as set forth in subdivisions (b)(2)(B) and (C) 19
	592	+	of this section. 20
	593	+	(E) It is a violation of the Standards for Accreditation 21
	594	+	of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts for a school to fail to teach 22
	595	+	the curriculum frameworks for each separate course that is combined or 23
	596	+	embedded into a single course. 24
	597	+	(F) The state board shall promulgate rules necessary to 25
	598	+	administer subdivisions subdivision (b)(2)(B)-(E)(A) of this section. 26
	599	+	(3) A school district is deemed to have failed to meet the 27
	600	+	Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts 28
	601	+	if on any standard applicable to the general operation of a school district 29
	602	+	as defined by the state board the school district receives a probationary 30
	603	+	status. 31
	604	+	(4) A school is deemed to have failed to meet the Standards for 32
	605	+	Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts if on any 33
	606	+	standard applicable to the specific operation of that school as defined by 34
	607	+	the state board the school receives a probationary status. 35
	608	+	(c) The state board shall promulgate rules setting forth: 36 SB246
	609	+
	610	+	17 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	611	+	(1) The process for identifying schools and school districts 1
	612	+	that fail to meet the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools 2
	613	+	and School Districts; 3
	614	+	(2) Enforcement measures the state board may apply to bring a 4
	615	+	school or school district into compliance with the Standards for 5
	616	+	Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts, including, but 6
	617	+	not limited to, annexation, consolidation, or reconstitution of the school 7
	618	+	district in accordance with § 6 -13-1401 et seq. and this subchapter; and 8
	619	+	(3) The appeal process available to a school district under this 9
	620	+	subchapter. 10
	621	+	(d) After the rules are adopted and implemented by the state board, 11
	622	+	standards and procedures shall regularly be reviewed by the House Committee 12
	623	+	on Education and the Senate Committee on Education at least one (1) time 13
	624	+	every two (2) years, and recommendations and advice may be filed by the House 14
	625	+	Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education with the state 15
	626	+	board for its consideration. 16
	627	+	(e)(1) The division shall conduct a Standards for Accreditation of 17
	628	+	Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts review for each public school or 18
	629	+	public school district in the state: 19
	630	+	(A) Identified as being at a high risk of failing to meet 20
	631	+	the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School 21
	632	+	Districts; or 22
	633	+	(B) Whenever the division or state board deems necessary. 23
	634	+	(2) The review under subdivision (e)(1) of this section may be 24
	635	+	conducted on-site at the public school or public school district. 25
	636	+	(f) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education may require 26
	637	+	that the superintendent of each school district file a written statement with 27
	638	+	the division as evidence that the school district for which the 28
	639	+	superintendent is responsible has complied with any or all of the following 29
	640	+	statutory requirements: 30
	641	+	(1) Section 6-10-111(d)-(f) concerning the Equity Assistance 31
	642	+	Center; 32
	643	+	(2) Section 6-11-129(a)(1) concerning data to be accessible on 33
	644	+	the district's website; 34
	645	+	(3) Section 6-13-109 concerning employment of a school 35
	646	+	superintendent; 36 SB246
	647	+
	648	+	18 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	649	+	(4) Section 6-13-620 concerning powers and duties of the local 1
	650	+	school district board of directors; 2
	651	+	(5) Section 6-13-801 et seq. concerning educational compacts; 3
	652	+	(6) Section 6-15-202(b)(1) concerning accreditation; 4
	653	+	(7) Section 6-15-2901 et seq. concerning the Arkansas 5
	654	+	Educational Support and Accountability Act; 6
	655	+	(8) Section 6-15-502 concerning home schools; 7
	656	+	(9) Section 6-15-902 concerning grading scale; 8
	657	+	(10) Section 6-15-1004 concerning qualified teachers; 9
	658	+	(11) Section 6-15-1101(b) concerning diplomas; 10
	659	+	(12) Section 6-15-1402 concerning the school performance report; 11
	660	+	(13) Section 6-15-1603 concerning closing the achievement gap; 12
	661	+	(14) Section 6-15-1701 et seq. concerning a parental involvement 13
	662	+	plan; 14
	663	+	(15) Section 6-16-102 concerning school day; 15
	664	+	(16) Section 6-16-103 concerning course of study generally; 16
	665	+	(17) Section 6-16-124 concerning Arkansas history; 17
	666	+	(18) Section 6-16-126 concerning food handling safety; 18
	667	+	(19) Section 6-16-130 concerning visual art and music; 19
	668	+	(20) Section 6-16-132 concerning physical education; 20
	669	+	(21) Section 6-16-1201 et seq. and § 6-5-1201 et seq. concerning 21
	670	+	advanced placement and concurrent enrollment accelerated learning ; 22
	671	+	(22) Section 6-17-102 concerning emergency first aid personnel; 23
	672	+	(23) Section 6-17-201 concerning personnel policies; 24
	673	+	(24) Section 6-17-309 concerning licensure; 25
	674	+	(25) Section 6-17-401 et seq. concerning teacher's license 26
	675	+	requirement; 27
	676	+	(26) Section 6-17-2301 concerning establishment of personnel 28
	677	+	policies; 29
	678	+	(27) Section 6-17-2403 concerning teacher compensation; 30
	679	+	(28) Section 6-18-101 concerning qualifications for 31
	680	+	valedictorian and salutatorian, if applicable; 32
	681	+	(29) Section 6-18-201 et seq. concerning compulsory attendance; 33
	682	+	(30) Section 6-18-202 concerning age and residence for attending 34
	683	+	public schools; 35
	684	+	(31) Section 6-18-207 concerning minimum age for enrollment in 36 SB246
	685	+
	686	+	19 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	687	+	public school; 1
	688	+	(32) Section 6-18-213 concerning attendance records and reports 2
	689	+	generally; 3
	690	+	(33) Section 6-18-223 concerning credit for college courses; 4
	691	+	(34) Section 6-18-501 et seq. concerning guidelines for 5
	692	+	development of school district student discipline policies and written 6
	693	+	student discipline policies; 7
	694	+	(35) Section 6-48-101 et seq. concerning alternative learning 8
	695	+	environments; 9
	696	+	(36) Section 6-48-103 concerning assessment and intervention in 10
	697	+	alternative learning environments; 11
	698	+	(37) Section 6-18-701 et seq. concerning physical examinations; 12
	699	+	(38) Section 6-18-2003 concerning a comprehensive school 13
	700	+	counseling program; 14
	701	+	(39) Section 6-19-101 et seq. concerning transportation; 15
	702	+	(40) Section 6-20-2202 concerning the budget and expenditure 16
	703	+	report; 17
	704	+	(41) Section 6-21-106 concerning fire hazards inspection before 18
	705	+	closing for breaks; 19
	706	+	(42) Section 6-21-112 concerning school facilities; 20
	707	+	(43) Section 6-25-101 et seq. concerning public school library 21
	708	+	media and technology; 22
	709	+	(44) Section 6-41-101 et seq. concerning services to children 23
	710	+	with disabilities in nonpublic schools; 24
	711	+	(45) Section 6-42-101 et seq. concerning gifted and talented 25
	712	+	children; 26
	713	+	(46) Section 6-17-2803(7) and rules promulgated by the state 27
	714	+	board concerning the required training and credentialing of evaluators under 28
	715	+	the Teacher Excellence and Support System, § 6 -17-2801 et seq.; and 29
	716	+	(47) Any other statutory mandate for school districts identified 30
	717	+	by the division as relevant to the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas 31
	718	+	Public Schools and School Districts. 32
	719	+	(g) In addition to any written statement of assurance required under 33
	720	+	subsection (f) of this section, the division may conduct an on -site review of 34
	721	+	a school district to confirm that a school district has complied with any 35
	722	+	statutory requirements listed in subsection (f) of this section or any other 36 SB246
	723	+
	724	+	20 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	725	+	matter related to the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools 1
	726	+	and School Districts. 2
	727	+	(h) The division shall establish a form for the written statement of 3
	728	+	assurance required under subsection (f) of this section and shall establish a 4
	729	+	date or dates by which school districts shall submit the written statement of 5
	730	+	assurance required under subsection (f) of this section. 6
	731	+	(i) If any superintendent fails to file a written statement of 7
	732	+	assurance as required by the commissioner under subsection (f) of this 8
	733	+	section by the date established by the division or knowingly submits false 9
	734	+	information or if the division determines the information in the statement is 10
	735	+	inaccurate or incomplete, the division may: 11
	736	+	(1) Conduct a random on -site visit; 12
	737	+	(2) Request additional information from the school district; 13
	738	+	(3) Take licensure action on the license of the superintendent 14
	739	+	under the procedure of § 6 -17-410; or 15
	740	+	(4) Find the school or school district in citation or 16
	741	+	probationary violation of the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public 17
	742	+	Schools and School Districts. 18
583	743		19
584	744		SECTION 9. Arkansas Code § 6 -15-214 is amended to read as follows: 20
585	745		6-15-214. Advanced placement Accelerated learning course counted as 21
586	746		core curriculum course taught. 22
587	747		(a) The purpose of this section is to assist small, rural public 23
588	748		schools in providing students access to the most rigorous courses available 24
589	749		if it is the desire of students to take advanced placement accelerated 25
590	750		learning courses in the place of regular courses and, in doing so, to meet 26
591	751		the requirements of the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public 27
592	752		Schools and School Districts. 28
593	753		(b)(1) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education acknowledges 29
594	754		that the rigor and level of difficulty of advanced placement accelerated 30
595	755		learning courses exceed the requirements of regular courses. 31
596	756		(2) Such rigor and level of difficulty are validated through the 32
597	757		required advanced placement audit and advanced placement examinations All 33
598	758		accelerated learning courses shall meet the approved program requirements . 34
599	759		(3) The State Board of Education may deny courses that do not 35
600		-	meet the approved program requirements. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
601		-
602		-	16 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
603		-
604		-
	760	+	meet the approved program requirements. 36 SB246
	761	+
	762	+	21 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
605	763		(c) The State Board of Education state board shall consider an 1
606	764		advanced placement accelerated learning course as being taught for one (1) of 2
607	765		the required courses under the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public 3
608	766		Schools and School Districts if: 4
609	767		(1) The public school district has a qualified teacher for the 5
610	768		required course; 6
611	769		(2) No students enrolled in the required course; 7
612	770		(3) An advanced placement accelerated learning course in the 8
613	771		same subject area as the required course has students enrolled in the 9
614	772		advanced placement accelerated learning course; 10
615	773		(4) The public school district teaches all other courses 11
616	774		required by the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and 12
617	775		School Districts; and 13
618	776		(5)(A) The public school district teaches the required course to 14
619	777		any student who enrolls in the public school district after the school year 15
620	778		begins. 16
621	779		(B) The public school district may teach the required 17
622	780		course to a new student: 18
623	781		(i) In a traditional classroom setting; 19
624	782		(ii) Through distance learning with a qualified 20
625	783		teacher; or 21
626	784		(iii) By modifying the advanced placement accelerated 22
627	785		learning course on an individual level to accommodate the new student. 23
628	786		(d)(1) The public school district shall notify the division after 24
629	787		registration in the spring before the beginning of the new school year and 25
630	788		immediately after the school year begins if no students enrolled in the 26
631	789		required course and the public school district will seek to meet the 27
632	790		Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts 28
633	791		using the advanced placement accelerated learning course. 29
634	792		(2) Upon receiving the public school district notification and 30
635	793		after spring registration, the division shall permit the public school 31
636	794		district to meet the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools 32
637	795		and School Districts by teaching the advanced placement accelerated learning 33
638	796		course in place of the required course. 34
639	797		(e) If a new student enrolls in the required course, the public school 35
640		-	district shall immediately notify the division. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
641		-
642		-	17 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
643		-
644		-
	798	+	district shall immediately notify the division. 36 SB246
	799	+
	800	+	22 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
645	801		(f) The division shall establish procedures to ensure that no student 1
646	802		is coerced into taking an advanced placement accelerated learning course for 2
647	803		the purpose of meeting the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public 3
648	804		Schools and School Districts. 4
649	805		5
650	806		SECTION 10. Arkansas Code § 6 -15-215 is repealed. 6
651	807		6-15-215. The Arkansas Smart Core Incentive Funding Program — 7
652	808		Definitions. 8
653	809		(a) The General Assembly finds that: 9
654	810		(1) The skills and knowledge gained through Arkansas's Smart 10
655	811		Core curriculum provide the academic foundation required for high school 11
656	812		graduates to succeed in their first year of college or in a job that promises 12
657	813		a well-paying career track; and 13
658	814		(2) School districts should encourage all students who are 14
659	815		capable of completing the Smart Core curriculum to do so. 15
660	816		(b) As used in this section: 16
661	817		(1) “Eligible high school” means each public high school in a 17
662	818		school district that meets the criteria to receive incentive funding under 18
663	819		subsection (f) of this section and the program rules adopted under this 19
664	820		section by the State Board of Education; 20
665	821		(2) “Smart Core” means the curriculum established by the 21
666	822		Division of Elementary and Secondary Education under the Standards for 22
667	823		Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts that is part of 23
668	824		Smart Future, a state initiative focused on improving Arkansas public high 24
669	825		schools for all students; and 25
670	826		(3) “Smart Core graduate” means a student who graduated from an 26
671	827		Arkansas public high school after having successfully completed the Smart 27
672	828		Core curriculum. 28
673	829		(c) The Arkansas Smart Core Incentive Funding Program is established 29
674	830		to provide a financial incentive to: 30
675	831		(1) Assist with a public high school's efforts to encourage 31
676	832		public high school students to complete the Smart Core curriculum; 32
677	833		(2) Promote programs that contribute to student success, 33
678	834		including without limitation: 34
679	835		(A) Tutoring; 35
680		-	(B) Quality after-school and summer programs that may 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
681		-
682		-	18 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
683		-
684		-
	836	+	(B) Quality after-school and summer programs that may 36 SB246
	837	+
	838	+	23 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
685	839		include literacy, math, and science specialists in elementary school; and 1
686	840		(C) Professional development for mathematics, science, 2
687	841		literacy, foreign language, and Advanced Placement instruction; and 3
688	842		(3) Provide support to school counselors to improve student 4
689	843		services. 5
690	844		(d)(1)(A) A school district that receives incentive funding under this 6
691	845		section shall provide the incentive funding to each eligible high school in 7
692	846		the school district. 8
693	847		(B) The eligible high school shall spend the incentive 9
694	848		funding only for the purposes identified in subsection (c) of this section. 10
695	849		(2) A school district that receives incentive funding under the 11
696	850		program shall not use the incentive funding to provide increases to the 12
697	851		salary schedule of the school district. 13
698	852		(e)(1) Subject to an appropriation and available funding for the 14
699	853		program, the division shall pay incentive funding to a school district under 15
700	854		this section based on an annual percentage of Smart Core graduates from a 16
701	855		public high school in the school district. 17
702	856		(2)(A) The division shall make the calculation based on a 18
703	857		student record analysis conducted annually by the division beginning with the 19
704	858		graduating class of 2010. 20
705	859		(B) The division shall exclude from the student record 21
706	860		analysis a student with an individualized education program that does not 22
707	861		require the student to complete the Smart Core curriculum. 23
708	862		(f)(1) By June 30 of each year, the division shall pay to a school 24
709	863		district incentive funding under the program as follows: 25
710	864		(A) If one hundred percent (100%) of a public high 26
711	865		school's graduates in the immediately preceding school year completed the 27
712	866		Smart Core curriculum, the school district where the public high school is 28
713	867		located shall receive one hundred twenty -five dollars ($125) per Smart Core 29
714	868		graduate; 30
715	869		(B) If at least ninety -five percent (95%) but less than 31
716	870		one hundred percent (100%) of a public high school's graduates in the 32
717	871		immediately preceding school year completed the Smart Core curriculum, the 33
718	872		school district where the public high school is located shall receive one 34
719	873		hundred dollars ($100) per Smart Core graduate; and 35
720		-	(C) If at least ninety percent (90%) but less than ninety -36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
721		-
722		-	19 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
723		-
724		-
	874	+	(C) If at least ninety percent (90%) but less than ninety -36 SB246
	875	+
	876	+	24 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
725	877		five percent (95%) of a public high school's graduates in the immediately 1
726	878		preceding school year completed the Smart Core curriculum, the school 2
727	879		district where the public high school is located shall receive fifty dollars 3
728	880		($50.00) per Smart Core graduate. 4
729	881		(2) The division shall not pay incentive funding to a school 5
730	882		district for a public high school in which less than ninety percent (90%) of 6
731	883		its graduates complete the Smart Core curriculum. 7
732	884		(3) If a public high school's graduation rate falls below the 8
733	885		average graduation rate for the public high school for the previous three (3) 9
734	886		school years, the school district is not eligible to receive the full 10
735	887		incentive award under the program for the public high school. 11
736	888		(g) Participation in the program is voluntary. 12
737	889		(h) This section is effective from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 13
738	890		2020. 14
739	891		15
740	892		SECTION 11. Arkansas Code §§ 6 -15-901 and 6-15-902 are amended to read 16
741	893		as follows: 17
742	894		6-15-901. Definition. 18
743	895		For the purposes of this subchapter, “ advanced placement course 19
744	896		accelerated learning ” means a course of instruction that qualifies for 20
745	897		college credit and that is approved for credit as a high school course by the 21
746	898		State Board of Education an organized method of learning that enables a 22
747	899		student to meet individual academic goals and graduation requirements while 23
748	900		pursuing higher levels of skill development, including without limitation the 24
749	901		following coursework: 25
750	902		(1) A College Board pre -Advanced Placement and Advanced 26
751	903		Placement course; 27
752	904		(2) An International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme course; 28
753	905		(3) A Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education 29
754	906		course; 30
755	907		(4) A concurrent credit course; and 31
756	908		(5) A substantively similar course or program approved by the 32
757	909		Division of Elementary and Secondary Education . 33
758	910		34
759	911		6-15-902. Grading scale — Exemptions — Special education classes. 35
760		-	(a) The following grading scale shall be used by all public secondary 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
761		-
762		-	20 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
763		-
764		-
	912	+	(a) The following grading scale shall be used by all public secondary 36 SB246
	913	+
	914	+	25 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
765	915		schools in the state for all courses, except Advanced Placement accelerated 1
766	916		learning courses, and approved courses for weighted credit , and courses 2
767	917		offered under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme : 3
768	918		(1) A = 90-100; 4
769	919		(2) B = 80-89; 5
770	920		(3) C = 70-79; 6
771	921		(4) D = 60-69; and 7
772	922		(5) F = 59 and below. 8
773	923		(b)(1) Each letter grade shall be given a numeric value for the 9
774	924		purpose of determining grade average. 10
775	925		(2) Except for Advanced Placement accelerated learning courses, 11
776	926		and approved courses for weighted credit , courses offered under the 12
777	927		International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and honors courses , the 13
778	928		numeric value for each letter grade shall be: 14
779	929		(A) A = 4 points; 15
780	930		(B) B = 3 points; 16
781	931		(C) C = 2 points; 17
782	932		(D) D = 1 point; and 18
783	933		(E) F = 0 points. 19
784	934		(c)(1) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules for 20
785	935		accelerated learning and approved courses for weighted credit that address 21
786	936		the following: 22
787	937		(A) Adopt appropriate equivalents for advanced placement 23
788	938		and college courses; and 24
789	939		(B) Recommend a uniform grading structure for honors 25
790	940		courses. 26
791	941		(2) Weighted credit shall be allowed for advanced placement 27
792	942		courses and courses offered under the International Baccalaureate Diploma 28
793	943		Programme if: 29
794	944		(A) The student takes the entire Advanced Placement course 30
795	945		or the entire course offered in the International Baccalaureate Diploma 31
796	946		Programme in a particular subject; 32
797	947		(B) The student completes the applicable test offered by 33
798	948		the College Board for advanced placement courses at the end of the advanced 34
799	949		placement course or the applicable test offered by the International 35
800		-	Baccalaureate at the time prescribed by the organization; and 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
801		-
802		-	21 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
803		-
804		-
	950	+	Baccalaureate at the time prescribed by the organization; and 36 SB246
	951	+
	952	+	26 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
805	953		(C)(i) A teacher of an advanced placement course meets 1
806	954		Arkansas teacher licensure requirements and: 2
807	955		(a) Attends at least one (1) of the following 3
808	956		trainings no less than one (1) time every five (5) years: 4
809	957		(1) College Board Advanced Placement 5
810	958		Summer Institute; 6
811	959		(2) College Board-endorsed training; or 7
812	960		(3) Other similarly rigorous training 8
813	961		approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education; or 9
814	962		(b) Completes an additional training plan for 10
815	963		Advanced Placement within three (3) years of commencing the additional 11
816	964		training plan; or 12
817	965		(ii) A teacher of a course offered under the 13
818	966		International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme meets Arkansas teacher 14
819	967		licensure requirements and attends the training required by the International 15
820	968		Baccalaureate Standards; 16
821	969		(B) Grading scales; 17
822	970		(C) A numeric value for the purpose of determining grade 18
823	971		average; and 19
824	972		(D) Weight given to the numeric value as provided in 20
825	973		subdivision (b)(2) of this section . 21
826	974		(3)(2) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education may 22
827	975		shall approve a course for weighted credit if the course: 23
828	976		(A) Exceeds the curriculum standards for a nonweighted 24
829	977		credit class; or 25
830	978		(B) Meets or exceeds the standards of a comparable 26
831	979		advanced placement class accelerated learning course; or 27
832	980		(C) Is identified by the Division of Elementary and 28
833	981		Secondary Education as an honors class . 29
834	982		(4)(A)(3)(A) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education 30
835	983		in collaboration with the Division of Career and Technical Education may 31
836	984		approve a career and technical course within an approved career and technical 32
837	985		pathway for weighted credit if the course: 33
838	986		(i) Exceeds the curriculum standards for a 34
839	987		nonweighted class; and 35
840		-	(ii) Leads to an approved industry -recognized 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
841		-
842		-	22 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
843		-
844		-
	988	+	(ii) Leads to an approved industry -recognized 36 SB246
	989	+
	990	+	27 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
845	991		certification or concurrent credit . 1
846	992		(B) The Division of Career and Technical Education shall: 2
847	993		(i) Review new and existing career and technical 3
848	994		pathways to determine which courses within the career and technical pathways 4
849	995		meet criteria for weighted credit; and 5
850	996		(ii) Publish a list of approved career and technical 6
851	997		pathways annually by January 1. 7
852	998		(C) Criteria used to determine what courses within a 8
853	999		career and technical pathway shall receive weighted credit shall include 9
854	1000		without limitation the consideration of career and technical pathways that: 10
855	1001		(i) Lead to high-value industry credentials; and 11
856	1002		(ii) Align to state and local workforce data. 12
857	1003		(D) Weighted credit awarded under subdivision (c)(4)(A) 13
858	1004		(c)(3)(A) of this section shall be awarded for each course upon: 14
859	1005		(i) Completing the relevant career and technical 15
860	1006		pathway; and 16
861	1007		(ii) Earning the high -value industry credential 17
862	1008		aligned with the career and technical pathway. 18
863	1009		(5)(A) A local school district board of directors may adopt a 19
864	1010		policy to allow high school students in the public school district to take 20
865	1011		college courses for weighted credit equal to the numeric grade awarded in 21
866	1012		Advanced Placement courses, courses offered under the International 22
867	1013		Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and honors classes. 23
868	1014		(B)(i) If a local school district board of directors 24
869	1015		adopts a policy under subdivision (c)(5)(A) of this section, the school 25
870	1016		district shall apply to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education 26
871	1017		for approval. 27
872	1018		(ii) An application under subdivision (c)(5)(B)(i) of 28
873	1019		this section shall be reviewed for approval to assign a numeric grade value, 29
874	1020		which may include weighted credit, based on the following: 30
875	1021		(a) A letter from the superintendent of the 31
876	1022		public school district or principal of the public school describing how the 32
877	1023		course exceeds expectations for coursework required under the Standards for 33
878	1024		Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts; and 34
879	1025		(b) The grade level or levels of public school 35
880		-	students who will be enrolled in the course. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
881		-
882		-	23 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
883		-
884		-
	1026	+	students who will be enrolled in the course. 36 SB246
	1027	+
	1028	+	28 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
885	1029		(d) A public school district may use the grading scale in this section 1
886	1030		in the public school district's elementary schools. 2
887	1031		(e) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education may promulgate 3
888	1032		rules to implement this section. 4
889	1033		5
890	1034		SECTION 12. Arkansas Code § 6 -15-1004(b)(2)(C), concerning the 6
891	1035		continuing education and professional development requirement under the 7
892	1036		Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts, 8
893	1037		is amended to read as follows: 9
894	1038		(C) For purposes of the requirement for continuing 10
895	1039		education and professional development under this section, each hour of 11
896	1040		training received by licensed personnel related to teaching an advanced 12
897	1041		placement class for a subject covered by the College Board and Educational 13
898	1042		Testing Service accelerated learning course shall be counted as professional 14
899	1043		development up to a maximum of thirty (30) hours. 15
900	1044		16
901	1045		SECTION 13. Arkansas Code § 6 -15-1301(b)(1), concerning the membership 17
902	1046		of the Safe Schools Committee under the Safe Schools Initiative Act, is 18
903	1047		amended to read as follows: 19
904	1048		(b)(1) The Safe Schools Committee shall be composed of the following 20
905	1049		individuals and stakeholders deemed necessary and appointed by the 21
906	1050		Commissioner of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education : 22
907	1051		(A) One (1) classroom teacher appointed by the Arkansas 23
908	1052		Education Association; 24
909	1053		(B) Two (2) school administrators appointed by the 25
910	1054		Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators; 26
911	1055		(C) Two (2) school district board members appointed by the 27
912	1056		Arkansas School Boards Association; 28
913	1057		(D) A staff member of the division appointed by the 29
914	1058		Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education; 30
915	1059		(E) A school safety specialist, employed by an Arkansas 31
916	1060		school district, appointed by the commissioner; 32
917	1061		(F) One (1) school counselor appointed by the Arkansas 33
918	1062		Counseling Association; 34
919	1063		(G) The Director of the Criminal Justice Institute and of 35
920		-	the Arkansas Center for School Safety, or his or her designee; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
921		-
922		-	24 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
923		-
924		-
	1064	+	the Arkansas Center for School Safety, or his or her designee; 36 SB246
	1065	+
	1066	+	29 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
925	1067		(H) One (1) classroom teacher appointed by the Arkansas 1
926	1068		State Teachers Association; 2
927	1069		(I) The Director of the Division of Emergency Management, 3
928	1070		or his or her designee; 4
929	1071		(J) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Public School 5
930	1072		Resource Center, Inc., or his or her designee; 6
931	1073		(K) A chief of police or a sheriff appointed by the 7
932	1074		commissioner; 8
933	1075		(L) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Rural Ed 9
934	1076		Association, or his or her designee; 10
935	1077		(M) The State Fire Marshal, or his or her designee; 11
936	1078		(N) One (1) school psychologist appointed by the Arkansas 12
937	1079		School Psychology Association; and 13
938	1080		(O) One (1) director of an Arkansas education service 14
939	1081		cooperative appointed by the commissioner . 15
940	1082		16
941	1083		SECTION 14. Arkansas Code § 6 -15-1303(d)(3)(A), concerning the 17
942	1084		provision of training and technical assistance under the Safe Schools 18
943	1085		Initiative Act, is amended to read as follows: 19
944	1086		(3)(A) The Arkansas Center for School Safety of the Criminal Justice 20
945	1087		Institute shall be the state school safety clearinghouse and shall 21
946	1088		collaborate with the following entities to provide a comprehensive, 22
947	1089		efficient, and effective resource for education and law enforcement personnel 23
948	1090		to obtain training and technical assistance to meet the school safety needs 24
949	1091		of students in this state: 25
950	1092		(i) The Division of Elementary and Secondary 26
951	1093		Education; 27
952	1094		(ii) The Safe Schools Committee established under 28
953	1095		this subchapter; and 29
954	1096		(iii) The Arkansas Association of Educational 30
955	1097		Administrators; 31
956	1098		(iv) The Arkansas School Boards Association; 32
957	1099		(v) Education service cooperatives; 33
958	1100		(vi) The Division of Emergency Management; 34
959	1101		(vii) The Arkansas Public School Resource Center, 35
960		-	Inc.; and 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
961		-
962		-	25 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
963		-
964		-
	1102	+	Inc.; and 36 SB246
	1103	+
	1104	+	30 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
965	1105		(viii) Other key stakeholders . 1
966	1106		2
967	1107		SECTION 15. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 15, Subchapter 21, is 3
968	1108		amended to add an additional section to read as follows: 4
969	1109		6-15-2102. Definition. 5
970	1110		As used in this subchapter, "school" includes a public school within a 6
971	1111		traditional public school district and an open -enrollment public charter 7
972	1112		school. 8
973	1113		9
974	1114		SECTION 16. Arkansas Code § 6 -15-2108 is amended to read as follows: 10
975	1115		6-15-2108. School rating system. 11
976	1116		(a) The school rating system shall be a multiple -measures approach 12
977	1117		that shall include without limitation: 13
978	1118		(1) Academic achievement on the annual statewide student 14
979	1119		assessment; 15
980	1120		(2) Student growth on the annual statewide student assessment; 16
981	1121		and 17
982	1122		(3) School-level graduation rate or rates ; and 18
983	1123		(4) English-learner progress or growth in acquiring English . 19
984	1124		(b) The school rating system shall consider without limitation at 20
985	1125		least one (1) or more of the following indicators: 21
986	1126		(1) Closing the achievement gap; 22
987	1127		(2) Academic growth of student subgroups, including without 23
988	1128		limitation economically disadvantaged students, students from major racial 24
989	1129		and ethnic groups, English learners, and students with disabilities; 25
990	1130		(3) The percentage of the grade nine (9) cohort with on -time 26
991	1131		completion of credit attainment at the end of grade nine (9); 27
992	1132		(4) Equity in resource allocation; 28
993	1133		(5) The percentage of students who earn: 29
994	1134		(A) Advanced placement credit; 30
995	1135		(B) Concurrent credit; 31
996	1136		(C) International Baccalaureate credit; or 32
997	1137		(D) Industry-recognized certification that leads to 33
998	1138		articulated or concurrent credit at a postsecondary institution; 34
999	1139		(6) Student access to multiple flexible learning continua, 35
1000		-	including but not limited to personalized, competency, or mastery learning; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1001		-
1002		-	26 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1003		-
1004		-
	1140	+	including but not limited to personalized, competency, or mastery learning; 36 SB246
	1141	+
	1142	+	31 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
1005	1143		(7) Student access to preschool offered by the public school 1
1006	1144		district; 2
1007	1145		(8) The proportional percentage of qualified educators who hold 3
1008	1146		a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification or have an 4
1009	1147		advanced degree beyond their bachelor's degree; and 5
1010	1148		(9) Public school district and community partnerships. 6
1011	1149		(c)(b) Indicators included or considered as part of the school rating 7
1012	1150		system shall: 8
1013	1151		(1) Allow for meaningful differentiation in school performance; 9
1014	1152		and 10
1015	1153		(2) Be valid, reliable, comparable, and applicable statewide. 11
1016	1154		(d)(c) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall : 12
1017	1155		(1) promulgate Promulgate rules to implement this section ; and 13
1018	1156		(2) Develop a formula to determine a letter grade under § 6 -15-14
1019	1157		2105 for the following without limitation: 15
1020	1158		(A) A public school district; and 16
1021	1159		(B) An education service cooperative . 17
1022	1160		18
1023	1161		SECTION 17. Arkansas Code § 6 -16-140(a), concerning a certificate of 19
1024	1162		attainment awarded to a student completing an approved vocational or 20
1025	1163		technical career pathway or program of study at a public high school, is 21
1026	1164		amended to read as follows: 22
1027	1165		(a) A student who successfully completes an approved vocational or 23
1028	1166		technical career pathway or program of study at a public high school shall be 24
1029	1167		awarded a certificate of attainment that shall be: 25
1030	1168		(1) Aligned in the appropriate career pathway or program of 26
1031	1169		study; and 27
1032	1170		(2) Used for consideration of acceptance and advanced priority 28
1033	1171		placement into an apprenticeship training program. 29
1034	1172		30
1035	1173		SECTION 18. Arkansas Code § 6 -16-148(a)(1), concerning the foundation 31
1036	1174		of certain social studies or history courses offered in grades seven through 32
1037	1175		twelve (7-12), is amended to read as follows: 33
1038	1176		(1) A social studies or history course conditioned upon 34
1039	1177		knowledge of historical events from the colonial period to modern times of 35
1040		-	United States history for which graduation credit is or may be received, 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1041		-
1042		-	27 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1043		-
1044		-
1045		-	except for advanced placement courses 1
1046		-	2
1047		-	SECTION 19. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 16, Subchapter 8, is 3
1048		-	repealed. 4
1049		-	Subchapter 8 — Arkansas Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate 5
1050		-	Diploma Incentive Program Act of 1995 6
1051		-	6-16-801. Title. 7
1052		-	This subchapter shall be known as and may be cited as the “Arkansas 8
1053		-	Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Diploma Incentive Program 9
1054		-	Act of 1995”. 10
	1178	+	United States history for which graduation credit is or may be received, 36 SB246
	1179	+
	1180	+	32 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1181	+	except for advanced placement program-specific accelerated learning courses 1
	1182	+	approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education ; 2
	1183	+	3
	1184	+	SECTION 19. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 16, Subchapter 8, is 4
	1185	+	repealed. 5
	1186	+	Subchapter 8 — Arkansas Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate 6
	1187	+	Diploma Incentive Program Act of 1995 7
	1188	+	6-16-801. Title. 8
	1189	+	This subchapter shall be known as and may be cited as the “Arkansas 9
	1190	+	Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Diploma Incentive Program 10
	1191	+	Act of 1995”. 11
	1192	+	12
	1193	+	6-16-802. Purpose. 13
	1194	+	(a) The purpose of this subchapter is to serve as a legislative 14
	1195	+	charter for the establishment, organization, and administration of a program 15
	1196	+	designed to improve the course offerings available to middle school, junior 16
	1197	+	high school, and high school students throughout the state. 17
	1198	+	(b) The program established under this subchapter will provide 18
	1199	+	advanced educational courses that are easily accessible and that will prepare 19
	1200	+	students for admission to and success in a postsecondary educational 20
	1201	+	environment. 21
	1202	+	(c) A key component in the program is adequately preparing teachers 22
	1203	+	and schools in providing advanced placement courses or courses offered under 23
	1204	+	the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme to their students. 24
	1205	+	25
	1206	+	6-16-803. Definitions. 26
	1207	+	As used in this subchapter: 27
	1208	+	(1) “Advanced placement course” means a high school level 28
	1209	+	preparatory course for a college advanced placement test that incorporates 29
	1210	+	all topics specified by the College Board and Educational Testing Service on 30
	1211	+	its standard syllabus for a given subject area and is approved by the College 31
	1212	+	Board and Educational Testing Service; 32
	1213	+	(2) “College advanced placement test” means the advanced 33
	1214	+	placement test administered by the College Board and Educational Testing 34
	1215	+	Service; 35
	1216	+	(3) “College Board” means the College Board and Educational 36 SB246
	1217	+
	1218	+	33 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1219	+	Testing Service; 1
	1220	+	(4) “International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme” means an 2
	1221	+	international education program offered by the International Baccalaureate; 3
	1222	+	(5) “Preadvanced placement course” means a middle school, junior 4
	1223	+	high school, or high school level course that specifically prepares students 5
	1224	+	to enroll and participate in an advanced placement course; 6
	1225	+	(6) “Program” means the Arkansas Advanced Placement and 7
	1226	+	International Baccalaureate Diploma Incentive Program; and 8
	1227	+	(7) “State board” means the State Board of Education. 9
	1228	+	10
	1229	+	6-16-804. Established — Subsidies — Rules. 11
	1230	+	(a) The Arkansas Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate 12
	1231	+	Diploma Incentive Program is hereby established, to be administered by the 13
	1232	+	Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. 14
	1233	+	(b) Contingent upon legislative appropriations and based on criteria 15
	1234	+	established by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, schools 16
	1235	+	participating in the program may be awarded a one -time equipment and 17
	1236	+	instructional materials grant for providing an advanced placement course or a 18
	1237	+	course offered under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. 19
	1238	+	(c) Subject to legislative appropriations, a teacher participating in 20
	1239	+	the advanced placement program, in the International Baccalaureate Diploma 21
	1240	+	Programme, or in the preadvanced placement program may be awarded subsidized 22
	1241	+	teacher training for advanced placement courses at a cost not to exceed six 23
	1242	+	hundred fifty dollars ($650) per teacher. 24
	1243	+	(d)(1) Contingent upon legislative appropriation and the availability 25
	1244	+	of funding, the state may pay in full, or on a pro rata basis as determined 26
	1245	+	under subdivision (d)(2) of this section, the cost of the advanced placement 27
	1246	+	test fee or the equivalent test fee under the International Baccalaureate 28
	1247	+	Diploma Programme, or both. 29
	1248	+	(2) The State Board of Education may create a sliding scale 30
	1249	+	based on family income. 31
	1250	+	(e) The state board is authorized to promulgate rules necessary to 32
	1251	+	implement this subchapter. 33
	1252	+	34
	1253	+	6-16-805. Funding. 35
	1254	+	(a) The awards granted under the provisions of this subchapter for 36 SB246
	1255	+
	1256	+	34 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1257	+	both advanced placement and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 1
	1258	+	may be funded by donations, grants, or legislative appropriation. 2
	1259	+	(b) All donations, grants, and appropriations received shall be 3
	1260	+	accounted for by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. 4
	1261	+	(c) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education may solicit 5
	1262	+	and receive donations and grants for the purpose of making awards. 6
	1263	+	7
	1264	+	6-16-806. Treatment as advanced placement course. 8
	1265	+	Any high school course offered under the International Baccalaureate 9
	1266	+	Diploma Programme shall be treated the same as an advanced placement course, 10
	1267	+	including for the following purposes: 11
	1268	+	(1) Weighted credit; 12
	1269	+	(2) The Arkansas Advanced Placement and International 13
	1270	+	Baccalaureate Diploma Incentive Program Act of 1995, § 6 -16-801 et seq.; and 14
	1271	+	(3) Reporting requirements. 15
	1272	+	16
	1273	+	SECTION 20. Arkansas Code §§ 6 -16-1202 through 6-16-1204 are amended 17
	1274	+	to read as follows: 18
	1275	+	6-16-1202. Definitions. 19
	1276	+	As used in this subchapter: 20
	1277	+	(1) “Advanced Placement course” means a high school level 21
	1278	+	preparatory course for a college Advanced Placement test that: 22
	1279	+	(A) Incorporates all topics specified by the College Board 23
	1280	+	and Educational Testing Service on its standards syllabus for a given subject 24
	1281	+	area; and 25
	1282	+	(B) Is approved by the College Board and Educational 26
	1283	+	Testing Service; 27
	1284	+	(2) “Endorsed concurrent enrollment course” means a college -28
	1285	+	level course offered by an institution of higher education in this state that 29
	1286	+	upon completion would qualify for academic credit in both the institution of 30
	1287	+	higher education and a public high school that: 31
	1288	+	(A) Is in one (1) of the four (4) core areas of math, 32
	1289	+	English, science, and social studies; 33
	1290	+	(B) Meets the requirements of § 6 -16-1204(b); and 34
	1291	+	(C) Is listed in the Arkansas Course Transfer System of 35
	1292	+	the Division of Higher Education; 36 SB246
	1293	+
	1294	+	35 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1295	+	(3) “Pre-Advanced Placement course” means a middle school, 1
	1296	+	junior high school, or high school level course that specifically prepares 2
	1297	+	students to enroll and to participate in an advanced placement course; and 3
	1298	+	(4) “Vertical team” means a group of educators from different 4
	1299	+	grade levels in a given discipline who work cooperatively to develop and 5
	1300	+	implement a vertically aligned program aimed at helping students from diverse 6
	1301	+	backgrounds acquire the academic skills necessary for success in the Advanced 7
	1302	+	Placement program and other challenging coursework "Accelerated learning" 8
	1303	+	means an organized method of learning that enables students to meet 9
	1304	+	individual academic goals and graduation requirements while pursuing higher 10
	1305	+	levels of skill development, including without limitation the following 11
	1306	+	coursework: 12
	1307	+	(A) A College Board pre -Advanced Placement and Advanced 13
	1308	+	Placement course; 14
	1309	+	(B) An International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 15
	1310	+	course; 16
	1311	+	(C) A Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of 17
	1312	+	Education course; 18
	1313	+	(D) A concurrent credit course; and 19
	1314	+	(E) A substantively similar course or program approved by 20
	1315	+	the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education; and 21
	1316	+	(2) "Concurrent credit course" means a college -level course offered by 22
	1317	+	an institution of higher education in this state that upon completion would 23
	1318	+	qualify for academic credit in both the institution of higher education and a 24
	1319	+	public high school. 25
	1320	+	26
	1321	+	6-16-1203. Teacher skills and training. 27
	1322	+	(a)(1) A teacher of an Advanced Placement course must obtain 28
	1323	+	appropriate training. 29
	1324	+	(2) The State Board of Education shall establish clear, 30
	1325	+	specific, and challenging training guidelines that require teachers of 31
	1326	+	College Board advanced placement courses and teachers of pre -Advanced 32
	1327	+	Placement courses to obtain College Board sponsored or endorsed training. 33
	1328	+	(3) The training may include vertical team training. 34
	1329	+	(b)(a) An instructor of an endorsed concurrent enrollment an 35
	1330	+	accelerated learning or concurrent credit course shall have meet the 36 SB246
	1331	+
	1332	+	36 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1333	+	requirements of the: 1
	1334	+	(1) Institution of higher education that is offering the course; 2
	1335	+	or 3
	1336	+	(2) Accrediting organization authorized under § 6 -16-1202: 4
	1337	+	(1)(A) No less than a master's degree that includes at least 5
	1338	+	eighteen (18) hours of completed course work in the subject area of the 6
	1339	+	endorsed concurrent enrollment course . 7
	1340	+	(B)(b)(1) The An instructor's credentials shall be 8
	1341	+	approved by the academic unit or chief academic officer of the institution of 9
	1342	+	higher education offering the endorsed concurrent credit enrollment course; 10
	1343	+	and. 11
	1344	+	(2) The relevant credentials and experience necessary to teach 12
	1345	+	from the syllabus approved by the institution of higher education granting 13
	1346	+	the course credit. 14
	1347	+	15
	1348	+	6-16-1204. Implementation. 16
	1349	+	(a)(1) In order to prepare students for the rigor inherent in Advanced 17
	1350	+	Placement courses, school districts shall offer pre -Advanced Placement 18
	1351	+	courses to prepare students for the demands of Advanced Placement coursework. 19
	1352	+	(2) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall 20
	1353	+	approve all classes designated as pre -Advanced Placement courses. 21
	1354	+	(b) An endorsed A concurrent credit enrollment course must meet the 22
	1355	+	following requirements: 23
	1356	+	(1) The course must be a course offered by an institution of 24
	1357	+	higher education in this state that is: 25
	1358	+	(A) Approved through the institution of higher education's 26
	1359	+	normal process; and 27
	1360	+	(B) Listed in the institution of higher education's 28
	1361	+	catalog; 29
	1362	+	(2) The course content and instruction must meet the same 30
	1363	+	standards and adopt the same learning outcomes as those developed for a 31
	1364	+	course taught on the campus of the institution of higher education, including 32
	1365	+	without limitation: 33
	1366	+	(A) The administration of any departmental exams 34
	1367	+	applicable to the course; and 35
	1368	+	(B) The use of substantially the same book and syllabus as 36 SB246
	1369	+
	1370	+	37 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1371	+	is used at the college level; 1
	1372	+	(3) The course must be taught by an instructor with the 2
	1373	+	qualifications required under § 6-16-1203(b) § 6-16-1203; 3
	1374	+	(4) The institution of higher education offering the course 4
	1375	+	must: 5
	1376	+	(A) Provide to the course instructor staff development, 6
	1377	+	supervision, and evaluation; and 7
	1378	+	(B)(i) Provide the students enrolled in the course with: 8
	1379	+	(a) Academic guidance counseling; and 9
	1380	+	(b) The opportunity to utilize the on -campus 10
	1381	+	library or other academic resources of the institution of higher education. 11
	1382	+	(ii) Nothing in this This subdivision (b)(4) (a)(4) 12
	1383	+	shall not preclude institutions of higher education from collaborating to 13
	1384	+	meet the requirements of this subdivision (b)(4)(a)(4); 14
	1385	+	(5) To be eligible to enroll in an endorsed a concurrent 15
	1386	+	enrollment credit course, the student must: 16
	1387	+	(A) Be admitted by the institution of higher education as 17
	1388	+	a nondegree or noncertificate -seeking student; and 18
	1389	+	(B) Meet all of the prerequisites for the course in which 19
	1390	+	he or she is enrolled; and 20
	1391	+	(6)(A) Credit for the endorsed concurrent enrollment credit 21
	1392	+	course may only be awarded by the institution of higher education offering 22
	1393	+	the course. 23
	1394	+	(B) Nothing in this This subdivision (b)(6) (a)(6) shall 24
	1395	+	not preclude institutions of higher education from collaborating to provide 25
	1396	+	the course and award course credit. 26
	1397	+	(c)(b) Beginning with the 2008-2009 2025-2026 school year, all public 27
	1398	+	school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools shall offer one 28
	1399	+	(1) College Board Advanced Placement course in each of the four (4) core 29
	1400	+	areas of math, English, science, and social studies for a total of four (4) 30
	1401	+	courses at least four (4) accelerated learning courses that cover the 31
	1402	+	following subject areas: 32
	1403	+	(1) Math; 33
	1404	+	(2) English; 34
	1405	+	(3) Science; and 35
	1406	+	(4) Social studies. 36 SB246
	1407	+
	1408	+	38 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1409	+	(d)(1) The requirement under subsection (c) of this section shall be 1
	1410	+	phased in over a period of four (4) years beginning with the 2005 -2006 school 2
	1411	+	year. 3
	1412	+	(2) Beginning with the 2008 -2009 school year, all high schools 4
	1413	+	in Arkansas shall offer a minimum of four (4) Advanced Placement courses by 5
	1414	+	adding at least one (1) core course each year to the list of courses 6
	1415	+	available to high school students. 7
	1416	+	(e)(1)(A) A state-supported two-year or four-year institution of 8
	1417	+	higher education may offer a reduced tuition rate for endorsed concurrent 9
	1418	+	enrollment courses offered by the institution of higher education to high 10
	1419	+	school students under this subchapter. 11
	1420	+	(B) The reduction in tuition under subdivision (e)(1)(A) 12
	1421	+	of this section or any tuition paid by the institution of higher education 13
	1422	+	under subdivision (e)(3)(B) of this section shall not be considered an 14
	1423	+	institutional scholarship. 15
	1424	+	(2) The number of students enrolled and the semester credit 16
	1425	+	hours for endorsed concurrent enrollment courses shall be included in the 17
	1426	+	calculation of full-time-equivalent enrollment for the institution of higher 18
	1427	+	education. 19
	1428	+	(3)(A) A national school lunch student, as defined in § 6 -20-20
	1429	+	2303, shall not be required to pay any of the costs up to a maximum of six 21
	1430	+	(6) credit hours of endorsed concurrent enrollment courses that are taught: 22
	1431	+	(i) On the grounds of the public school district in 23
	1432	+	which the student is enrolled; and 24
	1433	+	(ii) By a teacher employed by the public school 25
	1434	+	district in which the student is enrolled. 26
	1435	+	(B) The costs for endorsed concurrent enrollment courses 27
	1436	+	under subdivision (e)(3)(A) of this section shall be paid: 28
	1437	+	(i) By the public school district in which the 29
	1438	+	student is enrolled; 30
	1439	+	(ii) By the institution of higher education offering 31
	1440	+	the course; or 32
	1441	+	(iii) Through a cost -sharing agreement between the 33
	1442	+	public school district and the institution of higher education. 34
	1443	+	(c)(1) Beginning with the 2025 -2026 school year and each year 35
	1444	+	thereafter, the tuition rate for a concurrent credit course shall: 36 SB246
	1445	+
	1446	+	39 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1447	+	(A)(i) For every one (1) academic credit hour provided by 1
	1448	+	an institution of higher education, be equivalent to two and one -half percent 2
	1449	+	(2.5%) of the per-pupil amount each year or be an agreed upon amount not to 3
	1450	+	exceed the equivalent of two and one -half percent (2.5%) of the per pupil 4
	1451	+	amount each year as determined by the foundation funding amount established 5
	1452	+	under § 6-20-2305 that is allotted per student to each public school district 6
	1453	+	in which an eligible student resides. 7
	1454	+	(ii) If a concurrent credit course is taught by a 8
	1455	+	teacher employed by a public school district and the public school district 9
	1456	+	provides all tuition, fees, and course materials, then the tuition rate for 10
	1457	+	every one (1) academic credit hour allotted by the concurrent credit course 11
	1458	+	shall be three-fourths percent (0.75%) of the per -pupil amount each year as 12
	1459	+	determined by the foundation funding amount established under § 6 -20-2305 13
	1460	+	that is allotted per student to each public school district in which an 14
	1461	+	eligible student resides; 15
	1462	+	(B) Apply uniformly to all participating eligible state -16
	1463	+	supported institutions of higher education located in this state; 17
	1464	+	(C) Not exceed the standard tuition rate and fee structure 18
	1465	+	of the institution of higher education providing the concurrent credit 19
	1466	+	course; and 20
	1467	+	(D) Include all tuition, fees, and course materials. 21
	1468	+	(2)(A) An institution of higher education offering the 22
	1469	+	concurrent credit course under this subchapter shall receive funding in the 23
	1470	+	amount of the tuition rate from the student's school in which he or she is 24
	1471	+	enrolled. 25
	1472	+	(B) An institution of higher education shall not receive 26
	1473	+	funding for concurrent credit courses for tuition at secondary vocational 27
	1474	+	centers under § 6-51-301 et seq. if the institution of higher education is 28
	1475	+	already receiving funding designated for vocational center aid. 29
	1476	+	30
	1477	+	SECTION 21. Arkansas Code § 6 -17-309 is amended to read as follows: 31
	1478	+	6-17-309. Licensure — Waiver. 32
	1479	+	(a)(1) A class of students shall not be under the instruction of a 33
	1480	+	teacher who is not licensed to teach the grade level or subject matter of the 34
	1481	+	class for more than sixty (60) consecutive school days in the same class 35
	1482	+	during a school year. 36 SB246
	1483	+
	1484	+	40 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1485	+	(2)(b) This subsection Subsection (a) of this section shall not 1
	1486	+	apply to: 2
	1487	+	(A)(1) Nondegreed vocational -technical teachers; 3
	1488	+	(B)(2) Individuals approved by the Division of Elementary 4
	1489	+	and Secondary Education to teach the grade level or subject matter of the 5
	1490	+	class in the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education's distance 6
	1491	+	learning program; 7
	1492	+	(C)(3) Individuals teaching concurrent credit courses or 8
	1493	+	advanced placement accelerated learning courses who: 9
	1494	+	(i)(A) Are employed by a postsecondary institution; 10
	1495	+	(ii)(B) Meet the qualification requirements of a 11
	1496	+	postsecondary institution or the Division of Career and Technical Education; 12
	1497	+	and 13
	1498	+	(iii)(C) Are teaching in a course in which credit is 14
	1499	+	offered by an institution of higher education or a technical institute; 15
	1500	+	(D)(4) Licensed teachers teaching in one (1) of the 16
	1501	+	following settings: 17
	1502	+	(i)(A) An alternative learning environment; 18
	1503	+	(ii)(B) A juvenile detention facility; 19
	1504	+	(iii)(C) A residential and day alcohol, drug, and 20
	1505	+	psychiatric facility program; 21
	1506	+	(iv)(D) An emergency youth shelter; 22
	1507	+	(v)(E) A facility of the Division of Youth Services; 23
	1508	+	or 24
	1509	+	(vi)(F) A facility of the Division of Developmental 25
	1510	+	Disabilities Services; 26
	1511	+	(E)(5) Licensed special education teachers who are 27
	1512	+	teaching two (2) or more core academic subjects exclusively to children with 28
	1513	+	disabilities; or 29
	1514	+	(F)(6) Teachers who are working under an Aspiring Teacher 30
	1515	+	permit for a period of time not to exceed one (1) academic year or two (2) 31
	1516	+	consecutive semesters. 32
	1517	+	(b)(1) If this requirement imposes an undue hardship on a school 33
	1518	+	district, the school district may apply to the State Board of Education for a 34
	1519	+	waiver. 35
	1520	+	(2) The state board shall develop rules for granting a waiver. 36 SB246
	1521	+
	1522	+	41 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1523	+	(3) Any school district that obtains a waiver shall send written 1
	1524	+	notice of the assignment to the parent or guardian of each student in the 2
	1525	+	classroom no later than the sixtieth school day after the date of the 3
	1526	+	assignment. 4
	1527	+	(4) [Repealed.] 5
	1528	+	6
	1529	+	SECTION 22. Arkansas Code § 6 -17-709(d), concerning the professional 7
	1530	+	development schedule for licensed educators, is amended to read as follows: 8
	1531	+	(d) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall establish 9
	1532	+	the curriculum under this section in collaboration with educational agencies 10
	1533	+	and associations, including without limitation the: relevant stakeholders. 11
	1534	+	(1) Division of Higher Education; 12
	1535	+	(2) Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators; 13
	1536	+	(3) Arkansas Education Association; 14
	1537	+	(4) Arkansas School Boards Association; 15
	1538	+	(5) Arkansas Association for Supervision and Curriculum 16
	1539	+	Development; 17
	1540	+	(6) Arkansas State Teachers Association; and 18
	1541	+	(7) Arkansas Rural Ed Association. 19
	1542	+	20
	1543	+	SECTION 23. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 18, Subchapter 2, is 21
	1544	+	amended to add an additional section to read as follows: 22
	1545	+	6-18-237. Absences for certain purposes unexcused. 23
	1546	+	(a) A public school district or open-enrollment public charter school 24
	1547	+	shall not grant excused absences for purposes of: 25
	1548	+	(1) Political protest; 26
	1549	+	(2) Social or public policy advocacy; or 27
	1550	+	(3) Attempts to influence legislation or other governmental 28
	1551	+	policy-making at the local, state, or federal level. 29
	1552	+	(b) Academic standards, teaching standards, education standards of any 30
	1553	+	kind, curriculum, teacher professional development, and rules in the public 31
	1554	+	school district or open -enrollment public charter school shall not authorize 32
	1555	+	student walkouts for purposes of: 33
	1556	+	(1) Political protest; 34
	1557	+	(2) Social or public policy advocacy; or 35
	1558	+	(3) Attempts to influence legislation or other governmental 36 SB246
	1559	+
	1560	+	42 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1561	+	policy-making at the local, state, or federal level. 1
	1562	+	(c) This section does not prohibit students from attending curricular 2
	1563	+	or cocurricular activities approved by the public school district or open -3
	1564	+	enrollment public charter school for credit. 4
	1565	+	5
	1566	+	SECTION 24. Arkansas Code § 6 -18-1104(b), concerning parental 6
	1567	+	notification and permission related to school fundraising programs, is 7
	1568	+	amended to read as follows: 8
	1569	+	(b) A one-page form for parental notification and permission shall be 9
	1570	+	developed by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education in 10
	1571	+	cooperation with school administrators and the Arkansas Parent Teacher 11
	1572	+	Association. 12
	1573	+	13
	1574	+	SECTION 25. Arkansas Code § 6 -18-2004(b)(2)(G)(vi), concerning the 14
	1575	+	direct and indirect services offered as comprehensive student services by a 15
	1576	+	school counselor as part of a contributing member of a decision -making team 16
	1577	+	in advanced placement and gifted and talented programs, is amended to read as 17
	1578	+	follows: 18
	1579	+	(vi) Advanced placement Accelerated learning and 19
	1580	+	gifted and talented programs. 20
	1581	+	21
	1582	+	SECTION 26. Arkansas Code § 6 -18-2004(c), concerning administrative 22
	1583	+	activities performed by a school counselor, is amended to read as follows: 23
	1584	+	(c)(1) Administrative activities performed by a school counselor shall 24
	1585	+	not exceed more than ten percent (10%) of the school counselor's time spent 25
	1586	+	working during student contact days. 26
	1587	+	(2) Administrative activities provided by a school counselor in 27
	1588	+	collaboration with other school personnel include without limitation: 28
	1589	+	(A) Coordinating state assessments, cognitive achievement 29
	1590	+	assessments, advanced placement accelerated learning programs, and English 30
	1591	+	language proficiency testing programs; 31
	1592	+	(B) Developing master schedules; 32
	1593	+	(C) Coordinating of: 33
	1594	+	(i) Teams convened under Section 504 of the 34
	1595	+	Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Pub. L. No. 93 -112; 35
	1596	+	(ii) Response-to-intervention teams; 36 SB246
	1597	+
	1598	+	43 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1599	+	(iii) English learner programs; 1
	1600	+	(iv) Parental involvement or family engagement 2
	1601	+	programs; 3
	1602	+	(v) Positive behavioral intervention support 4
	1603	+	programs; 5
	1604	+	(vi) Data entry; and 6
	1605	+	(vii) Advanced placement Accelerated learning and 7
	1606	+	gifted and talented programs; and 8
	1607	+	(D) Monitoring students in common areas such as the 9
	1608	+	cafeteria, hallway, playground, and bus lines. 10
1055	1609		11
1056		-	6-16-802. Purpose. 12
1057		-	(a) The purpose of this subchapter is to serve as a legislative 13
1058		-	charter for the establishment, organization, and administration of a program 14
1059		-	designed to improve the course offerings available to middle school, junior 15
1060		-	high school, and high school students throughout the state. 16
1061		-	(b) The program established under this subchapter will provide 17
1062		-	advanced educational courses that are easily accessible and that will prepare 18
1063		-	students for admission to and success in a postsecondary educational 19
1064		-	environment. 20
1065		-	(c) A key component in the program is adequately preparing teachers 21
1066		-	and schools in providing advanced placement courses or courses offered under 22
1067		-	the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme to their students. 23
1068		-	24
1069		-	6-16-803. Definitions. 25
1070		-	As used in this subchapter: 26
1071		-	(1) “Advanced placement course” means a high school level 27
1072		-	preparatory course for a college advanced placement test that incorporates 28
1073		-	all topics specified by the College Board and Educational Testing Service on 29
1074		-	its standard syllabus for a given subject area and is approved by the College 30
1075		-	Board and Educational Testing Service; 31
1076		-	(2) “College advanced placement test” means the advanced 32
1077		-	placement test administered by the College Board and Educational Testing 33
1078		-	Service; 34
1079		-	(3) “College Board” means the College Board and Educational 35
1080		-	Testing Service; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1081		-
1082		-	28 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1083		-
1084		-
1085		-	(4) “International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme” means an 1
1086		-	international education program offered by the International Baccalaureate; 2
1087		-	(5) “Preadvanced placement course” means a middle school, junior 3
1088		-	high school, or high school level course that specifically prepares students 4
1089		-	to enroll and participate in an advanced placement course; 5
1090		-	(6) “Program” means the Arkansas Advanced Placement and 6
1091		-	International Baccalaureate Diploma Incentive Program; and 7
1092		-	(7) “State board” means the State Board of Education. 8
1093		-	9
1094		-	6-16-804. Established — Subsidies — Rules. 10
1095		-	(a) The Arkansas Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate 11
1096		-	Diploma Incentive Program is hereby established, to be administered by the 12
1097		-	Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. 13
1098		-	(b) Contingent upon legislative appropriations and based on criteria 14
1099		-	established by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, schools 15
1100		-	participating in the program may be awarded a one -time equipment and 16
1101		-	instructional materials grant for providing an advanced placement course or a 17
1102		-	course offered under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. 18
1103		-	(c) Subject to legislative appropriations, a teacher participating in 19
1104		-	the advanced placement program, in the International Baccalaureate Diploma 20
1105		-	Programme, or in the preadvanced placement program may be awarded subsidized 21
1106		-	teacher training for advanced placement courses at a cost not to exceed six 22
1107		-	hundred fifty dollars ($650) per teacher. 23
1108		-	(d)(1) Contingent upon legislative appropriation and the availability 24
1109		-	of funding, the state may pay in full, or on a pro rata basis as determined 25
1110		-	under subdivision (d)(2) of this section, the cost of the advanced placement 26
1111		-	test fee or the equivalent test fee under the International Baccalaureate 27
1112		-	Diploma Programme, or both. 28
1113		-	(2) The State Board of Education may create a sliding scale 29
1114		-	based on family income. 30
1115		-	(e) The state board is authorized to promulgate rules necessary to 31
1116		-	implement this subchapter. 32
	1610	+	SECTION 27. Arkansas Code § 6 -20-2203(a)(4), concerning the 12
	1611	+	development by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education of the 13
	1612	+	Arkansas Financial Accounting Handbook, is amended to read as follows: 14
	1613	+	(4) The rules shall be developed by the state board in 15
	1614	+	cooperation with the division , and representatives from the Arkansas 16
	1615	+	Association of Educational Administrators, the Arkansas Association of School 17
	1616	+	Business Officials, the Arkansas Education Association, the education service 18
	1617	+	cooperatives, and the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee. 19
	1618	+	20
	1619	+	SECTION 28. Arkansas Code § 6 -20-2204(a)(3)(A), concerning required 21
	1620	+	training for public school districts, open -enrollment public charter schools, 22
	1621	+	and education service cooperatives under the Arkansas Educational Financial 23
	1622	+	Accounting and Reporting Act of 2004, is amended to read as follows: 24
	1623	+	(3)(A) The instruction may be provided by an institution of 25
	1624	+	higher education in this state, from instruction sponsored by the division , 26
	1625	+	by an in-service training program conducted by the Arkansas Association of 27
	1626	+	School Business Officials , or from another provider. 28
	1627	+	29
	1628	+	SECTION 29. Arkansas Code § 6 -20-2204(b)(2), concerning required Tier 30
	1629	+	II training for public school districts, open -enrollment public charter 31
	1630	+	schools, and education service cooperatives under the Arkansas Educational 32
	1631	+	Financial Accounting and Reporting Act of 2004, is amended to read as 33
	1632	+	follows: 34
	1633	+	(2) Tier II training shall be developed by the division in 35
	1634	+	cooperation with representatives from the Arkansas Association of Educational 36 SB246
	1635	+
	1636	+	44 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1637	+	Administrators, the Arkansas Association of School Business Officials, the 1
	1638	+	Arkansas Education Association, the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee , and 2
	1639	+	the education service cooperatives . 3
	1640	+	4
	1641	+	SECTION 30. Arkansas Code § 6 -20-2207(b)(1), concerning the rules 5
	1642	+	governing the uniform budget and accounting system for school districts, 6
	1643	+	education service cooperatives, and open -enrollment public charter schools, 7
	1644	+	is amended to read as follows: 8
	1645	+	(b)(1)(A) The state board shall amend the rules, and the Division of 9
	1646	+	Elementary and Secondary Education shall amend the Arkansas Financial 10
	1647	+	Accounting Handbook provided in subsection (a) of this section as necessary. 11
	1648	+	(B) The amendments, annual revisions, and financial 12
	1649	+	accounting updates to the Arkansas Financial Accounting Handbook shall be 13
	1650	+	developed with representatives from the Arkansas Association of School 14
	1651	+	Business Officials, the education service cooperatives, and other school 15
	1652	+	district officials as designated by the division. 16
	1653	+	17
	1654	+	SECTION 31. Arkansas Code § 6 -21-113(a), concerning the membership of 18
	1655	+	the Advisory Committee on Public School Academic Facilities, is amended to 19
	1656	+	read as follows: 20
	1657	+	(a) To assist the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and 21
	1658	+	Transportation, there is established the Advisory Committee on Public School 22
	1659	+	Academic Facilities to be composed of the following members who must be 23
	1660	+	willing to devote adequate time to the work of the committee and who reflect 24
	1661	+	the demographics of the state: 25
	1662	+	(1) The Director of the Division of Public School Academic 26
	1663	+	Facilities and Transportation or the director's designee, who shall also 27
	1664	+	serve as secretary to the committee; 28
	1665	+	(2) One (1) person who is a licensed building contractor 29
	1666	+	experienced in public school construction selected from a list of no fewer 30
	1667	+	than three (3) names submitted by the Arkansas Chapter of the Associated 31
	1668	+	General Contractors of America ; 32
	1669	+	(3) One (1) person who is a licensed architect experienced in 33
	1670	+	public school design submitted by the Arkansas Chapter, the American 34
	1671	+	Institute of Architects ; 35
	1672	+	(4) One (1) person who is a licensed or registered mechanical 36 SB246
	1673	+
	1674	+	45 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1675	+	engineer experienced in public school mechanical and plumbing systems design 1
	1676	+	selected from a list of no fewer than three (3) names submitted by the 2
	1677	+	Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers ; 3
	1678	+	(5) One (1) person who is a licensed or registered electrical 4
	1679	+	engineer experienced in public school electrical systems design selected from 5
	1680	+	a list of no fewer than three (3) names submitted by the Arkansas Society of 6
	1681	+	Professional Engineers ; 7
	1682	+	(6) One (1) person who is a licensed or registered civil 8
	1683	+	engineer experienced in public school civil engineering design and 9
	1684	+	construction selected from a list of no fewer than three (3) names submitted 10
	1685	+	by the Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers ; 11
	1686	+	(7) Two (2) persons selected by the Commission for Arkansas 12
	1687	+	Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation, one (1) of whom is 13
	1688	+	knowledgeable and holds certification in the field of educational technology 14
	1689	+	applications and strategies; 15
	1690	+	(8) Two (2) persons selected from a list of six (6) names 16
	1691	+	submitted by the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators from its 17
	1692	+	membership; 18
	1693	+	(9) One (1) person selected from a list of three (3) names 19
	1694	+	submitted by the Arkansas Education Association from its membership; 20
	1695	+	(10) Two (2) persons selected from a list of six (6) names 21
	1696	+	submitted by the Arkansas School Boards Association from its membership; 22
	1697	+	(11) Two (2) persons selected from a list of six (6) names 23
	1698	+	submitted by the Arkansas Rural Ed Association from its membership; 24
	1699	+	(12) One (1) person selected from a list of three (3) names 25
	1700	+	submitted by the Arkansas Public School Resource Center, Inc., from its 26
	1701	+	membership; and 27
	1702	+	(13) Three (3) persons, one (1) from each of the professions of 28
	1703	+	construction, architecture, and education, selected by the commission to 29
	1704	+	serve as ex-officio members of the committee based on prior service on the 30
	1705	+	committee; 31
	1706	+	(9) One (1) licensed teacher appointed by the Commissioner of 32
	1707	+	Elementary and Secondary Education; 33
	1708	+	(10) One (1) principal appointed by the commissioner; and 34
	1709	+	(11) One (1) superintendent appointed by the commissioner . 35
	1710	+	36 SB246
	1711	+
	1712	+	46 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1713	+	SECTION 32. Arkansas Code § 6 -21-817(b), concerning the membership of 1
	1714	+	the Public School Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Committee, is 2
	1715	+	amended to read as follows: 3
	1716	+	(b) The committee shall be composed of six (6) members as follows the 4
	1717	+	following members: 5
	1718	+	(1) One (1) member from the Building Authority Division; 6
	1719	+	(2) One (1) member from the Division of Public School Academic 7
	1720	+	Facilities and Transportation; 8
	1721	+	(3) One (1) member from the State Fire Marshal Office of the 9
	1722	+	Division of Arkansas State Police Office of Fire Protection Services ; 10
	1723	+	(4) One (1) member from the Division of Elementary and Secondary 11
	1724	+	Education; 12
	1725	+	(5) One (1) member from the Arkansas Association of Educational 13
	1726	+	Administrators; and 14
	1727	+	(6) One (1) member from the Arkansas Public School Resource 15
	1728	+	Center, Inc. 16
	1729	+	(5) Other relevant stakeholders deemed necessary by the members 17
	1730	+	designated under subdivisions (b)(1) -(4) of this section. 18
	1731	+	19
	1732	+	SECTION 33. Arkansas Code § 6 -28-112(b), concerning academic course 20
	1733	+	placement under the Arkansas Military Child School Transitions Act of 2021, 21
	1734	+	is amended to read as follows: 22
	1735	+	(b) Academic course placement includes without limitation enrollment 23
	1736	+	in: 24
	1737	+	(1) Honors courses Accelerated learning courses ; and 25
	1738	+	(2) The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme; 26
	1739	+	(3) Advanced Placement courses; and 27
	1740	+	(4) Academic, technical, and career pathway courses. 28
	1741	+	29
	1742	+	SECTION 34. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 28, Subchapter 2, is 30
	1743	+	amended to add an additional section to read as follows: 31
	1744	+	§ 6-28-207. Purple Star Schools. 32
	1745	+	(a) A public school district or an open -enrollment public charter 33
	1746	+	school that shows a significant commitment to serving students and families 34
	1747	+	connected to the United States Armed Forces may be designated as a Purple 35
	1748	+	Star School or Purple Star School District. 36 SB246
	1749	+
	1750	+	47 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1751	+	(b) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education may promulgate 1
	1752	+	rules to implement this section. 2
	1753	+	3
	1754	+	SECTION 35. Arkansas Code § 6-41-610(b)(2), concerning the membership 4
	1755	+	of the committee that develops and updates the Arkansas Dyslexia Resource 5
	1756	+	Guide, is amended to read as follows: 6
	1757	+	(2)(A) The committee shall include one (1) representative who 7
	1758	+	has the following members who shall have experience working in the field of 8
	1759	+	dyslexia intervention from the following organizations, and are appointed by 9
	1760	+	the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education: 10
	1761	+	(i)(A) The Arkansas Association of Educational 11
	1762	+	Administrators One (1) public school administrator ; 12
	1763	+	(ii)(B) The A representative from the Division of Learning 13
	1764	+	Services of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education; 14
	1765	+	(iii)(C) The A representative from the Division of Higher 15
	1766	+	Education; 16
	1767	+	(iv)(D) The Arkansas Education Association One (1) public 17
	1768	+	school licensed educator ; 18
	1769	+	(v)(E) The Arkansas School Boards Association One (1) 19
	1770	+	public school district board of directors member ; 20
	1771	+	(vi)(F) The Arkansas School Psychology Association, A 21
	1772	+	school psychologist with at least three (3) years of experience in testing 22
	1773	+	for dyslexia; and 23
	1774	+	(vii)(G) An education service cooperative administrator .; 24
	1775	+	and 25
	1776	+	(B)(H) Three (3) professionals who have worked in a public 26
	1777	+	school who are knowledgeable in and have expertise in dyslexia screening and 27
	1778	+	interventions. 28
	1779	+	29
	1780	+	SECTION 36. Arkansas Code §§ 6 -51-602 and 6-51-603 are amended to read 30
	1781	+	as follows: 31
	1782	+	6-51-602. Definitions. 32
	1783	+	As used in this subchapter , unless the context otherwise requires : 33
	1784	+	(1) “Admissions representative” means a person who executes an 34
	1785	+	enrollment agreement and who receives compensation for the primary duties of 35
	1786	+	encouraging prospective students to enroll for training in a program of study 36 SB246
	1787	+
	1788	+	48 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1789	+	offered by a school covered under the provisions of this subchapter; 1
	1790	+	(2) “Board” means the State Board of Private Career Education 2
	1791	+	Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board ; 3
	1792	+	(3) “Combination school” means any school in which programs of 4
	1793	+	study are conducted by both distance education and resident training; 5
	1794	+	(4) “Director” means the authorized representative of the State 6
	1795	+	Board of Private Career Education for the purpose of administering the 7
	1796	+	provisions of this subchapter; 8
	1797	+	(5) “Distance education school” means any school in which all 9
	1798	+	programs of study are conducted by distance education; 10
	1799	+	(6) “Extension course site” means a location away from the 11
	1800	+	school where a course or courses are conducted one (1) or more times during 12
	1801	+	the licensure period; 13
	1802	+	(4) "Institution of higher education" means a: 14
	1803	+	(A) State-supported two-year or four-year college or 15
	1804	+	university; or 16
	1805	+	(B) Private, nonprofit two -year or four-year college or 17
	1806	+	university with its primary headquarters located in Arkansas that is eligible 18
	1807	+	to receive Title IV federal student aid funds; 19
	1808	+	(7)(5) “Program of study” means an organized unit of courses or 20
	1809	+	an individual course in which instruction is offered; 21
	1810	+	(8) “Resident school” means any school in which all programs of 22
	1811	+	study are conducted in resident classrooms or held in public meeting 23
	1812	+	facilities; 24
	1813	+	(9)(6) “Satellite school” means a location within the State of 25
	1814	+	school located in Arkansas but away from the school where programs of study 26
	1815	+	are offered on a regular continuing basis by Arkansas schools; 27
	1816	+	(10)(A)(7)(A) “School” means any person, firm, partnership, 28
	1817	+	association, corporation, or other form of business organization seeking to 29
	1818	+	do business or offering in the State of Arkansas an entity that offers: 30
	1819	+	(i) An Arkansas resident or correspondence training 31
	1820	+	that leads to or enhances occupational qualifications .; 32
	1821	+	(B) “School” also means any firm, partnership, 33
	1822	+	association, corporation, or other form of business organization that offers 34
	1823	+	instruction 35
	1824	+	(ii) Instruction in airframe or power plant 36 SB246
	1825	+
	1826	+	49 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1827	+	mechanics.; 1
	1828	+	(C)(iii) “School” also means any firm, partnership, 2
	1829	+	association, corporation, or other form of business organization that offers 3
	1830	+	training Training as preparation for passing exams that may lead to 4
	1831	+	employment.; or 5
	1832	+	(D)(iv) “School” also means any firm, partnership, 6
	1833	+	association, corporation, or other form of business organization that offers 7
	1834	+	driver Driver education training, excluding those courses taught to motor 8
	1835	+	vehicle violators pursuant to court order. 9
	1836	+	(E)(B) “School” does not include : 10
	1837	+	(i) A program of instruction in yoga or in yoga -11
	1838	+	teacher training; or 12
	1839	+	(ii) An an institution that is subject to the 13
	1840	+	jurisdiction of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board under § 6 -14
	1841	+	61-301 of higher education; and 15
	1842	+	(11)(8) “Student” or “enrollee” means a person who is seeking to 16
	1843	+	enroll, has been enrolled, is sought for enrollment, or is seeking training 17
	1844	+	or instruction in a school as defined in this section. 18
	1845	+	19
	1846	+	6-51-603. Exemptions. 20
	1847	+	The following are exempt from licensure under this subchapter: 21
	1848	+	(1) Private institutions exclusively offering instruction at any 22
	1849	+	or all levels from preschool prekindergarten through twelfth grade twelve 23
	1850	+	(preK-12); 24
	1851	+	(2) Schools established by laws of Arkansas laws, governed by 25
	1852	+	Arkansas boards, and permitted to operate for the sole purpose of providing 26
	1853	+	specific training normally required to qualify persons for occupational 27
	1854	+	licensure by state boards or commissions, which determine education and other 28
	1855	+	standards for licensure and operation of such schools; 29
	1856	+	(3) State colleges and universities coordinated by the Arkansas 30
	1857	+	Higher Education Coordinating Board Institutions of higher education ; 31
	1858	+	(4) Programs of study offered by institutions or individuals for 32
	1859	+	personal improvement, whether avocational or recreational, if designated 33
	1860	+	through media or other sources as not for the purpose of enhancing an 34
	1861	+	occupational objective; 35
	1862	+	(5) Schools operated solely to provide programs of study in 36 SB246
	1863	+
	1864	+	50 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1865	+	theology, divinity, religious education, and ministerial training; 1
	1866	+	(6) A training program offered or sponsored by an employer for 2
	1867	+	training and preparation of its own employees and for which no tuition fee is 3
	1868	+	charged the employee; 4
	1869	+	(7) A program of study sponsored by a recognized trade, 5
	1870	+	business, or professional organization for instruction of the members of the 6
	1871	+	organization with a closed membership and for which no fee is charged the 7
	1872	+	member; 8
	1873	+	(8) A school or educational institution supported by state or 9
	1874	+	local government taxation; 10
	1875	+	(9) Flight instructors and flight instruction schools licensed 11
	1876	+	under appropriate Federal Aviation Administration regulations and offering 12
	1877	+	only training for a private pilot's license; 13
	1878	+	(10) Schools covered by § 6 -61-301(a)(3) and exempt from § 6 -61-14
	1879	+	101 et seq.; 15
	1880	+	(11) Training offered by other Arkansas state agencies, boards, 16
	1881	+	or commissions; 17
	1882	+	(12)(A) Training offered on military bases where a majority of 18
	1883	+	the students enrolled are active duty personnel or their adult family 19
	1884	+	members, United States Department of Defense civilian employees or their 20
	1885	+	adult family members, members of the United States Armed Forces reserve 21
	1886	+	components, and retirees. 22
	1887	+	(B) These organizations shall remain exempt from the 23
	1888	+	requirement for licensure if required to move off the military installation 24
	1889	+	for a period of not more than ninety (90) days because of a change in 25
	1890	+	security level which would not allow civilian students on the installation. 26
	1891	+	(C) The State Board of Private Career Division of Higher 27
	1892	+	Education shall have the authority to may review any situations that extend 28
	1893	+	past the ninety-day period and determine whether the exemption status should 29
	1894	+	remain for the school; 30
	1895	+	(13) Certified nurse aide or certified nursing assistant 31
	1896	+	training programs: 32
	1897	+	(A) Whose underlying majority ownership has ownership of 33
	1898	+	five (5) or more nursing facilities licensed by the Office of Long -Term Care; 34
	1899	+	and 35
	1900	+	(B) That are under the regulatory oversight of the office; 36 SB246
	1901	+
	1902	+	51 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1903	+	and 1
	1904	+	(14) Schools located outside the state that: 2
	1905	+	(A) Offer education or training outside the state; and 3
	1906	+	(B) Do not participate in distance education. 4
	1907	+	5
	1908	+	SECTION 37. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-605 is amended to read as follows: 6
	1909	+	6-51-605. State Board of Private Career Education Authority of Division 7
	1910	+	of Higher Education. 8
	1911	+	(a)(1)(A) The Governor shall appoint a State Board of Private Career 9
	1912	+	Education of seven (7) members who shall serve for terms of seven (7) years. 10
	1913	+	(B) The Governor shall make appointments or reappointments 11
	1914	+	to the board to provide membership of three (3) persons associated with 12
	1915	+	schools and four (4) persons from the general public. 13
	1916	+	(2) The Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education and the 14
	1917	+	Director of the Division of Career and Technical Education or their designees 15
	1918	+	shall serve as nonvoting, ex officio members of the board. 16
	1919	+	(b)(1) The board may elect the necessary officers, acting by and 17
	1920	+	through the Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education. 18
	1921	+	(2) The Division of Higher Education shall have the sole 19
	1922	+	authority to: 20
	1923	+	(A)(1) Approve all schools offering programs of study 21
	1924	+	leading to or enhancing an occupational objective; 22
	1925	+	(B) Administer and enforce this subchapter; and 23
	1926	+	(C)(2) Issue licenses to schools that have met the 24
	1927	+	standards set forth for the purposes of this subchapter established by the 25
	1928	+	Division of Higher Education, including without limitation programs: 26
	1929	+	(A) Programs of study, adequate; 27
	1930	+	(B) Adequate facilities, financial; 28
	1931	+	(C) Financial stability, qualified; 29
	1932	+	(D) Qualified personnel, and legitimate; and 30
	1933	+	(E) Legitimate operating practices. 31
	1934	+	(c)(b) Upon approval by the Division of Higher Education, any such 32
	1935	+	school may issue certificates or diplomas. 33
	1936	+	(d)(c) The Division of Higher Education shall: 34
	1937	+	(1) Formulate the Establish criteria and the standards evolved 35
	1938	+	for the approval of such licensed schools; 36 SB246
	1939	+
	1940	+	52 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1941	+	(2) Provide for adequate investigation of all schools applying 1
	1942	+	for a license; 2
	1943	+	(3) Issue licenses to those applicants meeting the standards 3
	1944	+	fixed established by the Division of Higher Education; and 4
	1945	+	(4) Maintain a list of schools approved under the provisions of 5
	1946	+	this subchapter. 6
	1947	+	(e) The Division of Higher Education shall formulate the standards 7
	1948	+	evolved under this subchapter for the approval of admissions representatives 8
	1949	+	of such licensed schools and issue licenses to those applicants meeting the 9
	1950	+	standards fixed by the Division of Higher Education. 10
	1951	+	(f)(d) In consultation with the board, the The Division of Higher 11
	1952	+	Education shall may promulgate standards and rules to be prescribed for the 12
	1953	+	administration of this subchapter and the management and operation of the 13
	1954	+	schools and admissions representatives, subject to the provisions of 14
	1955	+	implement this subchapter. 15
	1956	+	(g)(e) The Division of Higher Education shall participate in the 16
	1957	+	administer hearings before the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board 17
	1958	+	for provided to schools and admissions representatives in cases of facing 18
	1959	+	revocation or denial of licensure. 19
	1960	+	(h) Official meetings of the board may be called by the Chair of the 20
	1961	+	State Board of Private Career Education as necessary, but meetings shall be 21
	1962	+	held at least four (4) times a year. 22
	1963	+	(i) A majority of favorable votes by the board members at an official 23
	1964	+	meeting is required for adoption of a recommendation. 24
	1965	+	(j) Board members may be reimbursed for expenses in accordance with § 25
	1966	+	25-16-901 and stipends according to § 25 -16-903. 26
	1967	+	(k) The board may adopt and use a seal, which may be used for the 27
	1968	+	authentication of the recommendations of the board. 28
	1969	+	(l)(1)(f)(1) The Division of Higher Education shall annually require 29
	1970	+	background investigations for all partners or shareholders with ten percent 30
	1971	+	(10%) or more ownership interest in a school when the school seeks an 31
	1972	+	original license. 32
	1973	+	(2) The Division of Higher Education may establish a schedule 33
	1974	+	for periodic background checks for partners or shareholders with ten percent 34
	1975	+	(10%) or more ownership interest in a school when seeking renewal of a school 35
	1976	+	license. 36 SB246
	1977	+
	1978	+	53 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	1979	+	(m)(1)(g)(1) The partners or shareholders shall apply to the 1
	1980	+	Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police for a state 2
	1981	+	and national criminal background check to be conducted by the Federal Bureau 3
	1982	+	of Investigation. 4
	1983	+	(2) The check shall conform to the applicable federal standards 5
	1984	+	and shall include the taking of fingerprints. 6
	1985	+	(3) The applicant shall sign a release of information to the 7
	1986	+	board and shall be responsible to the Division of Arkansas State Police for 8
	1987	+	the payment of any fee associated with the criminal background check. 9
	1988	+	(4) Upon completion of the criminal background check, the 10
	1989	+	Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police shall forward 11
	1990	+	to the Division of Higher Education all information obtained concerning the 12
	1991	+	person in the commission of any offense listed in § 6 -51-606(g)(3). 13
	1992	+	(5)(A) The Division of Higher Education may issue a nonrenewable 14
	1993	+	temporary license pending the results of the criminal background check. 15
	1994	+	(B) The temporary license shall be valid for no more than 16
	1995	+	six (6) months. 17
	1996	+	(C) Upon receipt of information from the Identification 18
	1997	+	Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police that only one (1) of the 19
	1998	+	partners or shareholders of the school holding the license has been convicted 20
	1999	+	of any offense listed in § 6 -51-606(g)(3), the Division of Higher Education 21
	2000	+	shall revoke the license. 22
	2001	+	(n)(1)(h)(1) The provisions of Licensure revocation under § 6-51-23
	2002	+	606(g) may be waived by the Division of Higher Education upon the request of: 24
	2003	+	(A) An affected applicant for licensure; or 25
	2004	+	(B) The partners or shareholders of a school holding a 26
	2005	+	license subject to revocation. 27
	2006	+	(2) Circumstances for which a waiver may be granted shall 28
	2007	+	include, but not be limited to, without limitation the following: 29
	2008	+	(A) The age at which the crime was committed; 30
	2009	+	(B) The circumstances surrounding the crime; 31
	2010	+	(C) The length of time since the crime; 32
	2011	+	(D) Subsequent work history; 33
	2012	+	(E) Employment references; 34
	2013	+	(F) Character references; and 35
	2014	+	(G) Other evidence demonstrating that the applicant does 36 SB246
	2015	+
	2016	+	54 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2017	+	not pose a threat. 1
	2018	+	(o)(1)(i)(1) Any information received by the Division of Higher 2
	2019	+	Education from the Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State 3
	2020	+	Police under this section shall not be available for examination except by: 4
	2021	+	(A) The affected applicant for licensure or his or her 5
	2022	+	authorized representative; or 6
	2023	+	(B) The person whose license is subject to revocation or 7
	2024	+	his or her authorized representative. 8
	2025	+	(2) No record, file, or document shall be removed from the 9
	2026	+	custody of the Division of Arkansas State Police. 10
	2027	+	(p)(j) Any information made available to the affected applicant for 11
	2028	+	licensure or the person whose license is subject to revocation shall be 12
	2029	+	information pertaining to that person only. 13
	2030	+	(q)(k) Rights of privilege and confidentiality established in this 14
	2031	+	section shall not extend to any document created for purposes other than the 15
	2032	+	background check required by this section. 16
	2033	+	(r) In consultation with the board, the Division of Higher Education 17
	2034	+	shall adopt the necessary rules to fully implement the provisions of this 18
	2035	+	section. 19
	2036	+	20
	2037	+	SECTION 38. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-606 is amended to read as follows: 21
	2038	+	6-51-606. School license generally. 22
	2039	+	(a) No persons shall operate, conduct, maintain, or offer to operate 23
	2040	+	in this state Arkansas a school as defined in this subchapter, or solicit the 24
	2041	+	enrollment of students residing in the state Arkansas, unless a license is 25
	2042	+	first secured from the Division of Higher Education issued in accordance with 26
	2043	+	the provisions of this subchapter and the rules promulgated by the division 27
	2044	+	in consultation with the State Board of Private Career Education . 28
	2045	+	(b)(1) Application An application for a license shall be filed in the 29
	2046	+	manner and upon the forms prescribed and furnished by the division for that 30
	2047	+	purpose signed and include all required information as prescribed by the 31
	2048	+	division. 32
	2049	+	(2) The application shall be signed by the applicant and 33
	2050	+	properly verified and shall contain such information as may apply to the type 34
	2051	+	and kind of school, satellite school, or extension course site for which a 35
	2052	+	license is sought. 36 SB246
	2053	+
	2054	+	55 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2055	+	(c)(1) A license issued shall be restricted to the programs of study 1
	2056	+	specifically indicated in the application for a license. 2
	2057	+	(2) The holder of a license shall present a supplementary 3
	2058	+	application for approval of additional programs of study. 4
	2059	+	(d) The license shall remain the property of the State of Arkansas and 5
	2060	+	shall be returned to the division upon cause. 6
	2061	+	(e) After a license is issued to any school by the division on the 7
	2062	+	basis of its application , it shall be the responsibility of the school to 8
	2063	+	notify the division immediately the division of any changes in the ownership, 9
	2064	+	administration, location, faculty, or programs of study on the forms and in 10
	2065	+	the manner prescribed by the division . 11
	2066	+	(f)(1) In the event of the sale of such school, the license granted to 12
	2067	+	the original owner or operators shall not be transferable to the new 13
	2068	+	ownership or operators , but. 14
	2069	+	(2) An application for a new license must shall be made and 15
	2070	+	approved before the new ownership's taking over operation of the school. 16
	2071	+	(g) The division shall have the power to deny issuing a new or renewal 17
	2072	+	license, to revoke an existing license, or to place a licensee on probation, 18
	2073	+	if in its discretion it determines that: 19
	2074	+	(1) The licensee has violated any of the provisions of this 20
	2075	+	subchapter or any of the rules of the division; 21
	2076	+	(2) The applicant or licensee has knowingly presented to the 22
	2077	+	division incomplete or misleading information relating to licensure; 23
	2078	+	(3) The applicant or licensee has pleaded guilty, entered a plea 24
	2079	+	of nolo contendere, or has been found guilty in a criminal proceeding, 25
	2080	+	regardless of whether or not the adjudication of guilt or sentence is 26
	2081	+	withheld, deferred, or suspended by a court of this state Arkansas, another 27
	2082	+	state, or the United States Government, of: 28
	2083	+	(A) Any felony; or 29
	2084	+	(B) Any act involving moral turpitude, gross immorality, 30
	2085	+	or which is related to the qualifications, functions, and duties of a 31
	2086	+	licensee; 32
	2087	+	(4) The applicant or licensee has intentionally failed or 33
	2088	+	refused to permit the division or its representatives to inspect the school 34
	2089	+	or classes or has intentionally failed or refused to make available to the 35
	2090	+	division, at any time when requested to do so , full information pertaining to 36 SB246
	2091	+
	2092	+	56 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2093	+	any or all items of information contained in an application for license or 1
	2094	+	pertaining to the operation of the school; 2
	2095	+	(5) The applicant has failed or refused to submit to the 3
	2096	+	division an application for license or renewal in the manner and on the forms 4
	2097	+	prescribed; 5
	2098	+	(6) A licensed admissions representative has failed or refused 6
	2099	+	to display or produce his or her license when requested to do so by 7
	2100	+	prospective students or designated officials of the division; 8
	2101	+	(7) The applicant or licensee has failed to provide or maintain 9
	2102	+	premises, equipment, materials, supplies, or conditions in accordance with 10
	2103	+	minimum standards as established by rules; 11
	2104	+	(8) The licensee has been found by the division or a court of 12
	2105	+	law to have perpetrated fraud or deceit in advertising of the school or 13
	2106	+	programs of study or in presenting to prospective students information 14
	2107	+	relating to the school, programs of study, employment opportunities, or 15
	2108	+	opportunities for enrollment in institutions of higher education; 16
	2109	+	(9) The licensee has in its employ any admissions 17
	2110	+	representatives who have not been licensed but are actively engaged in the 18
	2111	+	practice of attempting to enroll students; 19
	2112	+	(10) The licensee has failed to provide and maintain standards 20
	2113	+	of instruction or qualified administrative, supervisory, or instructional 21
	2114	+	staff as established by rules; 22
	2115	+	(11) The applicant or licensee is unable to provide and maintain 23
	2116	+	financial resources in sufficient amount to equip and maintain the school or 24
	2117	+	classes; 25
	2118	+	(12) The licensee has moved the school into new premises or 26
	2119	+	facilities without first notifying the division; 27
	2120	+	(13) The licensee has offered training or instruction in 28
	2121	+	programs of study which have not been approved and authorized in accordance 29
	2122	+	with rules; 30
	2123	+	(14) A licensed admissions representative has solicited 31
	2124	+	prospective students to enroll in a school which has not been licensed by the 32
	2125	+	division or which is not listed on his or her license; 33
	2126	+	(15) There was a change in the ownership of the school without 34
	2127	+	proper notification to and approval from the division; 35
	2128	+	(16) The licensee has failed to notify the division or to 36 SB246
	2129	+
	2130	+	57 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2131	+	provide written documentation as to the cause that the license of a school 1
	2132	+	has been suspended or revoked or the school has been placed on probation or a 2
	2133	+	show cause issued in another state or by another regulatory agency; 3
	2134	+	(17) The licensee has failed to notify the division of legal 4
	2135	+	actions initiated by or against the school; or 5
	2136	+	(18) The licensee fails to make tuition refunds to the students 6
	2137	+	or their lenders in compliance with current rules. 7
	2138	+	(h) The division shall have the power to revoke a license if in its 8
	2139	+	discretion it determines that: 9
	2140	+	(1) The licensee has failed to cure a deficiency leading to a 10
	2141	+	license probation within the time as may be reasonably prescribed by the 11
	2142	+	division; 12
	2143	+	(2) The licensee while on probation has been found by the 13
	2144	+	division to have incurred an additional infraction of this subchapter; or 14
	2145	+	(3) The licensee has closed a school without first having 15
	2146	+	completed the training of all students currently enrolled or having made 16
	2147	+	tuition refunds to students or their lenders. 17
	2148	+	(i) The division may impose sanctions under § 25 -15-217. 18
	2149	+	(j)(1) Unless directed to do so by court order, the division shall 19
	2150	+	not, for a period of five (5) years following revocation, reinstate the 20
	2151	+	license of a school or allow an owner of any such school to seek licensure of 21
	2152	+	another school. 22
	2153	+	(2) Upon expiration of licensure status, the school must apply 23
	2154	+	for an original license in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter. 24
	2155	+	(k)(1) Upon closure of a school located in Arkansas and licensed under 25
	2156	+	any provision of this subchapter, whether for license revocation or any other 26
	2157	+	cause, all student financial aid records for the previous three (3) years and 27
	2158	+	all student transcripts regardless of age must be delivered to the division. 28
	2159	+	(2) Delivered records shall be arranged in alphabetical order 29
	2160	+	and stored in boxes or in data format at the discretion of the division. 30
	2161	+	(3) The division shall be responsible for the proper security, 31
	2162	+	storage, and maintenance of all such records. 32
1117	2163		33
1118		-	6-16-805. Funding. 34
1119		-	(a) The awards granted under the provisions of this subchapter for 35
1120		-	both advanced placement and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1121		-
1122		-	29 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1123		-
1124		-
1125		-	may be funded by donations, grants, or legislative appropriation. 1
1126		-	(b) All donations, grants, and appropriations received shall be 2
1127		-	accounted for by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. 3
1128		-	(c) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education may solicit 4
1129		-	and receive donations and grants for the purpose of making awards. 5
	2164	+	SECTION 39. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-607(a)(1), concerning the payment of 34
	2165	+	annual fees by a private resident and correspondence school, is amended to 35
	2166	+	read as follows: 36 SB246
	2167	+
	2168	+	58 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2169	+	(a)(1) Each school licensed under this subchapter shall pay annually a 1
	2170	+	fee to be set by the Division of Higher Education in consultation with the 2
	2171	+	State Board of Private Career Education Arkansas Higher Education 3
	2172	+	Coordinating Board. 4
	2173	+	5
	2174	+	SECTION 40. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-609(k), concerning the promulgation 6
	2175	+	of rules related to private resident and correspondence schools, is repealed. 7
	2176	+	(k) In consultation with the State Board of Private Career Education, 8
	2177	+	the Division of Higher Education shall adopt the necessary rules to fully 9
	2178	+	implement the provisions of this section. 10
	2179	+	11
	2180	+	SECTION 41. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-610(a), concerning fees related to 12
	2181	+	private resident and correspondence schools, is amended to read as follows: 13
	2182	+	(a) In consultation with the State Board of Private Career Education 14
	2183	+	Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board , the Division of Higher 15
	2184	+	Education shall set fees for schools and admissions representatives. 16
	2185	+	17
	2186	+	SECTION 42. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-616 is amended to read as follows: 18
	2187	+	6-51-616. Student grievance procedure. 19
	2188	+	(a) Any student may file a written complaint with the Division of 20
	2189	+	Higher Education on the forms prescribed and furnished by the division for 21
	2190	+	that purpose if the student has reason to believe he or she is suffering loss 22
	2191	+	or damage resulting from: 23
	2192	+	(1) The failure of a school to perform agreements made with the 24
	2193	+	student; or 25
	2194	+	(2) An admissions representative's misrepresentations in 26
	2195	+	enrolling the student. 27
	2196	+	(b)(1) All complaints shall be investigated, and attempts shall be 28
	2197	+	made to resolve them informally. 29
	2198	+	(2) If an informal resolution cannot be achieved, the aggrieved 30
	2199	+	party may request a formal hearing to be held before the State Board of 31
	2200	+	Private Career Education Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board . 32
	2201	+	(c) The aggrieved party may not pursue resolution before the board if 33
	2202	+	legal action has been filed. 34
	2203	+	(d) The request for a hearing shall be in writing and filed with the 35
	2204	+	director division within one (1) year of completion of, or withdrawal from, 36 SB246
	2205	+
	2206	+	59 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2207	+	the school. 1
	2208	+	(e) The written request for a hearing shall name the parties involved 2
	2209	+	and specific facts giving rise to the dispute. 3
	2210	+	(f) The ruling of the board shall be binding upon the parties. 4
	2211	+	5
	2212	+	SECTION 43. The introductory language of Arkansas Code § 6 -51-617(a), 6
	2213	+	concerning dispute resolution by the State Board of Private Career Education, 7
	2214	+	is amended to read as follows: 8
	2215	+	(a) The State Board of Private Career Education Arkansas Higher 9
	2216	+	Education Coordinating Board shall represent the sole authority to resolve 10
	2217	+	disputes between a student and a school as to grievances relating to: 11
	2218	+	12
	2219	+	SECTION 44. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-621 is repealed. 13
	2220	+	6-51-621. Construction of subchapter. 14
	2221	+	Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to affect the 15
	2222	+	responsibilities of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board as 16
	2223	+	defined in § 6-61-301. 17
	2224	+	18
	2225	+	SECTION 45. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-622(d), concerning rules related to 19
	2226	+	noncommercial driver training instructions, is repealed. 20
	2227	+	(d)(1) In consultation with the State Board of Private Career 21
	2228	+	Education, the Division of Higher Education may promulgate reasonable rules 22
	2229	+	to implement, enforce, and administer this section. 23
	2230	+	(2) The rules of the division shall be issued in accordance with 24
	2231	+	the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25 -15-201 et seq. 25
	2232	+	26
	2233	+	SECTION 46. Arkansas Code § 6 -53-203(a), concerning powers and duties 27
	2234	+	of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board related to the technical 28
	2235	+	and community college system, is amended to add an additional subdivision to 29
	2236	+	read as follows: 30
	2237	+	(10) Promulgate rules to implement this chapter. 31
	2238	+	32
	2239	+	SECTION 47. Arkansas Code § 6 -60-1504 is amended to read as follows: 33
	2240	+	6-60-1504. Limitations. 34
	2241	+	(a) Nothing in this subchapter shall be interpreted as: 35
	2242	+	(1) Giving a member of the campus community the right to disrupt 36 SB246
	2243	+
	2244	+	60 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2245	+	a previously scheduled or otherwise reserved activity; 1
	2246	+	(2) Authorizing a member of the campus community to disregard a 2
	2247	+	policy of the state-supported institution of higher education regarding: 3
	2248	+	(A) Compliance with state and federal laws on 4
	2249	+	discrimination and harassment; or 5
	2250	+	(B) The productive and efficient operation of an 6
	2251	+	instructional or work environment; 7
	2252	+	(3) Preventing a state -supported institution of higher education 8
	2253	+	from prohibiting, limiting, or restricting expression that is not protected 9
	2254	+	under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Article 2, § 10
	2255	+	6, of the Arkansas Constitution; or 11
	2256	+	(4) Prohibiting a state -supported institution of higher 12
	2257	+	education from imposing a restriction on the time, place, or manner of 13
	2258	+	expression in or on a campus forum, provided the restriction on the time, 14
	2259	+	place, or manner of expression: 15
	2260	+	(A) Is reasonable; 16
	2261	+	(B) Is justified without reference to the viewpoint of the 17
	2262	+	speaker; 18
	2263	+	(C) Is narrowly tailored to serve a significant state 19
	2264	+	interest; and 20
	2265	+	(D) Leaves open ample alternative channels for 21
	2266	+	communication of the information or message contained in the expression. 22
	2267	+	(b) A state-supported institution of higher education shall not grant 23
	2268	+	excused absences for: 24
	2269	+	(1) Purposes of political protest; 25
	2270	+	(2) Social or public policy advocacy; or 26
	2271	+	(3) Attempts to influence legislation or other governmental 27
	2272	+	policymaking at the local, state, or federal level. 28
	2273	+	(c) Academic standards, teaching standards, education standards, 29
	2274	+	curriculum, teacher professional development, and rules in a state -supported 30
	2275	+	institution of higher education shall not authorize student walkouts for 31
	2276	+	purposes of: 32
	2277	+	(1) Political protest; 33
	2278	+	(2) Social or public policy advocacy; or 34
	2279	+	(3) Attempts to influence legislation or other governmental 35
	2280	+	policymaking at the local, state, or federal level. 36 SB246
	2281	+
	2282	+	61 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2283	+	(d) This section shall not be construed to prohibit students from 1
	2284	+	attending curricular or co -curricular activities approved by the state -2
	2285	+	supported institution of higher education for credit. 3
	2286	+	(e)(1) A student who negligently or intentionally causes damages to 4
	2287	+	the property of a state -supported institution of higher education while 5
	2288	+	engaging in a political protest or public policy advocacy shall be liable to 6
	2289	+	the state-supported institution of higher education for damages caused by the 7
	2290	+	student. 8
	2291	+	(2) A state-supported institution of higher education may seek 9
	2292	+	to recover damages described in subdivision (e)(1) of this section in a court 10
	2293	+	of competent jurisdiction. 11
	2294	+	(3) A student of a state -supported institution of higher 12
	2295	+	education who has been found liable for damages described in subdivision 13
	2296	+	(e)(1) of this section shall be subject to the following penalties until the 14
	2297	+	judgment is fully satisfied: 15
	2298	+	(A) The student shall be ineligible to receive a degree or 16
	2299	+	credential from the state -supported institution of higher education; and 17
	2300	+	(B) The state-supported institution of higher education 18
	2301	+	shall not transfer or otherwise endorse credit issued by the state -supported 19
	2302	+	institution of higher education for the purposes of satisfying degree 20
	2303	+	requirements at any other state -supported institution of higher education. 21
	2304	+	22
	2305	+	SECTION 48. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 60, is amended to add 23
	2306	+	additional subchapters to read as follows: 24
	2307	+	Subchapter 16 — Rejecting Discrimination and Indoctrination in Postsecondary 25
	2308	+	Education 26
	2309	+	27
	2310	+	6-60-1601. Legislative findings. 28
	2311	+	The General Assembly recognizes that: 29
	2312	+	(1) The First Amendment of the United States Constitution 30
	2313	+	robustly protects the right to speak without government interference, but not 31
	2314	+	to compel others to adopt, affirm, or adhere to specific beliefs; 32
	2315	+	(2) The Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution 33
	2316	+	provides that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the 34
	2317	+	equal protection of the law; 35
	2318	+	(3) Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 promotes the 36 SB246
	2319	+
	2320	+	62 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2321	+	desegregation of public schools and authorizes the United States Attorney 1
	2322	+	General to file lawsuits to enforce the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 2
	2323	+	1964. It defines "desegregation" as "the assignment of students to public 3
	2324	+	schools and within such schools without regard to their race, color, 4
	2325	+	religion, or national origin," thereby removing government -sanctioned racial 5
	2326	+	discrimination in schools and implementing the United States Supreme Court’s 6
	2327	+	holding in "Brown v. Board of Education" , 347 U.S. 483 (1954), that racial 7
	2328	+	separation is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth 8
	2329	+	Amendment; and 9
	2330	+	(4) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states that “No 10
	2331	+	person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national 11
	2332	+	origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be 12
	2333	+	subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal 13
	2334	+	financial assistance". 14
	2335	+	15
	2336	+	6-60-1602. Purpose. 16
	2337	+	(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that administrators, 17
	2338	+	faculty, and other employees of a state -supported institution of higher 18
	2339	+	education maintain nondiscriminatory policies in accordance with Title IV, 19
	2340	+	Title VI, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 20
	2341	+	(b) This subchapter is enacted to: 21
	2342	+	(1) Prevent discrimination; 22
	2343	+	(2) Promote the intellectual development of students and faculty 23
	2344	+	in Arkansas; and 24
	2345	+	(3) Protect the free exchange of ideas according to the United 25
	2346	+	States Constitution and the Arkansas Constitution. 26
	2347	+	27
	2348	+	6-60-1603. Definitions. 28
	2349	+	As used in this subchapter: 29
	2350	+	(1) “Accreditation” means the status of public recognition that 30
	2351	+	an accrediting agency grants to an educational institution; 31
	2352	+	(2) “Accrediting agency” means a legal entity or part of a legal 32
	2353	+	entity that: 33
	2354	+	(A) Conducts accrediting activities; and 34
	2355	+	(B) Makes decisions about the accreditation or pre - 35
	2356	+	accreditation status of educational institutions; 36 SB246
	2357	+
	2358	+	63 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2359	+	(3) “Affirm, adopt, or adhere to” includes communicative speech 1
	2360	+	or act or action, including without limitation: 2
	2361	+	(A) Engaging in symbolic speech; 3
	2362	+	(B) Holding signs; 4
	2363	+	(C) Raising hands; 5
	2364	+	(D) Signing a pledge; or 6
	2365	+	(E) Participating in a parade, “privilege walk”, or 7
	2366	+	racially segregated activity of any sort; 8
	2367	+	(4) “Compel” means: 9
	2368	+	(A) Causing or pressuring an individual to perform an act 10
	2369	+	or action against his or her will; or 11
	2370	+	(B) Retaliating against an individual who declines to 12
	2371	+	perform an act against his or her will; 13
	2372	+	(5) “Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative” or “DEI” 14
	2373	+	means: 15
	2374	+	(A) An office, division, department, or administrative 16
	2375	+	provider of a unit of study at a state -supported institution of higher 17
	2376	+	education with the purpose of: 18
	2377	+	(i) Influencing academic, administrative, hiring, or 19
	2378	+	employment practices at the state -supported institution of higher education; 20
	2379	+	(ii) Promoting: 21
	2380	+	(a) Preferences based upon race, color, sex, 22
	2381	+	ethnicity, or national origin; 23
	2382	+	(b) Differential treatment on the basis of 24
	2383	+	race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin; or 25
	2384	+	(c) Political or social activism to consider 26
	2385	+	race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin as factors in decision -27
	2386	+	making, except where required by federal or state law; or 28
	2387	+	(iii) Any promotion described in subdivision 29
	2388	+	(5)(A)(ii) of this section that conflicts with state and federal 30
	2389	+	antidiscrimination laws; or 31
	2390	+	(B) Any program, activity, applicant statement, or 32
	2391	+	training described in § 6 -60-1604 that promotes an activity described in 33
	2392	+	subdivision (5)(A)(ii) of this section; 34
	2393	+	(6) “State-supported institution of higher education” means a 35
	2394	+	public postsecondary institution or a department in a public postsecondary 36 SB246
	2395	+
	2396	+	64 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2397	+	institution that: 1
	2398	+	(A) Provides: 2
	2399	+	(i) An eligible program of training to prepare 3
	2400	+	students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation; or 4
	2401	+	(ii) A program leading to a baccalaureate degree or 5
	2402	+	a graduate degree; and 6
	2403	+	(B) Is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency or 7
	2404	+	association and has continuously held the accreditation for the number of 8
	2405	+	years required by the Division of Higher Education; and 9
	2406	+	(7) "Unit of study" means a class, single component, or subject 10
	2407	+	offered by a state-supported institution of higher education for the 11
	2408	+	completion of a degree or that leads to a postsecondary award, including 12
	2409	+	academic credit, or for the purposes of auditing a class. 13
	2410	+	14
	2411	+	6-60-1604. Prohibitions. 15
	2412	+	(a) An officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, or contractor 16
	2413	+	of a state-supported institution of higher education shall not compel another 17
	2414	+	officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, contractor, or student of 18
	2415	+	the state-supported institution of higher education to personally affirm, 19
	2416	+	adopt, or adhere to ideas or beliefs in violation of Title IV, Title VI, or 20
	2417	+	Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including without limitation: 21
	2418	+	(1) That an individual should be adversely or advantageously 22
	2419	+	treated on the basis of his or her race, ethnicity, sex, color, or national 23
	2420	+	origin; and 24
	2421	+	(2) That an individual student of a state -supported institution 25
	2422	+	of higher education or group of students of a state -supported institution of 26
	2423	+	higher education, by virtue of their race, ethnicity, sex, color, or national 27
	2424	+	origin, bear collective guilt or are inherently responsible for actions 28
	2425	+	committed by other members of the same race, ethnicity, sex, color, or 29
	2426	+	national origin. 30
	2427	+	(b) An officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, or contractor 31
	2428	+	of a state-supported institution of higher education shall not adversely or 32
	2429	+	advantageously treat students of the state -supported institution of higher 33
	2430	+	education differently on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, color, or 34
	2431	+	national origin except to the extent otherwise allowed by federal law. 35
	2432	+	(c)(1) An officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, or 36 SB246
	2433	+
	2434	+	65 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2435	+	contractor of a state -supported institution of higher education, when acting 1
	2436	+	in the course of his or her official duties, shall not organize, participate 2
	2437	+	in, or carry out any act or communication that would violate subsection (a) 3
	2438	+	of this section. 4
	2439	+	(2) The prohibition under subdivision (c)(1) of this section 5
	2440	+	shall not be construed to prohibit an employee of a state -supported 6
	2441	+	institution of higher education from: 7
	2442	+	(A) Discussing the ideas and history of the concepts 8
	2443	+	described in subsection (a) of this section for legitimate educational, 9
	2444	+	andragogical, or pedagogical purposes consistent with this subchapter; and 10
	2445	+	(B) Using methods of communication not in violation of 11
	2446	+	this subchapter. 12
	2447	+	(d) An officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, or contractor 13
	2448	+	of a state-supported institution of higher education may not condition 14
	2449	+	enrollment in or attendance of a class, training, or orientation of the 15
	2450	+	state-supported institution of higher education: 16
	2451	+	(1) On the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, color, or national 17
	2452	+	origin where not required by federal law; or 18
	2453	+	(2) On requiring an individual to personally affirm, adopt, or 19
	2454	+	adhere to a political, philosophical, religious, or other ideological 20
	2455	+	viewpoint. 21
	2456	+	(e) An officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, or contractor 22
	2457	+	of a state-supported institution of higher education shall not compel another 23
	2458	+	officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, contractor, or student of 24
	2459	+	the state-supported institution of higher education to personally affirm, 25
	2460	+	adopt, or adhere to a political, philosophical, religious, or other 26
	2461	+	ideological viewpoint. 27
	2462	+	(f) When taking an action on the accreditation or renewal of 28
	2463	+	accreditation of a state -supported institution of higher education, an 29
	2464	+	accrediting agency shall not: 30
	2465	+	(1) Base the accrediting decision in any way on a review or 31
	2466	+	consideration of DEI; 32
	2467	+	(2) Collect information related to DEI; 33
	2468	+	(3) Include any requirement related to DEI, including without 34
	2469	+	limitation requirement of a diversity statement from a state -supported 35
	2470	+	institution of higher education or any employee or contractor of a state -36 SB246
	2471	+
	2472	+	66 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2473	+	supported institution of higher education; or 1
	2474	+	(4) Include any requirement that compliance with which would 2
	2475	+	require the state-supported institution of higher education to violate this 3
	2476	+	subchapter. 4
	2477	+	(g)(1) This subchapter does not prohibit officers, agents, 5
	2478	+	administrators, employees, teachers, contractors, or students of a state -6
	2479	+	supported institution of higher education from discussing public policy 7
	2480	+	issues or ideas that individuals may find unwelcome, disagreeable, or 8
	2481	+	offensive. 9
	2482	+	(2) It is the policy of this state that a state -supported 10
	2483	+	institution of higher education educates students of the state -supported 11
	2484	+	institution of higher education on how to think and not what to think. 12
	2485	+	(h)(1) A state-supported institution of higher education that does not 13
	2486	+	immediately resolve a violation of this section shall demonstrate compliance 14
	2487	+	with all requirements of this section within a reasonable time. 15
	2488	+	(2)(A) A state-supported institution of higher education that 16
	2489	+	fails to demonstrate compliance with all requirements of this section within 17
	2490	+	a reasonable time as required under subdivision (h)(1) of this section shall 18
	2491	+	not be eligible for state funding under the state higher education funding 19
	2492	+	formula. 20
	2493	+	(B) In order to regain eligibility for receipt of state 21
	2494	+	funding, a state-supported institution of higher education shall demonstrate 22
	2495	+	compliance with all requirements of this section for not less than one (1) 23
	2496	+	fiscal year after the fiscal year in which the state -supported institution of 24
	2497	+	higher education became ineligible for receipt of state funding. 25
	2498	+	(i) A state-supported institution of higher education shall not expend 26
	2499	+	any state funds and shall reject any federal funds whose receipt requires the 27
	2500	+	state-supported institution of higher education to violate this subchapter. 28
	2501	+	(j) This subchapter shall not be construed to prevent compliance with 29
	2502	+	any state or federal civil rights laws that do not depend on receipt of state 30
	2503	+	or federal funding. 31
	2504	+	(k) A state-supported institution of higher education shall not 32
	2505	+	require a current or prospective officer, agent, administrator, employee, 33
	2506	+	teacher, contractor, or student of the state -supported institution of higher 34
	2507	+	education to submit a statement or diversity statement describing his or her 35
	2508	+	views on matters related to race, ethnicity, sex, color, or national origin 36 SB246
	2509	+
	2510	+	67 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2511	+	to be considered for the purposes of hiring, evaluating, admitting, or 1
	2512	+	promoting the officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, contractor, 2
	2513	+	or student of the state -supported institution of higher education. 3
	2514	+	(l) This subchapter may be enforced by the Attorney General on behalf 4
	2515	+	of the state. 5
1130	2516		6
1131		-	6-16-806. Treatment as advanced placement course. 7
1132		-	Any high school course offered under the International Baccalaureate 8
1133		-	Diploma Programme shall be treated the same as an advanced placement course, 9
1134		-	including for the following purposes: 10
1135		-	(1) Weighted credit; 11
1136		-	(2) The Arkansas Advanced Placement and International 12
1137		-	Baccalaureate Diploma Incentive Program Act of 1995, § 6 -16-801 et seq.; and 13
1138		-	(3) Reporting requirements. 14
1139		-	15
1140		-	SECTION 20. Arkansas Code §§ 6 -16-1202 through 6-16-1204 are amended 16
1141		-	to read as follows: 17
1142		-	6-16-1202. Definitions. 18
1143		-	As used in this subchapter: 19
1144		-	(1) “Advanced Placement course” means a high school level 20
1145		-	preparatory course for a college Advanced Placement test that: 21
1146		-	(A) Incorporates all topics specified by the College Board 22
1147		-	and Educational Testing Service on its standards syllabus for a given subject 23
1148		-	area; and 24
1149		-	(B) Is approved by the College Board and Educational 25
1150		-	Testing Service; 26
1151		-	(2) “Endorsed concurrent enrollment course” means a college -27
1152		-	level course offered by an institution of higher education in this state that 28
1153		-	upon completion would qualify for academic credit in both the institution of 29
1154		-	higher education and a public high school that: 30
1155		-	(A) Is in one (1) of the four (4) core areas of math, 31
1156		-	English, science, and social studies; 32
1157		-	(B) Meets the requirements of § 6 -16-1204(b); and 33
1158		-	(C) Is listed in the Arkansas Course Transfer System of 34
1159		-	the Division of Higher Education; 35
1160		-	(3) “Pre-Advanced Placement course” means a middle school, 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1161		-
1162		-	30 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1163		-
1164		-
1165		-	junior high school, or high school level course that specifically prepares 1
1166		-	students to enroll and to participate in an advanced placement course; and 2
1167		-	(4) “Vertical team” means a group of educators from different 3
1168		-	grade levels in a given discipline who work cooperatively to develop and 4
1169		-	implement a vertically aligned program aimed at helping students from diverse 5
1170		-	backgrounds acquire the academic skills necessary for success in the Advanced 6
1171		-	Placement program and other challenging coursework "Accelerated learning" 7
1172		-	means an organized method of learning that enables students to meet 8
1173		-	individual academic goals and graduation requirements while pursuing higher 9
1174		-	levels of skill development, including without limitation the following 10
1175		-	coursework: 11
1176		-	(A) A College Board pre -Advanced Placement and Advanced 12
1177		-	Placement course; 13
1178		-	(B) An International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 14
1179		-	course; 15
1180		-	(C) A Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of 16
1181		-	Education course; 17
1182		-	(D) A concurrent credit course; and 18
1183		-	(E) A substantively similar course or program approved by 19
1184		-	the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education; and 20
1185		-	(2) "Concurrent credit course" means a college -level course offered by 21
1186		-	an institution of higher education in this state that upon completion would 22
1187		-	qualify for academic credit in both the institution of higher education and a 23
1188		-	public high school. 24
1189		-	25
1190		-	6-16-1203. Teacher skills and training. 26
1191		-	(a)(1) A teacher of an Advanced Placement course must obtain 27
1192		-	appropriate training. 28
1193		-	(2) The State Board of Education shall establish clear, 29
1194		-	specific, and challenging training guidelines that require teachers of 30
1195		-	College Board advanced placement courses and teachers of pre -Advanced 31
1196		-	Placement courses to obtain College Board sponsored or endorsed training. 32
1197		-	(3) The training may include vertical team training. 33
1198		-	(b)(a) An instructor of an endorsed concurrent enrollment an 34
1199		-	accelerated learning or concurrent credit course shall have meet the 35
1200		-	requirements of the: 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1201		-
1202		-	31 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1203		-
1204		-
1205		-	(1) Institution of higher education that is offering the course; 1
1206		-	or 2
1207		-	(2) Accrediting organization authorized under § 6 -16-1202: 3
1208		-	(1)(A) No less than a master's degree that includes at least 4
1209		-	eighteen (18) hours of completed course work in the subject area of the 5
1210		-	endorsed concurrent enrollment course . 6
1211		-	(B)(b)(1) The An instructor's credentials shall be 7
1212		-	approved by the academic unit or chief academic officer of the institution of 8
1213		-	higher education offering the endorsed concurrent credit enrollment course; 9
1214		-	and. 10
1215		-	(2) The relevant credentials and experience necessary to teach 11
1216		-	from the syllabus approved by the institution of higher education granting 12
1217		-	the course credit. 13
1218		-	14
1219		-	6-16-1204. Implementation. 15
1220		-	(a)(1) In order to prepare students for the rigor inherent in Advanced 16
1221		-	Placement courses, school districts shall offer pre -Advanced Placement 17
1222		-	courses to prepare students for the demands of Advanced Placement coursework. 18
1223		-	(2) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall 19
1224		-	approve all classes designated as pre -Advanced Placement courses. 20
1225		-	(b) An endorsed A concurrent credit enrollment course must meet the 21
1226		-	following requirements: 22
1227		-	(1) The course must be a course offered by an institution of 23
1228		-	higher education in this state that is: 24
1229		-	(A) Approved through the institution of higher education's 25
1230		-	normal process; and 26
1231		-	(B) Listed in the institution of higher education's 27
1232		-	catalog; 28
1233		-	(2) The course content and instruction must meet the same 29
1234		-	standards and adopt the same learning outcomes as those developed for a 30
1235		-	course taught on the campus of the institution of higher education, including 31
1236		-	without limitation: 32
1237		-	(A) The administration of any departmental exams 33
1238		-	applicable to the course; and 34
1239		-	(B) The use of substantially the same book and syllabus as 35
1240		-	is used at the college level; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1241		-
1242		-	32 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1243		-
1244		-
1245		-	(3) The course must be taught by an instructor with the 1
1246		-	qualifications required under § 6-16-1203(b) § 6-16-1203; 2
1247		-	(4) The institution of higher education offering the course 3
1248		-	must: 4
1249		-	(A) Provide to the course instructor staff development, 5
1250		-	supervision, and evaluation; and 6
1251		-	(B)(i) Provide the students enrolled in the course with: 7
1252		-	(a) Academic guidance counseling; and 8
1253		-	(b) The opportunity to utilize the on -campus 9
1254		-	library or other academic resources of the institution of higher education. 10
1255		-	(ii) Nothing in this This subdivision (b)(4) (a)(4) 11
1256		-	shall not preclude institutions of higher education from collaborating to 12
1257		-	meet the requirements of this subdivision (b)(4)(a)(4); 13
1258		-	(5) To be eligible to enroll in an endorsed a concurrent 14
1259		-	enrollment credit course, the student must: 15
1260		-	(A) Be admitted by the institution of higher education as 16
1261		-	a nondegree or noncertificate -seeking student; and 17
1262		-	(B) Meet all of the prerequisites for the course in which 18
1263		-	he or she is enrolled; and 19
1264		-	(6)(A) Credit for the endorsed concurrent enrollment credit 20
1265		-	course may only be awarded by the institution of higher education offering 21
1266		-	the course. 22
1267		-	(B) Nothing in this This subdivision (b)(6) (a)(6) shall 23
1268		-	not preclude institutions of higher education from collaborating to provide 24
1269		-	the course and award course credit. 25
1270		-	(c)(b) Beginning with the 2008-2009 2025-2026 school year, all public 26
1271		-	school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools shall offer one 27
1272		-	(1) College Board Advanced Placement course in each of the four (4) core 28
1273		-	areas of math, English, science, and social studies for a total of four (4) 29
1274		-	courses at least four (4) accelerated learning courses that cover the 30
1275		-	following subject areas: 31
1276		-	(1) Math; 32
1277		-	(2) English; 33
1278		-	(3) Science; and 34
1279		-	(4) Social studies. 35
1280		-	(d)(1) The requirement under subsection (c) of this section shall be 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1281		-
1282		-	33 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1283		-
1284		-
1285		-	phased in over a period of four (4) years beginning with the 2005 -2006 school 1
1286		-	year. 2
1287		-	(2) Beginning with the 2008 -2009 school year, all high schools 3
1288		-	in Arkansas shall offer a minimum of four (4) Advanced Placement courses by 4
1289		-	adding at least one (1) core course each year to the list of courses 5
1290		-	available to high school students. 6
1291		-	(e)(1)(A) A state-supported two-year or four-year institution of 7
1292		-	higher education may offer a reduced tuition rate for endorsed concurrent 8
1293		-	enrollment courses offered by the institution of higher education to high 9
1294		-	school students under this subchapter. 10
1295		-	(B) The reduction in tuition under subdivision (e)(1)(A) 11
1296		-	of this section or any tuition paid by the institution of higher education 12
1297		-	under subdivision (e)(3)(B) of this section shall not be considered an 13
1298		-	institutional scholarship. 14
1299		-	(2) The number of students enrolled and the semester credit 15
1300		-	hours for endorsed concurrent enrollment courses shall be included in the 16
1301		-	calculation of full-time-equivalent enrollment for the institution of higher 17
1302		-	education. 18
1303		-	(3)(A) A national school lunch student, as defined in § 6 -20-19
1304		-	2303, shall not be required to pay any of the costs up to a maximum of six 20
1305		-	(6) credit hours of endorsed concurrent enrollment courses that are taught: 21
1306		-	(i) On the grounds of the public school district in 22
1307		-	which the student is enrolled; and 23
1308		-	(ii) By a teacher employed by the public school 24
1309		-	district in which the student is enrolled. 25
1310		-	(B) The costs for endorsed concurrent enrollment courses 26
1311		-	under subdivision (e)(3)(A) of this section shall be paid: 27
1312		-	(i) By the public school district in which the 28
1313		-	student is enrolled; 29
1314		-	(ii) By the institution of higher education offering 30
1315		-	the course; or 31
1316		-	(iii) Through a cost-sharing agreement between the 32
1317		-	public school district and the institution of higher education. 33
1318		-	(c)(1) Beginning with the 2025 -2026 school year and each year 34
1319		-	thereafter, the tuition rate for a concurrent credit course offered by a 35
1320		-	public school district or open -enrollment public charter school in 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1321		-
1322		-	34 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1323		-
1324		-
1325		-	partnership with an institution of higher education shall: 1
1326		-	(A) For every one (1) academic credit hour provided by an 2
1327		-	institution of higher education, be an agreed amount that is not: 3
1328		-	(i) More than two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the 4
1329		-	per-pupil amount established under § 6 -20-2305 that is allotted per student 5
1330		-	each year; and 6
1331		-	(ii) Less than one-half percent (0.5%) of the per -7
1332		-	pupil amount established under § 6 -20-2305 that is allotted per student each 8
1333		-	year; and 9
1334		-	(B) Not exceed the standard tuition rate and fee structure 10
1335		-	of the institution of higher education providing the concurrent credit 11
1336		-	course. 12
1337		-	(2)(A) The amount established under subdivision (c)(1)(A) of 13
1338		-	this section may be satisfied through the following sources: 14
1339		-	(i) ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship Program 15
1340		-	funds; 16
1341		-	(ii) Funding from the school district where a 17
1342		-	student is enrolled; 18
1343		-	(iii) Other consideration agreed to by the public 19
1344		-	school district or open -enrollment public charter school and institution of 20
1345		-	higher education; and 21
1346		-	(iv) Any other available sources as determined by 22
1347		-	the Division of Higher Education. 23
1348		-	(B) An institution of higher education shall not receive 24
1349		-	funding for concurrent credit courses for tuition at secondary vocational 25
1350		-	centers under § 6-51-301 et seq. if the institution of higher education is 26
1351		-	already receiving funding designated for vocational center aid. 27
1352		-	(3) A student or a student’s parent or guardian shall not be 28
1353		-	responsible for tuition, fees, or materials for participation in a concurrent 29
1354		-	credit course. 30
1355		-	31
1356		-	SECTION 21. Arkansas Code § 6 -17-309 is amended to read as follows: 32
1357		-	6-17-309. Licensure — Waiver. 33
1358		-	(a)(1) A class of students shall not be under the instruction of a 34
1359		-	teacher who is not licensed to teach the grade level or subject matter of the 35
1360		-	class for more than sixty (60) consecutive school days in the same class 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1361		-
1362		-	35 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1363		-
1364		-
1365		-	during a school year. 1
1366		-	(2)(b) This subsection Subsection (a) of this section shall not 2
1367		-	apply to: 3
1368		-	(A)(1) Nondegreed vocational -technical teachers; 4
1369		-	(B)(2) Individuals approved by the Division of Elementary 5
1370		-	and Secondary Education to teach the grade level or subject matter of the 6
1371		-	class in the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education's distance 7
1372		-	learning program; 8
1373		-	(C)(3) Individuals teaching concurrent credit courses or 9
1374		-	advanced placement accelerated learning courses who: 10
1375		-	(i)(A) Are employed by a postsecondary institution; 11
1376		-	(ii)(B) Meet the qualification requirements of a 12
1377		-	postsecondary institution or the Division of Career and Technical Education; 13
1378		-	and 14
1379		-	(iii)(C) Are teaching in a course in which credit is 15
1380		-	offered by an institution of higher education or a technical institute; 16
1381		-	(D)(4) Licensed teachers teaching in one (1) of the 17
1382		-	following settings: 18
1383		-	(i)(A) An alternative learning environment; 19
1384		-	(ii)(B) A juvenile detention facility; 20
1385		-	(iii)(C) A residential and day alcohol, drug, and 21
1386		-	psychiatric facility program; 22
1387		-	(iv)(D) An emergency youth shelter; 23
1388		-	(v)(E) A facility of the Division of Youth Services; 24
1389		-	or 25
1390		-	(vi)(F) A facility of the Division of Developmental 26
1391		-	Disabilities Services; 27
1392		-	(E)(5) Licensed special education teachers who are 28
1393		-	teaching two (2) or more core academic subjects exclusively to children with 29
1394		-	disabilities; or 30
1395		-	(F)(6) Teachers who are working under an Aspiring Teacher 31
1396		-	permit for a period of time not to exceed one (1) academic year or two (2) 32
1397		-	consecutive semesters. 33
1398		-	(b)(1) If this requirement imposes an undue hardship on a school 34
1399		-	district, the school district may apply to the State Board of Education for a 35
1400		-	waiver. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1401		-
1402		-	36 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1403		-
1404		-
1405		-	(2) The state board shall develop rules for granting a waiver. 1
1406		-	(3) Any school district that obtains a waiver shall send written 2
1407		-	notice of the assignment to the parent or guardian of each student in the 3
1408		-	classroom no later than the sixtieth school day after the date of the 4
1409		-	assignment. 5
1410		-	(4) [Repealed.] 6
1411		-	7
1412		-	SECTION 22. Arkansas Code § 6 -17-709(d), concerning the professional 8
1413		-	development schedule for licensed educators, is amended to read as follows: 9
1414		-	(d) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall establish 10
1415		-	the curriculum under this section in collaboration with educational agencies 11
1416		-	and associations, including without limitation the: relevant stakeholders. 12
1417		-	(1) Division of Higher Education; 13
1418		-	(2) Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators; 14
1419		-	(3) Arkansas Education Association; 15
1420		-	(4) Arkansas School Boards Association; 16
1421		-	(5) Arkansas Association for Supervision and Curriculum 17
1422		-	Development; 18
1423		-	(6) Arkansas State Teachers Association; and 19
1424		-	(7) Arkansas Rural Ed Association. 20
1425		-	21
1426		-	SECTION 23. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 18, Subchapter 2, is 22
1427		-	amended to add an additional section to read as follows: 23
1428		-	6-18-237. Absences for certain purposes unexcused. 24
1429		-	(a) A public school district or an open -enrollment public charter 25
1430		-	school shall not grant excused absences for purposes of political protest. 26
1431		-	(b) A public school district or an open -enrollment public charter 27
1432		-	school may grant an excused absence for the following purposes with written 28
1433		-	consent of a parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to 29
1434		-	the student: 30
1435		-	(1) Social or public policy advocacy; or 31
1436		-	(2) Attempts to influence legislation or other governmental 32
1437		-	policy-making at the local, state, or federal level. 33
1438		-	(c) This section does not prohibit students from attending curricular 34
1439		-	or cocurricular activities approved by the public school district or open -35
1440		-	enrollment public charter school for credit. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1441		-
1442		-	37 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1443		-
1444		-
1445		-	(d) A public school district or an open -enrollment public charter 1
1446		-	school that grants excused or unexcused absences under subsections (a) or (b) 2
1447		-	of this section shall provide a report by June 30 each year to the Division 3
1448		-	of Elementary and Secondary Education that contains the following: 4
1449		-	(1) The number of absences requested under this section; 5
1450		-	(2) The number of absences granted under this section; and 6
1451		-	(3) The stated purposes of the absence. 7
	2517	+	Subchapter 17 — Arkansas Direct Admissions Program 7
1452	2518		8
1453		-	SECTION 24. Arkansas Code § 6 -18-1104(b), concerning parental 9
1454		-	notification and permission related to school fundraising programs, is 10
1455		-	amended to read as follows: 11
1456		-	(b) A one-page form for parental notification and permission shall be 12
1457		-	developed by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education in 13
1458		-	cooperation with school administrators and the Arkansas Parent Teacher 14
1459		-	Association. 15
1460		-	16
1461		-	SECTION 25. Arkansas Code § 6 -18-2004(b)(2)(G)(vi), concerning the 17
1462		-	direct and indirect services offered as comprehensive student services by a 18
1463		-	school counselor as part of a contributing member of a decision -making team 19
1464		-	in advanced placement and gifted and talented programs, is amended to read as 20
1465		-	follows: 21
1466		-	(vi) Advanced placement Accelerated learning and 22
1467		-	gifted and talented programs. 23
1468		-	24
1469		-	SECTION 26. Arkansas Code § 6 -18-2004(c), concerning administrative 25
1470		-	activities performed by a school counselor, is amended to read as follows: 26
1471		-	(c)(1) Administrative activities performed by a school counselor shall 27
1472		-	not exceed more than ten percent (10%) of the school counselor's time spent 28
1473		-	working during student contact days. 29
1474		-	(2) Administrative activities provided by a school counselor in 30
1475		-	collaboration with other school personnel include without limitation: 31
1476		-	(A) Coordinating state assessments, cognitive achievement 32
1477		-	assessments, advanced placement accelerated learning programs, and English 33
1478		-	language proficiency testing programs; 34
1479		-	(B) Developing master schedules; 35
1480		-	(C) Coordinating of: 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1481		-
1482		-	38 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1483		-
1484		-
1485		-	(i) Teams convened under Section 504 of the 1
1486		-	Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Pub. L. No. 93 -112; 2
1487		-	(ii) Response-to-intervention teams; 3
1488		-	(iii) English learner programs; 4
1489		-	(iv) Parental involvement or family engagement 5
1490		-	programs; 6
1491		-	(v) Positive behavioral intervention support 7
1492		-	programs; 8
1493		-	(vi) Data entry; and 9
1494		-	(vii) Advanced placement Accelerated learning and 10
1495		-	gifted and talented programs; and 11
1496		-	(D) Monitoring students in common areas such as the 12
1497		-	cafeteria, hallway, playground, and bus lines. 13
1498		-	14
1499		-	SECTION 27. Arkansas Code § 6 -20-2203(a)(4), concerning the 15
1500		-	development by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education of the 16
1501		-	Arkansas Financial Accounting Handbook, is amended to read as follows: 17
1502		-	(4) The rules shall be developed by the state board in 18
1503		-	cooperation with the division , and representatives from the Arkansas 19
1504		-	Association of Educational Administrators, the Arkansas Association of School 20
1505		-	Business Officials, the Arkansas Education Association, the education service 21
1506		-	cooperatives, and the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee. 22
1507		-	23
1508		-	SECTION 28. Arkansas Code § 6 -20-2204(a)(3)(A), concerning required 24
1509		-	training for public school districts, open -enrollment public charter schools, 25
1510		-	and education service cooperatives under the Arkansas Educational Financial 26
1511		-	Accounting and Reporting Act of 2004, is amended to read as follows: 27
1512		-	(3)(A) The instruction may be provided by an institution of 28
1513		-	higher education in this state, from instruction sponsored by the division , 29
1514		-	by an in-service training program conducted by the Arkansas Association of 30
1515		-	School Business Officials , or from another provider. 31
1516		-	32
1517		-	SECTION 29. Arkansas Code § 6 -20-2204(b)(2), concerning required Tier 33
1518		-	II training for public school districts, open -enrollment public charter 34
1519		-	schools, and education service cooperatives under the Arkansas Educational 35
1520		-	Financial Accounting and Reporting Act of 2004, is amended to read as 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1521		-
1522		-	39 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1523		-
1524		-
1525		-	follows: 1
1526		-	(2) Tier II training shall be developed by the division in 2
1527		-	cooperation with representatives from the Arkansas Association of Educational 3
1528		-	Administrators, the Arkansas Association of School Business Officials, the 4
1529		-	Arkansas Education Association, the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee , and 5
1530		-	the education service cooperatives . 6
1531		-	7
1532		-	SECTION 30. Arkansas Code § 6 -20-2207(b)(1), concerning the rules 8
1533		-	governing the uniform budget and accounting system for school districts, 9
1534		-	education service cooperatives, and open-enrollment public charter schools, 10
1535		-	is amended to read as follows: 11
1536		-	(b)(1)(A) The state board shall amend the rules, and the Division of 12
1537		-	Elementary and Secondary Education shall amend the Arkansas Financial 13
1538		-	Accounting Handbook provided in subsection (a) of this section as necessary. 14
1539		-	(B) The amendments, annual revisions, and financial 15
1540		-	accounting updates to the Arkansas Financial Accounting Handbook shall be 16
1541		-	developed with representatives from the Arkansas Association of School 17
1542		-	Business Officials, the education service cooperatives, and other school 18
1543		-	district officials as designated by the division. 19
1544		-	20
1545		-	SECTION 31. Arkansas Code § 6 -21-113(a), concerning the membership of 21
1546		-	the Advisory Committee on Public School Academic Facilities, is amended to 22
1547		-	read as follows: 23
1548		-	(a) To assist the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and 24
1549		-	Transportation, there is established the Advisory Committee on Public School 25
1550		-	Academic Facilities to be composed of the following members who must be 26
1551		-	willing to devote adequate time to the work of the committee and who reflect 27
1552		-	the demographics of the state: 28
1553		-	(1) The Director of the Division of Public School Academic 29
1554		-	Facilities and Transportation or the director's designee, who shall also 30
1555		-	serve as secretary to the committee; 31
1556		-	(2) One (1) person who is a licensed building contractor 32
1557		-	experienced in public school construction selected from a list of no fewer 33
1558		-	than three (3) names submitted by the Arkansas Chapter of the Associated 34
1559		-	General Contractors of America ; 35
1560		-	(3) One (1) person who is a licensed architect experienced in 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1561		-
1562		-	40 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1563		-
1564		-
1565		-	public school design submitted by the Arkansas Chapter, the American 1
1566		-	Institute of Architects ; 2
1567		-	(4) One (1) person who is a licensed or registered mechanical 3
1568		-	engineer experienced in public school mechanical and plumbing systems design 4
1569		-	selected from a list of no fewer than three (3) names submitted by the 5
1570		-	Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers ; 6
1571		-	(5) One (1) person who is a licensed or registered electrical 7
1572		-	engineer experienced in public school electrical systems design selected from 8
1573		-	a list of no fewer than three (3) names submitted by the Arkansas Society of 9
1574		-	Professional Engineers ; 10
1575		-	(6) One (1) person who is a licensed or registered civil 11
1576		-	engineer experienced in public school civil engineering design and 12
1577		-	construction selected from a list of no fewer than three (3) names submitted 13
1578		-	by the Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers ; 14
1579		-	(7) Two (2) persons selected by the Commission for Arkansas 15
1580		-	Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation, one (1) of whom is 16
1581		-	knowledgeable and holds certification in the field of educational technology 17
1582		-	applications and strategies; 18
1583		-	(8) Two (2) persons selected from a list of six (6) names 19
1584		-	submitted by the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators from its 20
1585		-	membership; 21
1586		-	(9) One (1) person selected from a list of three (3) names 22
1587		-	submitted by the Arkansas Education Association from its membership; 23
1588		-	(10) Two (2) persons selected from a list of six (6) names 24
1589		-	submitted by the Arkansas School Boards Association from its membership; 25
1590		-	(11) Two (2) persons selected from a list of six (6) names 26
1591		-	submitted by the Arkansas Rural Ed Association from its membership; 27
1592		-	(12) One (1) person selected from a list of three (3) names 28
1593		-	submitted by the Arkansas Public School Resource Center, Inc., from its 29
1594		-	membership; and 30
1595		-	(13) Three (3) persons, one (1) from each of the professions of 31
1596		-	construction, architecture, and education, selected by the commission to 32
1597		-	serve as ex-officio members of the committee based on prior service on the 33
1598		-	committee; 34
1599		-	(9) One (1) licensed teacher appointed by the Commissioner of 35
1600		-	Elementary and Secondary Education; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1601		-
1602		-	41 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1603		-
1604		-
1605		-	(10) One (1) principal appointed by the commissioner; and 1
1606		-	(11) One (1) superintendent appointed by the commissioner . 2
1607		-	3
1608		-	SECTION 32. Arkansas Code § 6 -21-817(b), concerning the membership of 4
1609		-	the Public School Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Committee, is 5
1610		-	amended to read as follows: 6
1611		-	(b) The committee shall be composed of six (6) members as follows the 7
1612		-	following members: 8
1613		-	(1) One (1) member from the Building Authority Division; 9
1614		-	(2) One (1) member from the Division of Public School Academic 10
1615		-	Facilities and Transportation; 11
1616		-	(3) One (1) member from the State Fire Marshal Office of the 12
1617		-	Division of Arkansas State Police Office of Fire Protection Services ; 13
1618		-	(4) One (1) member from the Division of Elementary and Secondary 14
1619		-	Education; 15
1620		-	(5) One (1) member from the Arkansas Association of Educational 16
1621		-	Administrators; and 17
1622		-	(6) One (1) member from the Arkansas Public School Resource 18
1623		-	Center, Inc. 19
1624		-	(5) Other relevant stakeholders deemed necessary by the members 20
1625		-	designated under subdivisions (b)(1) -(4) of this section. 21
1626		-	22
1627		-	SECTION 33. Arkansas Code § 6 -28-112(b), concerning academic course 23
1628		-	placement under the Arkansas Military Child School Transitions Act of 2021, 24
1629		-	is amended to read as follows: 25
1630		-	(b) Academic course placement includes without limitation enrollment 26
1631		-	in: 27
1632		-	(1) Honors courses Accelerated learning courses ; and 28
1633		-	(2) The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme; 29
1634		-	(3) Advanced Placement courses; and 30
1635		-	(4) Academic, technical, and career pathway courses. 31
1636		-	32
1637		-	SECTION 34. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 28, Subchapter 2, is 33
1638		-	amended to add an additional section to read as follows: 34
1639		-	§ 6-28-207. Purple Star Schools. 35
1640		-	(a) A public school district or an open -enrollment public charter 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1641		-
1642		-	42 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1643		-
1644		-
1645		-	school that shows a significant commitment to serving students and families 1
1646		-	connected to the United States Armed Forces may be designated as a Purple 2
1647		-	Star School or Purple Star School District. 3
1648		-	(b) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education may promulgate 4
1649		-	rules to implement this section. 5
1650		-	6
1651		-	SECTION 35. Arkansas Code § 6 -41-610(b)(2), concerning the membership 7
1652		-	of the committee that develops and updates the Arkansas Dyslexia Resource 8
1653		-	Guide, is amended to read as follows: 9
1654		-	(2)(A) The committee shall include one (1) representative who 10
1655		-	has the following members who shall have experience working in the field of 11
1656		-	dyslexia intervention from the following organizations, and are appointed by 12
1657		-	the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education: 13
1658		-	(i)(A) The Arkansas Association of Educational 14
1659		-	Administrators One (1) public school administrator ; 15
1660		-	(ii)(B) The Division A representative from the Office of 16
1661		-	Learning Services of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education; 17
1662		-	(iii)(C) The A representative from the Division of Higher 18
1663		-	Education; 19
1664		-	(iv)(D) The Arkansas Education Association One (1) public 20
1665		-	school licensed educator ; 21
1666		-	(v)(E) The Arkansas School Boards Association One (1) 22
1667		-	public school district board of directors member ; 23
1668		-	(vi)(F) The Arkansas School Psychology Association, A 24
1669		-	school psychologist with at least three (3) years of experience in testing 25
1670		-	for dyslexia; and 26
1671		-	(vii)(G) An education service cooperative administrator .; 27
1672		-	and 28
1673		-	(B)(H) Three (3) professionals who have worked in a public 29
1674		-	school who are knowledgeable in and have expertise in dyslexia screening and 30
1675		-	interventions. 31
1676		-	32
1677		-	SECTION 36. Arkansas Code §§ 6 -51-602 and 6-51-603 are amended to read 33
1678		-	as follows: 34
1679		-	6-51-602. Definitions. 35
1680		-	As used in this subchapter , unless the context otherwise requires : 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1681		-
1682		-	43 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1683		-
1684		-
1685		-	(1) “Admissions representative” means a person who executes an 1
1686		-	enrollment agreement and who receives compensation for the primary duties of 2
1687		-	encouraging prospective students to enroll for training in a program of study 3
1688		-	offered by a school covered under the provisions of this subchapter; 4
1689		-	(2) “Board” means the State Board of Private Career Education 5
1690		-	Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board ; 6
1691		-	(3) “Combination school” means any school in which programs of 7
1692		-	study are conducted by both distance education and resident training; 8
1693		-	(4) “Director” means the authorized representative of the State 9
1694		-	Board of Private Career Education for the purpose of administering the 10
1695		-	provisions of this subchapter; 11
1696		-	(5) “Distance education school” means any school in which all 12
1697		-	programs of study are conducted by distance education; 13
1698		-	(6) “Extension course site” means a location away from the 14
1699		-	school where a course or courses are conducted one (1) or more times during 15
1700		-	the licensure period; 16
1701		-	(4) "Institution of higher education" means a: 17
1702		-	(A) State-supported two-year or four-year college or 18
1703		-	university; or 19
1704		-	(B) Private, nonprofit two -year or four-year college or 20
1705		-	university with its primary headquarters located in Arkansas that is eligible 21
1706		-	to receive Title IV federal student aid funds; 22
1707		-	(7)(5) “Program of study” means an organized unit of courses or 23
1708		-	an individual course in which instruction is offered; 24
1709		-	(8) “Resident school” means any school in which all programs of 25
1710		-	study are conducted in resident classrooms or held in public meeting 26
1711		-	facilities; 27
1712		-	(9)(6) “Satellite school” means a location within the State of 28
1713		-	school located in Arkansas but away from the school where programs of study 29
1714		-	are offered on a regular continuing basis by Arkansas schools; 30
1715		-	(10)(A)(7)(A) “School” means any person, firm, partnership, 31
1716		-	association, corporation, or other form of business organization seeking to 32
1717		-	do business or offering in the State of Arkansas an entity that offers: 33
1718		-	(i) resident Resident or correspondence training 34
1719		-	that leads to or enhances occupational qualifications .; 35
1720		-	(B) “School” also means any firm, partnership, 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1721		-
1722		-	44 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1723		-
1724		-
1725		-	association, corporation, or other form of business organization that offers 1
1726		-	instruction 2
1727		-	(ii) Instruction in airframe or power plant 3
1728		-	mechanics.; 4
1729		-	(C)(iii) “School” also means any firm, partnership, 5
1730		-	association, corporation, or other form of business organization that offers 6
1731		-	training Training as preparation for passing exams that may lead to 7
1732		-	employment.; or 8
1733		-	(D)(iv) “School” also means any firm, partnership, 9
1734		-	association, corporation, or other form of business organization that offers 10
1735		-	driver Driver education training, excluding those courses taught to motor 11
1736		-	vehicle violators pursuant to court order. 12
1737		-	(E)(B) “School” does not include : 13
1738		-	(i) A program of instruction in yoga or in yoga -14
1739		-	teacher training; or 15
1740		-	(ii) An an institution that is subject to the 16
1741		-	jurisdiction of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board under § 6 -17
1742		-	61-301 of higher education; and 18
1743		-	(11)(8) “Student” or “enrollee” means a person who is seeking to 19
1744		-	enroll, has been enrolled, is sought for enrollment, or is seeking training 20
1745		-	or instruction in a school as defined in this section. 21
1746		-	22
1747		-	6-51-603. Exemptions. 23
1748		-	The following are exempt from licensure under this subchapter: 24
1749		-	(1) Private institutions exclusively offering instruction at any 25
1750		-	or all levels from preschool prekindergarten through twelfth grade twelve 26
1751		-	(preK-12); 27
1752		-	(2) Schools established by laws of Arkansas laws, governed by 28
1753		-	Arkansas boards, and permitted to operate for the sole purpose of providing 29
1754		-	specific training normally required to qualify persons for occupational 30
1755		-	licensure by state boards or commissions, which determine education and other 31
1756		-	standards for licensure and operation of such schools; 32
1757		-	(3) State colleges and universities coordinated by the Arkansas 33
1758		-	Higher Education Coordinating Board Institutions of higher education ; 34
1759		-	(4) Programs of study offered by institutions or individuals for 35
1760		-	personal improvement, whether avocational or recreational, if designated 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1761		-
1762		-	45 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1763		-
1764		-
1765		-	through media or other sources as not for the purpose of enhancing an 1
1766		-	occupational objective; 2
1767		-	(5) Schools operated solely to provide programs of study in 3
1768		-	theology, divinity, religious education, and ministerial training; 4
1769		-	(6) A training program offered or sponsored by an employer for 5
1770		-	training and preparation of its own employees and for which no tuition fee is 6
1771		-	charged the employee; 7
1772		-	(7) A program of study sponsored by a recognized trade, 8
1773		-	business, or professional organization for instruction of the members of the 9
1774		-	organization with a closed membership and for which no fee is charged the 10
1775		-	member; 11
1776		-	(8) A school or educational institution supported by state or 12
1777		-	local government taxation; 13
1778		-	(9) Flight instructors and flight instruction schools licensed 14
1779		-	under appropriate Federal Aviation Administration regulations and offering 15
1780		-	only training for a private pilot's license; 16
1781		-	(10) Schools covered by § 6 -61-301(a)(3) and exempt from § 6 -61-17
1782		-	101 et seq.; 18
1783		-	(11) Training offered by other Arkansas state agencies, boards, 19
1784		-	or commissions; 20
1785		-	(12)(A) Training offered on military bases where a majority of 21
1786		-	the students enrolled are active duty personnel or their adult family 22
1787		-	members, United States Department of Defense civilian employees or their 23
1788		-	adult family members, members of the United States Armed Forces reserve 24
1789		-	components, and retirees. 25
1790		-	(B) These organizations shall remain exempt from the 26
1791		-	requirement for licensure if required to move off the military installation 27
1792		-	for a period of not more than ninety (90) days because of a change in 28
1793		-	security level which would not allow civilian students on the installation. 29
1794		-	(C) The State Board of Private Career Division of Higher 30
1795		-	Education shall have the authority to may review any situations that extend 31
1796		-	past the ninety-day period and determine whether the exemption status should 32
1797		-	remain for the school; 33
1798		-	(13) Certified nurse aide or certified nursing assistant 34
1799		-	training programs: 35
1800		-	(A) Whose underlying majority ownership has ownership of 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1801		-
1802		-	46 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1803		-
1804		-
1805		-	five (5) or more nursing facilities licensed by the Office of Long -Term Care; 1
1806		-	and 2
1807		-	(B) That are under the regulatory oversight of the office; 3
1808		-	and 4
1809		-	(14) Schools located outside the state that: 5
1810		-	(A) Offer education or training outside the state; and 6
1811		-	(B) Do not participate in distance education. 7
1812		-	8
1813		-	SECTION 37. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-605 is amended to read as follows: 9
1814		-	6-51-605. State Board of Private Career Education Authority of Division 10
1815		-	of Higher Education. 11
1816		-	(a)(1)(A) The Governor shall appoint a State Board of Private Career 12
1817		-	Education of seven (7) members who shall serve for terms of seven (7) years. 13
1818		-	(B) The Governor shall make appointments or reappointments 14
1819		-	to the board to provide membership of three (3) persons associated with 15
1820		-	schools and four (4) persons from the general public. 16
1821		-	(2) The Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education and the 17
1822		-	Director of the Division of Career and Technical Education or their designees 18
1823		-	shall serve as nonvoting, ex officio members of the board. 19
1824		-	(b)(1) The board may elect the necessary officers, acting by and 20
1825		-	through the Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education. 21
1826		-	(2) The Division of Higher Education shall have the sole 22
1827		-	authority to: 23
1828		-	(A)(1) Approve all schools offering programs of study 24
1829		-	leading to or enhancing an occupational objective; 25
1830		-	(B) Administer and enforce this subchapter; and 26
1831		-	(C)(2) Issue licenses to schools that have met the 27
1832		-	standards set forth for the purposes of this subchapter established by the 28
1833		-	Division of Higher Education, including without limitation programs: 29
1834		-	(A) Programs of study, adequate; 30
1835		-	(B) Adequate facilities, financial; 31
1836		-	(C) Financial stability, qualified; 32
1837		-	(D) Qualified personnel, and legitimate; and 33
1838		-	(E) Legitimate operating practices. 34
1839		-	(c)(b) Upon approval by the Division of Higher Education, any such 35
1840		-	school may issue certificates or diplomas. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1841		-
1842		-	47 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1843		-
1844		-
1845		-	(d)(c) The Division of Higher Education shall: 1
1846		-	(1) Formulate the Establish criteria and the standards evolved 2
1847		-	for the approval of such licensed schools; 3
1848		-	(2) Provide for adequate investigation of all schools applying 4
1849		-	for a license; 5
1850		-	(3) Issue licenses to those applicants meeting the standards 6
1851		-	fixed established by the Division of Higher Education; and 7
1852		-	(4) Maintain a list of schools approved under the provisions of 8
1853		-	this subchapter. 9
1854		-	(e) The Division of Higher Education shall formulate the standards 10
1855		-	evolved under this subchapter for the approval of admissions representatives 11
1856		-	of such licensed schools and issue licenses to those applicants meeting the 12
1857		-	standards fixed by the Division of Higher Education. 13
1858		-	(f)(d) In consultation with the board, the The Division of Higher 14
1859		-	Education shall may promulgate standards and rules to be prescribed for the 15
1860		-	administration of this subchapter and the management and operation of the 16
1861		-	schools and admissions representatives, subject to the provisions of 17
1862		-	implement this subchapter. 18
1863		-	(g)(e) The Division of Higher Education shall participate in the 19
1864		-	administer hearings before the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board 20
1865		-	for provided to schools and admissions representatives in cases of facing 21
1866		-	revocation or denial of licensure. 22
1867		-	(h) Official meetings of the board may be called by the Chair of the 23
1868		-	State Board of Private Career Education as necessary, but meetings shall be 24
1869		-	held at least four (4) times a year. 25
1870		-	(i) A majority of favorable votes by the board members at an official 26
1871		-	meeting is required for adoption of a recommendation. 27
1872		-	(j) Board members may be reimbursed for expenses in accordance with § 28
1873		-	25-16-901 and stipends according to § 25 -16-903. 29
1874		-	(k) The board may adopt and use a seal, which may be used for the 30
1875		-	authentication of the recommendations of the board. 31
1876		-	(l)(1)(f)(1) The Division of Higher Education shall annually require 32
1877		-	background investigations for all partners or shareholders with ten percent 33
1878		-	(10%) or more ownership interest in a school when the school seeks an 34
1879		-	original license. 35
1880		-	(2) The Division of Higher Education may establish a schedule 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1881		-
1882		-	48 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1883		-
1884		-
1885		-	for periodic background checks for partners or shareholders with ten percent 1
1886		-	(10%) or more ownership interest in a school when seeking renewal of a school 2
1887		-	license. 3
1888		-	(m)(1)(g)(1) The partners or shareholders shall apply to the 4
1889		-	Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police for a state 5
1890		-	and national criminal background check to be conducted by the Federal Bureau 6
1891		-	of Investigation. 7
1892		-	(2) The check shall conform to the applicable federal standards 8
1893		-	and shall include the taking of fingerprints. 9
1894		-	(3) The applicant shall sign a release of information to the 10
1895		-	board and shall be responsible to the Division of Arkansas State Police for 11
1896		-	the payment of any fee associated with the criminal background check. 12
1897		-	(4) Upon completion of the criminal background check, the 13
1898		-	Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police shall forward 14
1899		-	to the Division of Higher Education all information obtained concerning the 15
1900		-	person in the commission of any offense listed in § 6 -51-606(g)(3). 16
1901		-	(5)(A) The Division of Higher Education may issue a nonrenewable 17
1902		-	temporary license pending the results of the criminal background check. 18
1903		-	(B) The temporary license shall be valid for no more than 19
1904		-	six (6) months. 20
1905		-	(C) Upon receipt of information from the Identification 21
1906		-	Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police that only one (1) of the 22
1907		-	partners or shareholders of the school holding the license has been convicted 23
1908		-	of any offense listed in § 6 -51-606(g)(3), the Division of Higher Education 24
1909		-	shall revoke the license. 25
1910		-	(n)(1)(h)(1) The provisions of Licensure revocation under § 6-51-26
1911		-	606(g) may be waived by the Division of Higher Education upon the request of: 27
1912		-	(A) An affected applicant for licensure; or 28
1913		-	(B) The partners or shareholders of a school holding a 29
1914		-	license subject to revocation. 30
1915		-	(2) Circumstances for which a waiver may be granted shall 31
1916		-	include, but not be limited to, without limitation the following: 32
1917		-	(A) The age at which the crime was committed; 33
1918		-	(B) The circumstances surrounding the crime; 34
1919		-	(C) The length of time since the crime; 35
1920		-	(D) Subsequent work history; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1921		-
1922		-	49 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1923		-
1924		-
1925		-	(E) Employment references; 1
1926		-	(F) Character references; and 2
1927		-	(G) Other evidence demonstrating that the applicant does 3
1928		-	not pose a threat. 4
1929		-	(o)(1)(i)(1) Any information received by the Division of Higher 5
1930		-	Education from the Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State 6
1931		-	Police under this section shall not be available for examination except by: 7
1932		-	(A) The affected applicant for licensure or his or her 8
1933		-	authorized representative; or 9
1934		-	(B) The person whose license is subject to revocation or 10
1935		-	his or her authorized representative. 11
1936		-	(2) No record, file, or document shall be removed from the 12
1937		-	custody of the Division of Arkansas State Police. 13
1938		-	(p)(j) Any information made available to the affected applicant for 14
1939		-	licensure or the person whose license is subject to revocation shall be 15
1940		-	information pertaining to that person only. 16
1941		-	(q)(k) Rights of privilege and confidentiality established in this 17
1942		-	section shall not extend to any document created for purposes other than the 18
1943		-	background check required by this section. 19
1944		-	(r) In consultation with the board, the Division of Higher Education 20
1945		-	shall adopt the necessary rules to fully implement the provisions of this 21
1946		-	section. 22
1947		-	23
1948		-	SECTION 38. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-606 is amended to read as follows: 24
1949		-	6-51-606. School license generally. 25
1950		-	(a) No persons shall operate, conduct, maintain, or offer to operate 26
1951		-	in this state Arkansas a school as defined in this subchapter, or solicit the 27
1952		-	enrollment of students residing in the state Arkansas, unless a license is 28
1953		-	first secured from the Division of Higher Education issued in accordance with 29
1954		-	the provisions of this subchapter and the rules promulgated by the division 30
1955		-	in consultation with the State Board of Private Career Education . 31
1956		-	(b)(1) Application An application for a license shall be filed in the 32
1957		-	manner and upon the forms prescribed and furnished by the division for that 33
1958		-	purpose signed and include all required information as prescribed by the 34
1959		-	division. 35
1960		-	(2) The application shall be signed by the applicant and 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
1961		-
1962		-	50 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
1963		-
1964		-
1965		-	properly verified and shall contain such information as may apply to the type 1
1966		-	and kind of school, satellite school, or extension course site for which a 2
1967		-	license is sought. 3
1968		-	(c)(1) A license issued shall be restricted to the programs of study 4
1969		-	specifically indicated in the application for a license. 5
1970		-	(2) The holder of a license shall present a supplementary 6
1971		-	application for approval of additional programs of study. 7
1972		-	(d) The license shall remain the property of the State of Arkansas and 8
1973		-	shall be returned to the division upon cause. 9
1974		-	(e) After a license is issued to any school by the division on the 10
1975		-	basis of its application , it shall be the responsibility of the school to 11
1976		-	notify the division immediately the division of any changes in the ownership, 12
1977		-	administration, location, faculty, or programs of study on the forms and in 13
1978		-	the manner prescribed by the division . 14
1979		-	(f)(1) In the event of the sale of such school, the license granted to 15
1980		-	the original owner or operators shall not be transferable to the new 16
1981		-	ownership or operators , but. 17
1982		-	(2) An application for a new license must shall be made and 18
1983		-	approved before the new ownership's taking over operation of the school. 19
1984		-	(g) The division shall have the power to deny issuing a new or renewal 20
1985		-	license, to revoke an existing license, or to place a licensee on probation, 21
1986		-	if in its discretion it determines that: 22
1987		-	(1) The licensee has violated any of the provisions of this 23
1988		-	subchapter or any of the rules of the division; 24
1989		-	(2) The applicant or licensee has knowingly presented to the 25
1990		-	division incomplete or misleading information relating to licensure; 26
1991		-	(3) The applicant or licensee has pleaded guilty, entered a plea 27
1992		-	of nolo contendere, or has been found guilty in a criminal proceeding, 28
1993		-	regardless of whether or not the adjudication of guilt or sentence is 29
1994		-	withheld, deferred, or suspended by a court of this state Arkansas, another 30
1995		-	state, or the United States Government, of: 31
1996		-	(A) Any felony; or 32
1997		-	(B) Any act involving moral turpitude, gross immorality, 33
1998		-	or which is related to the qualifications, functions, and duties of a 34
1999		-	licensee; 35
2000		-	(4) The applicant or licensee has intentionally failed or 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2001		-
2002		-	51 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2003		-
2004		-
2005		-	refused to permit the division or its representatives to inspect the school 1
2006		-	or classes or has intentionally failed or refused to make available to the 2
2007		-	division, at any time when requested to do so , full information pertaining to 3
2008		-	any or all items of information contained in an application for license or 4
2009		-	pertaining to the operation of the school; 5
2010		-	(5) The applicant has failed or refused to submit to the 6
2011		-	division an application for license or renewal in the manner and on the forms 7
2012		-	prescribed; 8
2013		-	(6) A licensed admissions representative has failed or refused 9
2014		-	to display or produce his or her license when requested to do so by 10
2015		-	prospective students or designated officials of the division; 11
2016		-	(7) The applicant or licensee has failed to provide or maintain 12
2017		-	premises, equipment, materials, supplies, or conditions in accordance with 13
2018		-	minimum standards as established by rules; 14
2019		-	(8) The licensee has been found by the division or a court of 15
2020		-	law to have perpetrated fraud or deceit in advertising of the school or 16
2021		-	programs of study or in presenting to prospective students information 17
2022		-	relating to the school, programs of study, employment opportunities, or 18
2023		-	opportunities for enrollment in institutions of higher education; 19
2024		-	(9) The licensee has in its employ any admissions 20
2025		-	representatives who have not been licensed but are actively engaged in the 21
2026		-	practice of attempting to enroll students; 22
2027		-	(10) The licensee has failed to provide and maintain standards 23
2028		-	of instruction or qualified administrative, supervisory, or instructional 24
2029		-	staff as established by rules; 25
2030		-	(11) The applicant or licensee is unable to provide and maintain 26
2031		-	financial resources in sufficient amount to equip and maintain the school or 27
2032		-	classes; 28
2033		-	(12) The licensee has moved the school into new premises or 29
2034		-	facilities without first notifying the division; 30
2035		-	(13) The licensee has offered training or instruction in 31
2036		-	programs of study which have not been approved and authorized in accordance 32
2037		-	with rules; 33
2038		-	(14) A licensed admissions representative has solicited 34
2039		-	prospective students to enroll in a school which has not been licensed by the 35
2040		-	division or which is not listed on his or her license; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2041		-
2042		-	52 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2043		-
2044		-
2045		-	(15) There was a change in the ownership of the school without 1
2046		-	proper notification to and approval from the division; 2
2047		-	(16) The licensee has failed to notify the division or to 3
2048		-	provide written documentation as to the cause that the license of a school 4
2049		-	has been suspended or revoked or the school has been placed on probation or a 5
2050		-	show cause issued in another state or by another regulatory agency; 6
2051		-	(17) The licensee has failed to notify the division of legal 7
2052		-	actions initiated by or against the school; or 8
2053		-	(18) The licensee fails to make tuition refunds to the students 9
2054		-	or their lenders in compliance with current rules. 10
2055		-	(h) The division shall have the power to revoke a license if in its 11
2056		-	discretion it determines that: 12
2057		-	(1) The licensee has failed to cure a deficiency leading to a 13
2058		-	license probation within the time as may be reasonably prescribed by the 14
2059		-	division; 15
2060		-	(2) The licensee while on probation has been found by the 16
2061		-	division to have incurred an additional infraction of this subchapter; or 17
2062		-	(3) The licensee has closed a school without first having 18
2063		-	completed the training of all students currently enrolled or having made 19
2064		-	tuition refunds to students or their lenders. 20
2065		-	(i) The division may impose sanctions under § 25 -15-217. 21
2066		-	(j)(1) Unless directed to do so by court order, the division shall 22
2067		-	not, for a period of five (5) years following revocation, reinstate the 23
2068		-	license of a school or allow an owner of any such school to seek licensure of 24
2069		-	another school. 25
2070		-	(2) Upon expiration of licensure status, the school must apply 26
2071		-	for an original license in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter. 27
2072		-	(k)(1) Upon closure of a school located in Arkansas and licensed under 28
2073		-	any provision of this subchapter, whether for license revocation or any other 29
2074		-	cause, all student financial aid records for the previous three (3) years and 30
2075		-	all student transcripts regardless of age must be delivered to the division. 31
2076		-	(2) Delivered records shall be arranged in alphabetical order 32
2077		-	and stored in boxes or in data format at the discretion of the division. 33
2078		-	(3) The division shall be responsible for the proper security, 34
2079		-	storage, and maintenance of all such records. 35
2080		-	36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2081		-
2082		-	53 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2083		-
2084		-
2085		-	SECTION 39. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-607(a)(1), concerning the payment of 1
2086		-	annual fees by a private resident and correspondence school, is amended to 2
2087		-	read as follows: 3
2088		-	(a)(1) Each school licensed under this subchapter shall pay annually a 4
2089		-	fee to be set by the Division of Higher Education in consultation with the 5
2090		-	State Board of Private Career Education Arkansas Higher Education 6
2091		-	Coordinating Board. 7
2092		-	8
2093		-	SECTION 40. Arkansas Code § 6-51-609(k), concerning the promulgation 9
2094		-	of rules related to private resident and correspondence schools, is repealed. 10
2095		-	(k) In consultation with the State Board of Private Career Education, 11
2096		-	the Division of Higher Education shall adopt the necessary rules to fully 12
2097		-	implement the provisions of this section. 13
2098		-	14
2099		-	SECTION 41. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-610(a), concerning fees related to 15
2100		-	private resident and correspondence schools, is amended to read as follows: 16
2101		-	(a) In consultation with the State Board of Private Career Education 17
2102		-	Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board , the Division of Higher 18
2103		-	Education shall set fees for schools and admissions representatives. 19
2104		-	20
2105		-	SECTION 42. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-616 is amended to read as follows: 21
2106		-	6-51-616. Student grievance procedure. 22
2107		-	(a) Any student may file a written complaint with the Division of 23
2108		-	Higher Education on the forms prescribed and furnished by the division for 24
2109		-	that purpose if the student has reason to believe he or she is suffering loss 25
2110		-	or damage resulting from: 26
2111		-	(1) The failure of a school to perform agreements made with the 27
2112		-	student; or 28
2113		-	(2) An admissions representative's misrepresentations in 29
2114		-	enrolling the student. 30
2115		-	(b)(1) All complaints shall be investigated, and attempts shall be 31
2116		-	made to resolve them informally. 32
2117		-	(2) If an informal resolution cannot be achieved, the aggrieved 33
2118		-	party may request a formal hearing to be held before the State Board of 34
2119		-	Private Career Education Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board . 35
2120		-	(c) The aggrieved party may not pursue resolution before the board if 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2121		-
2122		-	54 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2123		-
2124		-
2125		-	legal action has been filed. 1
2126		-	(d) The request for a hearing shall be in writing and filed with the 2
2127		-	director division within one (1) year of completion of, or withdrawal from, 3
2128		-	the school. 4
2129		-	(e) The written request for a hearing shall name the parties involved 5
2130		-	and specific facts giving rise to the dispute. 6
2131		-	(f) The ruling of the board shall be binding upon the parties. 7
2132		-	8
2133		-	SECTION 43. The introductory language of Arkansas Code § 6 -51-617(a), 9
2134		-	concerning dispute resolution by the State Board of Private Career Education, 10
2135		-	is amended to read as follows: 11
2136		-	(a) The State Board of Private Career Education Arkansas Higher 12
2137		-	Education Coordinating Board shall represent the sole authority to resolve 13
2138		-	disputes between a student and a school as to grievances relating to: 14
2139		-	15
2140		-	SECTION 44. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-621 is repealed. 16
2141		-	6-51-621. Construction of subchapter. 17
2142		-	Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to affect the 18
2143		-	responsibilities of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board as 19
2144		-	defined in § 6-61-301. 20
2145		-	21
2146		-	SECTION 45. Arkansas Code § 6 -51-622(d), concerning rules related to 22
2147		-	noncommercial driver training instructions, is repealed. 23
2148		-	(d)(1) In consultation with the State Board of Private Career 24
2149		-	Education, the Division of Higher Education may promulgate reasonable rules 25
2150		-	to implement, enforce, and administer this section. 26
2151		-	(2) The rules of the division shall be issued in accordance with 27
2152		-	the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25 -15-201 et seq. 28
2153		-	29
2154		-	SECTION 46. Arkansas Code § 6 -53-203(a), concerning powers and duties 30
2155		-	of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board related to the technical 31
2156		-	and community college system, is amended to add an additional subdivision to 32
2157		-	read as follows: 33
2158		-	(10) Promulgate rules to implement this chapter. 34
2159		-	35
2160		-	SECTION 47. Arkansas Code § 6 -60-1504 is amended to read as follows: 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2161		-
2162		-	55 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2163		-
2164		-
2165		-	6-60-1504. Limitations. 1
2166		-	(a) Nothing in this subchapter shall be interpreted as: 2
2167		-	(1) Giving a member of the campus community the right to disrupt 3
2168		-	a previously scheduled or otherwise reserved activity; 4
2169		-	(2) Authorizing a member of the campus community to disregard a 5
2170		-	policy of the state-supported institution of higher education regarding: 6
2171		-	(A) Compliance with state and federal laws on 7
2172		-	discrimination and harassment; or 8
2173		-	(B) The productive and efficient operation of an 9
2174		-	instructional or work environment; 10
2175		-	(3) Preventing a state -supported institution of higher education 11
2176		-	from prohibiting, limiting, or restricting expression that is not protected 12
2177		-	under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Article 2, § 13
2178		-	6, of the Arkansas Constitution; or 14
2179		-	(4) Prohibiting a state -supported institution of higher 15
2180		-	education from imposing a restriction on the time, place, or manner of 16
2181		-	expression in or on a campus forum, provided the restriction on the time, 17
2182		-	place, or manner of expression: 18
2183		-	(A) Is reasonable; 19
2184		-	(B) Is justified without reference to the viewpoint of the 20
2185		-	speaker; 21
2186		-	(C) Is narrowly tailored to serve a significant state 22
2187		-	interest; and 23
2188		-	(D) Leaves open ample alternative channels for 24
2189		-	communication of the information or message contained in the expression. 25
2190		-	(b) A state-supported institution of higher education shall not grant 26
2191		-	excused absences for: 27
2192		-	(1) Purposes of political protest; 28
2193		-	(2) Social or public policy advocacy; or 29
2194		-	(3) Attempts to influence legislation or other governmental 30
2195		-	policymaking at the local, state, or federal level. 31
2196		-	(c) Academic standards, teaching standards, education standards, 32
2197		-	curriculum, teacher professional development, and rules in a state -supported 33
2198		-	institution of higher education shall not authorize student walkouts for 34
2199		-	purposes of: 35
2200		-	(1) Political protest; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2201		-
2202		-	56 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2203		-
2204		-
2205		-	(2) Social or public policy advocacy; or 1
2206		-	(3) Attempts to influence legislation or other governmental 2
2207		-	policymaking at the local, state, or federal level. 3
2208		-	(d) This section shall not be construed to prohibit students from 4
2209		-	attending curricular or co -curricular activities approved by the state -5
2210		-	supported institution of higher education. 6
2211		-	(e)(1) A student who negligently or intentionally causes damages to 7
2212		-	the property of a state -supported institution of higher education while 8
2213		-	engaging in a political protest or public policy advocacy shall be liable to 9
2214		-	the state-supported institution of higher education for damages caused by the 10
2215		-	student. 11
2216		-	(2) A state-supported institution of higher education may seek 12
2217		-	to recover damages described in subdivision (e)(1) of this section in a court 13
2218		-	of competent jurisdiction. 14
2219		-	(3) A student of a state -supported institution of higher 15
2220		-	education who has been found liable for damages described in subdivision 16
2221		-	(e)(1) of this section shall be subject to the following penalties until the 17
2222		-	judgment is fully satisfied: 18
2223		-	(A) The student shall be ineligible to receive a degree or 19
2224		-	credential from the state -supported institution of higher education; and 20
2225		-	(B) The state-supported institution of higher education 21
2226		-	shall not transfer or otherwise endorse credit issued by the state -supported 22
2227		-	institution of higher education for the purposes of satisfying degree 23
2228		-	requirements at any other state -supported institution of higher education. 24
2229		-	25
2230		-	SECTION 48. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 60, is amended to add 26
2231		-	additional subchapters to read as follows: 27
2232		-	Subchapter 16 — Rejecting Discrimination and Indoctrination in Postsecondary 28
2233		-	Education 29
2234		-	30
2235		-	6-60-1601. Legislative findings. 31
2236		-	The General Assembly recognizes that: 32
2237		-	(1) The First Amendment of the United States Constitution 33
2238		-	robustly protects the right to speak without government interference, but not 34
2239		-	to compel others to adopt, affirm, or adhere to specific beliefs; 35
2240		-	(2) The Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2241		-
2242		-	57 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2243		-
2244		-
2245		-	provides that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the 1
2246		-	equal protection of the law; 2
2247		-	(3) Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 promotes the 3
2248		-	desegregation of public schools and authorizes the United States Attorney 4
2249		-	General to file lawsuits to enforce the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 5
2250		-	1964. It defines "desegregation" as "the assignment of students to public 6
2251		-	schools and within such schools without regard to their race, color, 7
2252		-	religion, or national origin," thereby removing government -sanctioned racial 8
2253		-	discrimination in schools and implementing the United States Supreme Court’s 9
2254		-	holding in "Brown v. Board of Education" , 347 U.S. 483 (1954), that racial 10
2255		-	separation is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth 11
2256		-	Amendment; and 12
2257		-	(4) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states that “No 13
2258		-	person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national 14
2259		-	origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be 15
2260		-	subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal 16
2261		-	financial assistance". 17
2262		-	18
2263		-	6-60-1602. Purpose. 19
2264		-	(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that administrators, 20
2265		-	faculty, and other employees of a state -supported institution of higher 21
2266		-	education maintain nondiscriminatory policies in accordance with Title IV, 22
2267		-	Title VI, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 23
2268		-	(b) This subchapter is enacted to: 24
2269		-	(1) Prevent discrimination; 25
2270		-	(2) Promote the intellectual development of students and faculty 26
2271		-	in Arkansas; and 27
2272		-	(3) Protect the free exchange of ideas according to the United 28
2273		-	States Constitution and the Arkansas Constitution. 29
2274		-	30
2275		-	6-60-1603. Definitions. 31
2276		-	As used in this subchapter: 32
2277		-	(1) “Accreditation” means the status of public recognition that 33
2278		-	an accrediting agency grants to an educational institution; 34
2279		-	(2) “Accrediting agency” means a legal entity or part of a legal 35
2280		-	entity that: 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2281		-
2282		-	58 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2283		-
2284		-
2285		-	(A) Conducts accrediting activities; and 1
2286		-	(B) Makes decisions about the accreditation or pre - 2
2287		-	accreditation status of educational institutions; 3
2288		-	(3) “Affirm, adopt, or adhere to” includes communicative speech 4
2289		-	or act or action, including without limitation: 5
2290		-	(A) Engaging in symbolic speech; 6
2291		-	(B) Holding signs; 7
2292		-	(C) Raising hands; 8
2293		-	(D) Signing a pledge; or 9
2294		-	(E) Participating in a parade, “privilege walk”, or 10
2295		-	racially segregated activity of any sort; 11
2296		-	(4) “Compel” means: 12
2297		-	(A) Causing or pressuring an individual to perform an act 13
2298		-	or action against his or her will; or 14
2299		-	(B) Retaliating against an individual who declines to 15
2300		-	perform an act against his or her will; 16
2301		-	(5) “Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative” or “DEI” 17
2302		-	means: 18
2303		-	(A) An office, division, department, or administrative 19
2304		-	provider of a unit of study at a state -supported institution of higher 20
2305		-	education with the purpose of: 21
2306		-	(i) Influencing academic, administrative, hiring, or 22
2307		-	employment practices at the state -supported institution of higher education; 23
2308		-	(ii) Promoting: 24
2309		-	(a) Preferences based upon race, color, sex, 25
2310		-	ethnicity, or national origin; 26
2311		-	(b) Differential treatment on the basis of 27
2312		-	race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin; or 28
2313		-	(c) Political or social activism to consider 29
2314		-	race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin as factors in decision -30
2315		-	making, except where required by federal or state law; or 31
2316		-	(iii) Any promotion described in subdivision 32
2317		-	(5)(A)(ii) of this section that conflicts with state and federal 33
2318		-	antidiscrimination laws; or 34
2319		-	(B) Any program, activity, applicant statement, or 35
2320		-	training described in § 6 -60-1604 that promotes an activity described in 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2321		-
2322		-	59 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2323		-
2324		-
2325		-	subdivision (5)(A)(ii) of this section; 1
2326		-	(6) “State-supported institution of higher education” means a 2
2327		-	public postsecondary institution or a department in a public postsecondary 3
2328		-	institution that: 4
2329		-	(A) Provides: 5
2330		-	(i) An eligible program of training to prepare 6
2331		-	students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation; or 7
2332		-	(ii) A program leading to a baccalaureate degree or 8
2333		-	a graduate degree; and 9
2334		-	(B) Is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency or 10
2335		-	association and has continuously held the accreditation for the number of 11
2336		-	years required by the Division of Higher Education; and 12
2337		-	(7) "Unit of study" means a class, single component, or subject 13
2338		-	offered by a state-supported institution of higher education for the 14
2339		-	completion of a degree or that leads to a postsecondary award, including 15
2340		-	academic credit, or for the purposes of auditing a class. 16
2341		-	17
2342		-	6-60-1604. Prohibitions. 18
2343		-	(a) An officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, or contractor 19
2344		-	of a state-supported institution of higher education shall not compel another 20
2345		-	officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, contractor, or student of 21
2346		-	the state-supported institution of higher education to personally affirm, 22
2347		-	adopt, or adhere to ideas or beliefs in violation of Title IV, Title VI, or 23
2348		-	Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including without limitation: 24
2349		-	(1) That an individual should be adversely or advantageously 25
2350		-	treated on the basis of his or her race, ethnicity, sex, color, or national 26
2351		-	origin; and 27
2352		-	(2) That an individual student of a state -supported institution 28
2353		-	of higher education or group of students of a state -supported institution of 29
2354		-	higher education, by virtue of their race, ethnicity, sex, color, or national 30
2355		-	origin, bear collective guilt or are inherently responsible for actions 31
2356		-	committed by other members of the same race, ethnicity, sex, color, or 32
2357		-	national origin. 33
2358		-	(b) An officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, or contractor 34
2359		-	of a state-supported institution of higher education shall not adversely or 35
2360		-	advantageously treat students of the state -supported institution of higher 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2361		-
2362		-	60 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2363		-
2364		-
2365		-	education differently on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, color, or 1
2366		-	national origin except to the extent otherwise allowed by federal law. 2
2367		-	(c)(1) An officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, or 3
2368		-	contractor of a state -supported institution of higher education, when acting 4
2369		-	in the course of his or her official duties, shall not organize, participate 5
2370		-	in, or carry out any act or communication that would violate subsection (a) 6
2371		-	of this section. 7
2372		-	(2) The prohibition under subdivision (c)(1) of this section 8
2373		-	shall not be construed to prohibit an employee of a state -supported 9
2374		-	institution of higher education from: 10
2375		-	(A) Discussing the ideas and history of the concepts 11
2376		-	described in subsection (a) of this section for legitimate educational, 12
2377		-	andragogical, or pedagogical purposes consistent with this subchapter; and 13
2378		-	(B) Using methods of communication not in violation of 14
2379		-	this subchapter. 15
2380		-	(d) An officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, or contractor 16
2381		-	of a state-supported institution of higher education may not condition 17
2382		-	enrollment in or attendance of a class, training, or orientation of the 18
2383		-	state-supported institution of higher education: 19
2384		-	(1) On the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, color, or national 20
2385		-	origin where not required by federal law; or 21
2386		-	(2) On requiring an individual to personally affirm, adopt, or 22
2387		-	adhere to a political, philosophical, religious, or other ideological 23
2388		-	viewpoint. 24
2389		-	(e) An officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, or contractor 25
2390		-	of a state-supported institution of higher education shall not compel another 26
2391		-	officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, contractor, or student of 27
2392		-	the state-supported institution of higher education to personally affirm, 28
2393		-	adopt, or adhere to a political, philosophical, religious, or other 29
2394		-	ideological viewpoint. 30
2395		-	(f) A state-supported institution of higher education shall not: 31
2396		-	(1) Collect and report information related to DEI for 32
2397		-	institutional accreditation purposes; 33
2398		-	(2) Comply with any institutional accreditation requirement 34
2399		-	related to DEI, including without limitation the requirement of a diversity 35
2400		-	statement from a state -supported institution of higher education or any 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2401		-
2402		-	61 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2403		-
2404		-
2405		-	employee or contractor of a state -supported institution of higher education; 1
2406		-	or 2
2407		-	(3) Comply with any institutional accreditation requirement of 3
2408		-	an accrediting agency that would require the state -supported institution of 4
2409		-	higher education to violate this subchapter. 5
2410		-	(g)(1) This subchapter does not prohibit officers, agents, 6
2411		-	administrators, employees, teachers, contractors, or students of a state -7
2412		-	supported institution of higher education from discussing public policy 8
2413		-	issues or ideas that individuals may find unwelcome, disagreeable, or 9
2414		-	offensive. 10
2415		-	(2) It is the policy of this state that a state -supported 11
2416		-	institution of higher education educates students of the state -supported 12
2417		-	institution of higher education on how to think and not what to think. 13
2418		-	(h)(1) Upon the president or chancellor of a state -supported 14
2419		-	institution of higher education receiving notice from the Attorney General of 15
2420		-	a violation of this section, a state -supported institution of higher 16
2421		-	education that does not immediately make all reasonable efforts to resolve 17
2422		-	the violation of this section shall demonstrate compliance with all 18
2423		-	requirements of this section within a reasonable time . 19
2424		-	(2)(A) A state-supported institution of higher education that 20
2425		-	fails to demonstrate compliance with all requirements of this section within 21
2426		-	a reasonable time as required under subdivision (h)(1) of this section shall 22
2427		-	not be eligible for state funding under the state higher education funding 23
2428		-	formula. 24
2429		-	(B) In order to regain eligibility for receipt of state 25
2430		-	funding, a state-supported institution of higher education shall demonstrate 26
2431		-	compliance with all requirements of this section for not less than one (1) 27
2432		-	fiscal year after the fiscal year in which the state -supported institution of 28
2433		-	higher education became ineligible for receipt of state funding. 29
2434		-	(i) A state-supported institution of higher education shall not expend 30
2435		-	any state funds and shall reject any federal funds whose receipt requires the 31
2436		-	state-supported institution of higher education to violate this subchapter. 32
2437		-	(j) This subchapter shall not be construed to prevent compliance with 33
2438		-	any state or federal civil rights laws that do not depend on receipt of state 34
2439		-	or federal funding. 35
2440		-	(k) A state-supported institution of higher education shall not 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2441		-
2442		-	62 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2443		-
2444		-
2445		-	require a current or prospective officer, agent, administrator, employee, 1
2446		-	teacher, contractor, or student of the state -supported institution of higher 2
2447		-	education to submit a statement or diversity statement describing his or her 3
2448		-	views on matters related to race, ethnicity, sex, color, or national origin 4
2449		-	to be considered for the purposes of hiring, evaluating, admitting, or 5
2450		-	promoting the officer, agent, administrator, employee, teacher, contractor, 6
2451		-	or student of the state -supported institution of higher education. 7
2452		-	(l) This subchapter does not prohibit a state -supported institution of 8
2453		-	higher education from directing recruitment, advertisement, or promotion 9
2454		-	efforts to a specific population of prospective or existing students. 10
2455		-	(m) This subchapter may be enforced by the Attorney General on behalf 11
2456		-	of the state. 12
2457		-	13
2458		-	Subchapter 17 — Arkansas Direct Admissions Program 14
2459		-	15
2460		-	6-60-1701 Title. 16
2461		-	This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Arkansas Direct 17
2462		-	Admissions Program Act”. 18
2463		-	19
2464		-	6-60-1702. Definitions. 20
2465		-	As used in this subchapter: 21
2466		-	(1) “Application requirements” means the forms, payments, or 22
2467		-	activities that are required to be completed by a student to apply to a 23
	2519	+	6-60-1701 Title. 9
	2520	+	This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Arkansas Direct 10
	2521	+	Admissions Program Act”. 11
	2522	+	12
	2523	+	6-60-1702. Definitions. 13
	2524	+	As used in this subchapter: 14
	2525	+	(1) “Application requirements” means the forms, payments, or 15
	2526	+	activities that are required to be completed by a student to apply to a 16
	2527	+	state-supported institution of higher education as set by each participating 17
	2528	+	institution; 18
	2529	+	(2) “Eligible student” means a student who resides in Arkansas 19
	2530	+	and attends a public or private accredited high school that has agreed to 20
	2531	+	participate in the Arkansas Direct Admissions Program; 21
	2532	+	(3) “Enrollment requirements” means the forms, payments, or 22
	2533	+	activities that are required to be completed by a student to enroll in a 23
2468	2534		state-supported institution of higher education as set by each participating 24
2469	2535		institution; 25
2470		-	(2) “Eligible student” means a student who resides in Arkansas 26
2471		-	and attends a public or private accredited high school that has agreed to 27
2472		-	participate in the Arkansas Direct Admissions Program; 28
2473		-	(3) “Enrollment requirements” means the forms, payments, or 29
2474		-	activities that are required to be completed by a student to enroll in a 30
2475		-	state-supported institution of higher education as set by each participating 31
2476		-	institution; 32
2477		-	(4) “Participating institution” means a state -supported 33
2478		-	institution of higher education, community college, or technical college 34
2479		-	within Arkansas that uses the Arkansas Direct Admissions Program; 35
2480		-	(5) “Participating public school” means: 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2481		-
2482		-	63 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2483		-
2484		-
2485		-	(A) A public high school within a traditional public 1
2486		-	school district that is accredited by the State Board of Education; 2
2487		-	(B) An open-enrollment public charter school organized as 3
2488		-	a high school that is authorized by the charter authorizing panel; and 4
2489		-	(C) A private high school that is accredited by: 5
2490		-	(i) The Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting 6
2491		-	Association, Inc., or its successor; or 7
2492		-	(ii) Another accrediting association recognized by 8
2493		-	the state board; 9
2494		-	(6) “Provisional admissions criteria” means the minimum academic 10
2495		-	requirements that a student is required to meet to receive a provisional 11
2496		-	admissions offer from a participating institution; and 12
2497		-	(7)(A) “Provisional admissions offer” means a determination that 13
2498		-	a student meets admissions criteria. 14
2499		-	(B) "Provisional admissions offer" does not mean 15
2500		-	acceptance to a participating institution. 16
2501		-	17
2502		-	§ 6-60-1703. Arkansas Direct Admissions Program. 18
2503		-	(a) There is established the Arkansas Direct Admissions Program. 19
2504		-	(b) The program shall: 20
2505		-	(1) Begin implementation with the high school graduating class 21
2506		-	of 2026-2027; 22
2507		-	(2) Establish: 23
2508		-	(A) Provisional admissions criteria, including without 24
2509		-	limitation: 25
2510		-	(i) Grade point average; 26
2511		-	(ii) Assessment scores; and 27
2512		-	(iii) Course completion; 28
2513		-	(B) Eligibility requirements for participating 29
2514		-	institutions that include without limitation: 30
2515		-	(i) Application requirements; and 31
2516		-	(ii) Enrollment requirements; and 32
2517		-	(C) Eligibility requirements for participating public 33
2518		-	schools; 34
2519		-	(3) Require the collection of student academic information to 35
2520		-	determine provisional admissions offers; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2521		-
2522		-	64 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2523		-
2524		-
2525		-	(4) Include a common application portal for eligible students to 1
2526		-	participate in the program that may include without limitation: 2
2527		-	(A) Information about participating institutions; 3
2528		-	(B) Communication of provisional admissions offers to 4
2529		-	participating students; and 5
2530		-	(C) Information about available financial aid; and 6
2531		-	(5) Include a plan to conduct outreach to eligible students to 7
2532		-	provide the eligible students with information regarding the operation of the 8
2533		-	program. 9
2534		-	(c) This section shall not prevent a student who does not qualify for 10
2535		-	a provisional admissions offer from applying for enrollment in a 11
2536		-	participating institution through the participating institution's existing 12
2537		-	admissions process. 13
2538		-	(d) The Division of Higher Education may promulgate rules to implement 14
2539		-	this subchapter. 15
	2536	+	(4) “Participating institution” means a state -supported 26
	2537	+	institution of higher education, community college, or technical college 27
	2538	+	within Arkansas that uses the Arkansas Direct Admissions Program; 28
	2539	+	(5) “Participating public school” means: 29
	2540	+	(A) A public high school within a traditional public 30
	2541	+	school district that is accredited by the State Board of Education; 31
	2542	+	(B) An open-enrollment public charter school organized as 32
	2543	+	a high school that is authorized by the charter authorizing panel; and 33
	2544	+	(C) A private high school that is accredited by: 34
	2545	+	(i) The Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting 35
	2546	+	Association, Inc., or its successor; or 36 SB246
	2547	+
	2548	+	68 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2549	+	(ii) Another accrediting association recognized by 1
	2550	+	the state board; 2
	2551	+	(6) “Provisional admissions criteria” means the minimum academic 3
	2552	+	requirements that a student is required to meet to receive a provisional 4
	2553	+	admissions offer from a participating institution; and 5
	2554	+	(7)(A) “Provisional admissions offer” means a determination that 6
	2555	+	a student meets admissions criteria. 7
	2556	+	(B) "Provisional admissions offer" does not mean 8
	2557	+	acceptance to a participating institution. 9
	2558	+	10
	2559	+	§ 6-60-1703. Arkansas Direct Admissions Program. 11
	2560	+	(a) There is established the Arkansas Direct Admissions Program. 12
	2561	+	(b) The program shall: 13
	2562	+	(1) Begin implementation with the high school graduating class 14
	2563	+	of 2026-2027; 15
	2564	+	(2) Establish: 16
	2565	+	(A) Provisional admissions criteria, including without 17
	2566	+	limitation: 18
	2567	+	(i) Grade point average; 19
	2568	+	(ii) Assessment scores; and 20
	2569	+	(iii) Course completion; 21
	2570	+	(B) Eligibility requirements for participating 22
	2571	+	institutions that include without limitation: 23
	2572	+	(i) Application requirements; and 24
	2573	+	(ii) Enrollment requirements; and 25
	2574	+	(C) Eligibility requirements for participating public 26
	2575	+	schools; 27
	2576	+	(3) Require the collection of student academic information to 28
	2577	+	determine provisional admissions offers; 29
	2578	+	(4) Include a common application portal for eligible students to 30
	2579	+	participate in the program that may include without limitation: 31
	2580	+	(A) Information about participating institutions; 32
	2581	+	(B) Communication of provisional admissions offers to 33
	2582	+	participating students; and 34
	2583	+	(C) Information about available financial aid; and 35
	2584	+	(5) Include a plan to conduct outreach to eligible students to 36 SB246
	2585	+
	2586	+	69 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2587	+	provide the eligible students with information regarding the operation of the 1
	2588	+	program. 2
	2589	+	(c) This section shall not prevent a student who does not qualify for 3
	2590	+	a provisional admissions offer from applying for enrollment in a 4
	2591	+	participating institution through the participating institution's existing 5
	2592	+	admissions process. 6
	2593	+	(d) The Division of Higher Education may promulgate rules to implement 7
	2594	+	this subchapter. 8
	2595	+	9
	2596	+	§ 6-60-1704. Duties of public school districts and open -enrollment 10
	2597	+	public charter schools. 11
	2598	+	(a) A public school district or open -enrollment public charter school 12
	2599	+	may opt to participate in the Arkansas Direct Admissions Program. 13
	2600	+	(b) A participating public school shall provide student data to the 14
	2601	+	Division of Higher Education that includes without limitation: 15
	2602	+	(1) Grade point average; 16
	2603	+	(2) Assessment scores; and 17
	2604	+	(3) Course completion. 18
	2605	+	(c)(1) Each public school district and open -enrollment public charter 19
	2606	+	school shall inform all students about participation in the Arkansas Direct 20
	2607	+	Admissions Program. 21
	2608	+	(2) A public school district or open -enrollment public charter 22
	2609	+	school shall not actively discourage or prohibit an eligible student from 23
	2610	+	participating in the Arkansas Direct Admissions Program. 24
	2611	+	25
	2612	+	SECTION 49. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 61, Subchapter 1, is 26
	2613	+	amended to add an additional section to read as follows: 27
	2614	+	§ 6-61-144. Purple Star Campuses. 28
	2615	+	(a) A state-supported institution of higher education that shows a 29
	2616	+	significant commitment to serving students and families connected to the 30
	2617	+	United States Armed Forces may be designated as a Purple Star Campus. 31
	2618	+	(b) The Division of Higher Education may promulgate rules to implement 32
	2619	+	this section. 33
	2620	+	34
	2621	+	SECTION 50. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-201(a)-(c), concerning membership of 35
	2622	+	the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, are amended to read as 36 SB246
	2623	+
	2624	+	70 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2625	+	follows: 1
	2626	+	(a)(1) The Beginning May 1, 2025, the Arkansas Higher Education 2
	2627	+	Coordinating Board shall consist of twelve (12) seven (7) members appointed 3
	2628	+	by the Governor as follows: 4
	2629	+	(A)(i) Six (6) Four (4) members who shall be: 5
	2630	+	(a) Qualified electors of the State of 6
	2631	+	Arkansas; and 7
	2632	+	(b) Graduates of public two-year or four-year 8
	2633	+	state-supported institutions of higher education within the state. 9
	2634	+	(ii) If an appointee under this subdivision (a)(1)(A) 10
	2635	+	is serving as a member of a board of a two -year or four-year state-supported 11
	2636	+	institution of higher education at the time of appointment to the Arkansas 12
	2637	+	Higher Education Coordinating Board, the appointee shall relinquish his or 13
	2638	+	her membership on the board of the two -year or four-year state-supported 14
	2639	+	institution of higher education; and 15
	2640	+	(B)(i) Six (6) Three (3) members shall be selected from 16
	2641	+	business, industry, education, agriculturally related industry, and medical 17
	2642	+	services and shall not be current members of a board of a public two-year or 18
	2643	+	four-year state-supported institution of higher education. 19
	2644	+	(ii) At least one (1) of the appointees shall have a 20
	2645	+	strong interest in and commitment to economic and workforce development. 21
	2646	+	(iii) At least one (1) of the appointees shall have 22
	2647	+	experience in the knowledge -based technology field. 23
	2648	+	(2) No more than four (4) two (2) members of the Arkansas Higher 24
	2649	+	Education Coordinating Board shall be appointed from any one (1) 25
	2650	+	congressional district as the districts exist at the time of the appointment. 26
	2651	+	(b) Vacancies on the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board 27
	2652	+	shall be filled for the unexpired terms, and the appointments shall be made 28
	2653	+	in the same manner as the positions vacated. 29
	2654	+	(c)(1) The members of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board 30
	2655	+	shall serve staggered terms of six (6) years. 31
	2656	+	(2) The terms of two (2) members shall expire each year. 32
	2657	+	33
	2658	+	SECTION 51. Arkansas Code § 6-61-202(a), concerning powers and duties 34
	2659	+	of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, is amended to add 35
	2660	+	additional subdivisions to read as follows: 36 SB246
	2661	+
	2662	+	71 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2663	+	(8) Perform all other functions that may now or hereafter be 1
	2664	+	delegated to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board by law; and 2
	2665	+	(9) Promulgate rules to perform all duties and obligations to 3
	2666	+	implement this subchapter. 4
	2667	+	5
	2668	+	SECTION 52. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-231(b)(1), concerning the purpose of 6
	2669	+	the statewide transfer agreement, is amended to read as follows: 7
	2670	+	(b)(1) The purpose of this section is to eliminate obstacles to 8
	2671	+	transfers of credits among public state-supported institutions of higher 9
	2672	+	education in Arkansas by providing a seamless transfer of academic credits 10
	2673	+	from a completed designated transfer degree program or a completed state 11
	2674	+	minimum core curriculum to a baccalaureate degree program without the loss of 12
	2675	+	earned credits and without the receiving public state-supported institution 13
	2676	+	of higher education requiring additional lower -division general education 14
	2677	+	credits. 15
2540	2678		16
2541		-	§ 6-60-1704. Duties of public school districts and open -enrollment 17
2542		-	public charter schools. 18
2543		-	(a) A public school district or open -enrollment public charter school 19
2544		-	may opt to participate in the Arkansas Direct Admissions Program. 20
2545		-	(b) A participating public school shall provide student data to the 21
2546		-	Division of Higher Education that includes without limitation: 22
2547		-	(1) Grade point average; 23
2548		-	(2) Assessment scores; and 24
2549		-	(3) Course completion. 25
2550		-	(c)(1) Each public school district and open -enrollment public charter 26
2551		-	school shall inform all students about participation in the Arkansas Direct 27
2552		-	Admissions Program. 28
2553		-	(2) A public school district or open -enrollment public charter 29
2554		-	school shall not actively discourage or prohibit an eligible student from 30
2555		-	participating in the Arkansas Direct Admissions Program. 31
2556		-	32
2557		-	SECTION 49. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 61, Subchapter 1, is 33
2558		-	amended to add an additional section to read as follows: 34
2559		-	§ 6-61-144. Purple Star Campuses. 35
2560		-	(a) A state-supported institution of higher education that shows a 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2561		-
2562		-	65 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2563		-
2564		-
2565		-	significant commitment to serving students and families connected to the 1
2566		-	United States Armed Forces may be designated as a Purple Star Campus. 2
2567		-	(b) The Division of Higher Education may promulgate rules to implement 3
2568		-	this section. 4
2569		-	5
2570		-	SECTION 50. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-201(a)-(c), concerning membership of 6
2571		-	the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, are amended to read as 7
2572		-	follows: 8
2573		-	(a)(1) The Beginning May 1, 2025, the Arkansas Higher Education 9
2574		-	Coordinating Board shall consist of twelve (12) seven (7) members appointed 10
2575		-	by the Governor as follows: 11
2576		-	(A)(i) Six (6) Four (4) members who shall be: 12
2577		-	(a) Qualified electors of the State of 13
2578		-	Arkansas; and 14
2579		-	(b) Graduates of public two-year or four-year 15
2580		-	state-supported institutions of higher education within the state. 16
2581		-	(ii) If an appointee under this subdivision (a)(1)(A) 17
2582		-	is serving as a member of a board of a two -year or four-year state-supported 18
2583		-	institution of higher education at the time of appointment to the Arkansas 19
2584		-	Higher Education Coordinating Board, the appointee shall relinquish his or 20
2585		-	her membership on the board of the two -year or four-year state-supported 21
2586		-	institution of higher education; and 22
2587		-	(B)(i) Six (6) Three (3) members shall be selected from 23
2588		-	business, industry, education, agriculturally related industry, and medical 24
2589		-	services and shall not be current members of a board of a public two-year or 25
2590		-	four-year state-supported institution of higher education. 26
2591		-	(ii) At least one (1) of the appointees shall have a 27
2592		-	strong interest in and commitment to economic and workforce development. 28
2593		-	(iii) At least one (1) of the appointees shall have 29
2594		-	experience in the knowledge -based technology field. 30
2595		-	(2) No more than four (4) two (2) members of the Arkansas Higher 31
2596		-	Education Coordinating Board shall be appointed from any one (1) 32
2597		-	congressional district as the districts exist at the time of the appointment. 33
2598		-	(b) Vacancies on the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board 34
2599		-	shall be filled for the unexpired terms, and the appointments shall be made 35
2600		-	in the same manner as the positions vacated. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2601		-
2602		-	66 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2603		-
2604		-
2605		-	(c)(1) The members of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board 1
2606		-	shall serve staggered terms of six (6) years. 2
2607		-	(2) The terms of two (2) members shall expire each year. 3
	2679	+	SECTION 53. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-231(c), concerning the statewide 17
	2680	+	transfer agreement developed by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating 18
	2681	+	Board, is amended to add an additional subdivision read as follows: 19
	2682	+	(6)(A) Provides for a reverse transfer agreement for a student 20
	2683	+	seeking an associate degree that transfers to a four -year state-supported 21
	2684	+	institution of higher education before earning an associate of arts degree. 22
	2685	+	(B)(i) Except as provided in subsection (c)(6)(B)(ii), a 23
	2686	+	student shall be awarded an associate degree by the two -year state-supported 24
	2687	+	institution of higher education upon completing the degree requirements at 25
	2688	+	the four-year state-supported institution of higher education if the student 26
	2689	+	earned more than thirty (30) credit hours toward the associate degree at the 27
	2690	+	two-year state-supported institution of higher education. 28
	2691	+	(ii) A student eligible to receive an associate 29
	2692	+	degree under subdivision (c)(6)(B)(i) of this section shall be: 30
	2693	+	(a) Notified in writing that the student is 31
	2694	+	eligible to receive an associate degree; 32
	2695	+	(b) Provided an opportunity to decline the 33
	2696	+	award of the associate degree; and 34
	2697	+	(c) Awarded the associate degree if the 35
	2698	+	student takes no action within thirty (30) days of being provided notice 36 SB246
	2699	+
	2700	+	72 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2701	+	under subdivision (c)(6)(B)(ii)(a) of this section. 1
	2702	+	(C) A four-year state-supported institution of higher 2
	2703	+	education shall identify each student who has completed requirements for an 3
	2704	+	associate degree and, upon consent of the student, transfer credits earned at 4
	2705	+	the four-year state-supported institution of higher education to the two -year 5
	2706	+	state-supported institution of higher education so that the associate of arts 6
	2707	+	degree may be awarded by the two -year state-supported institution of higher 7
	2708	+	education. 8
	2709	+	9
	2710	+	SECTION 54. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-231(d)(2)(B), concerning the 10
	2711	+	requirement of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board related to 11
	2712	+	the statewide transfer agreement to identify postsecondary career education 12
	2713	+	programs offered by two -year public institutions of higher education is 13
	2714	+	amended to read as follows: 14
	2715	+	(B) Postsecondary career and technical education programs 15
	2716	+	offered by two-year public state-supported institutions of higher education, 16
	2717	+	including those designated as college -credit courses applicable toward a 17
	2718	+	certificate or degree; 18
	2719	+	19
	2720	+	SECTION 55. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-234 is amended to read as follows: 20
	2721	+	6-61-234. Productivity-based funding model. 21
	2722	+	(a)(1)(A) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt 22
	2723	+	policies developed by the Division of Higher Education may promulgate rules 23
	2724	+	necessary to implement a productivity -based funding model for state -supported 24
	2725	+	institutions of higher education , including without limitation two -year and 25
	2726	+	four-year state-supported institutions of higher education . 26
	2727	+	(B) The board shall adopt separate policies for two -year 27
	2728	+	institutions of higher education and four -year institutions of higher 28
	2729	+	education. 29
	2730	+	(2) The policies rules adopted to implement a productivity -based 30
	2731	+	funding model for state -supported institutions of higher education shall 31
	2732	+	contain measures for effectiveness, affordability, and efficiency that 32
	2733	+	acknowledge the following priorities: 33
	2734	+	(A) Differences in institutional missions; 34
	2735	+	(B) Completion of students' educational goals; 35
	2736	+	(C) Progression toward students' completion of programs of 36 SB246
	2737	+
	2738	+	73 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2739	+	study; 1
	2740	+	(D) Affordability through: 2
	2741	+	(i) On-time completion of programs of study; 3
	2742	+	(ii) Limiting the number of excess credits earned by 4
	2743	+	students; and 5
	2744	+	(iii) Efficient allocation of resources; 6
	2745	+	(E)(i) Beginning in the 2026 -2027 academic year, 7
	2746	+	incorporation of a return on investment metric into the productivity -based 8
	2747	+	funding model. 9
	2748	+	(ii) The return on investment metric under 10
	2749	+	subdivision (a)(2)(E)(i) of this section shall be defined by rule of the 11
	2750	+	Division of Higher Education. 12
	2751	+	(iii) The Division of Higher Education shall ensure 13
	2752	+	that the return on investment metric required under subdivision (a)(2)(E)(i) 14
	2753	+	of this section is aligned with state economic and workforce needs; 15
	2754	+	(E)(F) Institutional collaboration that encourages the 16
	2755	+	successful transfer of students; 17
	2756	+	(F)(G) Success in serving underrepresented students; and 18
	2757	+	(G)(H) Production of students graduating with credentials 19
	2758	+	in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and high -demand fields that 20
	2759	+	align with statewide and regional workforce needs . 21
	2760	+	(3)(A) The Division of Higher Education may promulgate rules to 22
	2761	+	implement a funding formula to support noncredit programs at a state -23
	2762	+	supported institution of higher education. 24
	2763	+	(B) Funding for a noncredit program shall come from the 25
	2764	+	following: 26
	2765	+	(i) Educational Excellence Trust Fund revenues; 27
	2766	+	(ii) General revenues authorized by law; and 28
	2767	+	(iii) Any other funds as provided by law. 29
	2768	+	(C) The Division of Higher Education shall consult with 30
	2769	+	the Governor's Workforce Cabinet during development of the funding formula 31
	2770	+	for the noncredit programs under subdivision (a)(3)(A) of this section. 32
	2771	+	(3)(4) The productivity-based funding model shall not determine 33
	2772	+	the funding needs of special units such as a medical school, a division of 34
	2773	+	agriculture, or system offices. 35
	2774	+	(b) The productivity -based funding model shall be: 36 SB246
	2775	+
	2776	+	74 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2777	+	(1) Used to align institutional funding with statewide 1
	2778	+	priorities for higher education by: 2
	2779	+	(A) Encouraging programs and services focused on student 3
	2780	+	success; and 4
	2781	+	(B) Providing incentives for progress toward statewide 5
	2782	+	goals; and 6
	2783	+	(2) Built around a set of shared principles that: 7
	2784	+	(A) Are embraced by state -supported institutions of higher 8
	2785	+	education; 9
	2786	+	(B) Employ appropriate productivity metrics; and 10
	2787	+	(C) Are aligned with goals and objectives for 11
	2788	+	postsecondary education attainment in this state. 12
	2789	+	(c)(1) The board Division of Higher Education shall use the 13
	2790	+	productivity-based funding model as the mechanism for recommending funding 14
	2791	+	for state-supported institutions of higher education. 15
	2792	+	(2) The board Division of Higher Education shall recommend 16
	2793	+	funding for: 17
	2794	+	(A) State-supported institutions of higher education as a 18
	2795	+	whole; and 19
	2796	+	(B) The allocation of funding to each state -supported 20
	2797	+	institution of higher education. 21
	2798	+	(3) The board Division of Higher Education shall may make 22
	2799	+	separate recommendations for : 23
	2800	+	(A) two-year Two-year state-supported institutions of 24
	2801	+	higher education; and 25
	2802	+	(B) four-year Four-year state-supported institutions of 26
	2803	+	higher education. 27
	2804	+	(d) Funds unallocated to state -supported institutions of higher 28
	2805	+	education due to productivity declines shall be reserved by the division 29
	2806	+	Division of Higher Education to address statewide needs in higher education. 30
	2807	+	(e) The division Division of Higher Education shall review the 31
	2808	+	policies every five (5) years to ensure the productivity -based funding model 32
	2809	+	continues to respond to the needs and priorities of the state. 33
	2810	+	(f) In any fiscal year for which the aggregate general revenue funding 34
	2811	+	forecast to be available for state -supported institutions of higher education 35
	2812	+	is greater than two percent (2%) less than the amount provided for the 36 SB246
	2813	+
	2814	+	75 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2815	+	immediate previous fiscal year, the division shall not further implement the 1
	2816	+	productivity-based funding model until the following fiscal year. 2
	2817	+	3
	2818	+	SECTION 56. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-1010, concerning authority of the 4
	2819	+	Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board under the Technical College and 5
	2820	+	Community College Capital Improvement Act of 1993, is amended to add an 6
	2821	+	additional subsection to read as follows: 7
	2822	+	(f) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board may promulgate 8
	2823	+	rules to implement this subchapter. 9
	2824	+	10
	2825	+	SECTION 57. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-1402 is amended to read as follows: 11
	2826	+	6-61-1402. Courses included in common course numbering system. 12
	2827	+	(a)(1) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in 13
	2828	+	collaboration with all state -supported institutions of higher education, 14
	2829	+	shall develop and approve a statewide common course numbering system for 15
	2830	+	lower-division general education courses found within the Arkansas Course 16
	2831	+	Transfer System. 17
	2832	+	(2)(b) A state-supported institution of higher education that is 18
	2833	+	not in full compliance with this subchapter shall not be eligible to accept 19
	2834	+	state aid from the Higher Education Grants Fund Account on behalf of a 20
	2835	+	student. 21
	2836	+	(b)(1) A course designated as an upper -division course level may be 22
	2837	+	offered by any four-year state-supported institution of higher education and 23
	2838	+	shall be characterized by a need for advanced academic preparation and skills 24
	2839	+	that a student would be unlikely to achieve without significant prior 25
	2840	+	coursework. 26
	2841	+	(2) Upper-division courses are not required to be included in 27
	2842	+	the common course numbering system. 28
	2843	+	(c) A course designated as a lower -division course level may be 29
	2844	+	offered by any state -supported institution of higher education. 30
	2845	+	(d) The common course numbering system shall include the thirty -five-31
	2846	+	hour general education core and major program prerequisites that are included 32
	2847	+	in the state minimum core curriculum under § 6 -61-231. 33
	2848	+	34
	2849	+	SECTION 58. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-1403 is amended to read as follows: 35
	2850	+	6-61-1403. Additions or alterations. 36 SB246
	2851	+
	2852	+	76 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2853	+	(a) The Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education shall 1
	2854	+	recommend to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board any additions 2
	2855	+	or alterations to the common course numbering system. 3
	2856	+	(b) The board, with input from the Presidents Council, shall consider 4
	2857	+	the recommended additions and alterations to the common course numbering 5
	2858	+	system. 6
	2859	+	(c) The board may adopt or refuse to adopt suggested additions or 7
	2860	+	alterations to the common course numbering system. 8
	2861	+	Beginning with the 2026 -2027 academic year, the Division of Higher 9
	2862	+	Education, in collaboration with the Division of Elementary and Secondary 10
	2863	+	Education, shall: 11
	2864	+	(1) Make recommendations for additions and alterations to the 12
	2865	+	common course numbering system; and 13
	2866	+	(2) Review the common course numbering system to begin aligning 14
	2867	+	elementary and secondary courses. 15
	2868	+	16
	2869	+	SECTION 59. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-1406 is amended to read as follows: 17
	2870	+	6-61-1406. Courses review. 18
	2871	+	(a) The Division of Higher Education , in consultation with the 19
	2872	+	Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, shall: 20
	2873	+	(1) Regularly schedule reviews of courses that are listed in the 21
	2874	+	common course numbering system; and 22
	2875	+	(2) Establish review procedures ; and 23
	2876	+	(3) Adopt policies to carry out this section. 24
	2877	+	(b) The Division of Higher Education, in collaboration with the 25
	2878	+	Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, may promulgate rules to 26
	2879	+	implement this subchapter. 27
	2880	+	28
	2881	+	SECTION 60. Arkansas Code § 6 -63-104 is amended to read as follows: 29
	2882	+	6-63-104. Faculty performance review. 30
	2883	+	(a)(1) The president and chancellor of each state -supported 31
	2884	+	institution of higher education in Arkansas shall work with the campus 32
	2885	+	faculties to develop a framework to review faculty performance, including 33
	2886	+	post-tenure review. 34
	2887	+	(2)(A) The framework should be used to develop processes and 35
	2888	+	procedures at each state-supported institution to ensure a consistently high 36 SB246
	2889	+
	2890	+	77 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2891	+	level of performance of the faculty at Arkansas's publicly supported 1
	2892	+	institutions a state-supported institution of higher education. 2
	2893	+	(B) The effects of the review process of faculty 3
	2894	+	performance should include rewarding productive faculty, redirecting faculty 4
	2895	+	efforts to improve or to increase productivity, and correcting instances of 5
	2896	+	substandard performance. 6
	2897	+	(C) The framework developed by each state-supported 7
	2898	+	institution shall be reported to the House Committee on Education, the Senate 8
	2899	+	Committee on Education, the Joint Interim Oversight Committee on Education 9
	2900	+	Reform, and the Division of Higher Education no later than December 1, 1998 10
	2901	+	2025, and shall be implemented on the respective campuses no later than 11
	2902	+	January 1, 2001 2026. 12
	2903	+	(b)(1) Pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, each state -13
	2904	+	supported institution of higher education in Arkansas shall conduct a 14
	2905	+	rigorous, consistently applied, annual review of the performance of all full -15
	2906	+	time faculty members. 16
	2907	+	(2) This review shall include assessments by peers, students, 17
	2908	+	and administrators and shall be utilized to ensure a consistently high level 18
	2909	+	of performance and serve in conjunction with other appropriate information as 19
	2910	+	a basis for decisions on promotion, salary increases, and job tenure. The 20
	2911	+	evaluation by students and administrative staff, shall be applicable to all 21
	2912	+	teaching faculty, full -time, part-time, and graduate teaching assistants and 22
	2913	+	shall include an assessment of the fluency in English of the faculty member 23
	2914	+	or graduate teaching assistant. This review shall not be used to demote a 24
	2915	+	tenured faculty member to a nontenured status. 25
	2916	+	(3) The review process may result in the following corrective 26
	2917	+	actions: 27
	2918	+	(A) Remedial training; 28
	2919	+	(B) Removal of tenure status; or 29
	2920	+	(C) Any other action permitted by the state -supported 30
	2921	+	institution of higher education’s review policy. 31
	2922	+	(4)(A) A state-supported institution of higher education may 32
	2923	+	require an immediate for cause review of a faculty member as described in 33
	2924	+	subsection (f) of this section. 34
	2925	+	(B) A faculty member may appeal a state -supported 35
	2926	+	institution of higher education’s performance review decision in accordance 36 SB246
	2927	+
	2928	+	78 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2929	+	with the provisions set by the state -supported institution of higher 1
	2930	+	education in its faculty performance review framework. 2
	2931	+	(C) A state-supported institution of higher education 3
	2932	+	shall provide a faculty member with appropriate due process. 4
	2933	+	(c)(1) Each college and university state-supported institution of 5
	2934	+	higher education shall continually make efforts to identify any English 6
	2935	+	fluency deficiencies of the teaching faculty and shall take reasonable 7
	2936	+	measures to assist deficient faculty members in becoming proficient in 8
	2937	+	English; however, the responsibility of acquiring the level of English 9
	2938	+	proficiency required for the faculty member's teaching, research, or service 10
	2939	+	assignments rests with the faculty member. 11
	2940	+	(2) Each college and university state-supported institution of 12
	2941	+	higher education shall have a process for addressing concerns raised by 13
	2942	+	students concerning language proficiency problems of faculty members. 14
	2943	+	(d)(1) The division A state-supported institution of higher education 15
	2944	+	shall be responsible for monitoring the evaluation performance review process 16
	2945	+	and shall report its findings to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating 17
	2946	+	Board and to the Legislative Council by August 1 of each year of all faculty 18
	2947	+	members. 19
	2948	+	(2) The state-supported institution of higher education shall 20
	2949	+	report by August 1 each year to its governing board the number of: 21
	2950	+	(A) Tenure track positions; 22
	2951	+	(B) Faculty members with current tenure status; 23
	2952	+	(C) Faculty members that initially received tenure status; 24
	2953	+	(D) Faculty members with tenure status in which tenure was 25
	2954	+	reviewed that year; and 26
	2955	+	(E) Faculty members whose tenure status was: 27
	2956	+	(i) Maintained; 28
	2957	+	(ii) Conditionally maintained; and 29
	2958	+	(iii) Revoked. 30
	2959	+	(e) Each state-supported institution of higher education shall require 31
	2960	+	full-time faculty members of the college of education and related disciplines 32
	2961	+	to work collaboratively with the accredited public schools in this state, and 33
	2962	+	such faculty involvement shall be included as part of the annual review of 34
	2963	+	the faculty as required by subsection (b) of this section. 35
	2964	+	(f) A state-supported institution of higher education may require an 36 SB246
	2965	+
	2966	+	79 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	2967	+	immediate for cause review of a faculty member, including a faculty member 1
	2968	+	with tenure, at any time if the state -supported institution of higher 2
	2969	+	education determines that the faculty member has: 3
	2970	+	(1) Exhibited professional incompetence in the performance of 4
	2971	+	his or her mandatory job duties; 5
	2972	+	(2) Continually or repeatedly failed to perform duties or meet 6
	2973	+	professional responsibilities of the faculty member's position; 7
	2974	+	(3) Failed to successfully complete any post -tenure review 8
	2975	+	professional development program; 9
	2976	+	(4) Violated laws or policies of a university system or a state -10
	2977	+	supported institution of higher education that are substantially related to 11
	2978	+	the performance of the faculty member's duties; 12
	2979	+	(5) Been convicted of a crime affecting the fitness of the 13
	2980	+	faculty member to engage in teaching, research, service, outreach, or 14
	2981	+	administration; 15
	2982	+	(6) Engaged in unprofessional conduct that adversely affects the 16
	2983	+	state-supported institution of higher education or the faculty member's 17
	2984	+	performance of duties or meeting of responsibilities; 18
	2985	+	(7) Falsified the faculty member's academic credentials; or 19
	2986	+	(8) Met any other for cause justification as defined in the 20
	2987	+	state-supported institution of higher education's review policy. 21
	2988	+	(g) The division may promulgate rules to implement this section. 22
	2989	+	23
	2990	+	SECTION 61. Arkansas Code § 6 -80-105 is amended to read as follows: 24
	2991	+	6-80-105. Student financial aid — Scholarship stacking — Definitions. 25
	2992	+	(a) As used in this section: 26
	2993	+	(1) “Cost of attendance” means the recognized cost of attendance 27
	2994	+	of an institution of higher education calculated under rules established by 28
	2995	+	the Division of Higher Education amount reported as the cost of attendance by 29
	2996	+	an institution of higher education to the Division of Higher Education 30
	2997	+	through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; 31
	2998	+	(2) “Federal aid” means scholarships or grants awarded to a 32
	2999	+	student as a result of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, 33
	3000	+	excluding the Pell Grant; 34
	3001	+	(3) “Other aid” means a scholarship, grant, waiver, or 35
	3002	+	reimbursement for tuition, fees, books, or other cost of attendance, other 36 SB246
	3003	+
	3004	+	80 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3005	+	than federal aid or state aid, provided to a student from a postsecondary 1
	3006	+	institution or a private source; 2
	3007	+	(4) “State aid” means scholarships or grants awarded to a 3
	3008	+	student from public funds, including without limitation the Arkansas Academic 4
	3009	+	Challenge Scholarship under § 6 -85-201 et seq., the Division of Higher 5
	3010	+	Education division's scholarship and grant programs, state general revenues, 6
	3011	+	tuition, and local tax revenue; and 7
	3012	+	(5)(A) “Student aid package” means federal aid, state aid, and 8
	3013	+	other aid a student receives for postsecondary education expenses. 9
	3014	+	(B) “Student aid package” does not include federal aid, 10
	3015	+	state aid, or other aid received by a student who is: 11
	3016	+	(i) An active member of the United States Armed 12
	3017	+	Forces; 13
	3018	+	(ii) An active member of the National Guard; 14
	3019	+	(iii) A member of the reserve components of the 15
	3020	+	armed forces; or 16
	3021	+	(iv) The spouse of a person under subdivision 17
	3022	+	(a)(5)(B)(i), subdivision (a)(5)(B)(ii), or subdivision (a)(5)(B)(iii) of 18
	3023	+	this section. 19
	3024	+	(b)(1) The federal cost of attendance method shall be used for all 20
	3025	+	students receiving state aid, regardless of whether a student is receiving 21
	3026	+	federal aid. 22
	3027	+	(2)(A) Costs that would not be included in the federal cost of 23
	3028	+	attendance shall not be included in the package for a student who receives 24
	3029	+	state aid. 25
	3030	+	(B) Exceptions to the normal federal cost of attendance 26
	3031	+	allowances as set forth in federal regulations may be included in the cost of 27
	3032	+	attendance calculations. 28
	3033	+	(C) Institutional work study is not included in cost of 29
	3034	+	attendance unless the institutional work study is need -based. 30
	3035	+	(3) A postsecondary institution shall not award state aid in a 31
	3036	+	student aid package in excess of the cost of attendance at the institution 32
	3037	+	where the student enrolls. 33
	3038	+	(2) For the purpose of stacking scholarships in a student's 34
	3039	+	student aid package, the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship under § 6 -35
	3040	+	85-201 et seq. shall be reduced or returned first. 36 SB246
	3041	+
	3042	+	81 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3043	+	(4) A two-year private postsecondary institution of higher 1
	3044	+	education shall not award state aid in a student aid package at a cost 2
	3045	+	greater than any two -year state-supported institution of higher education. 3
	3046	+	(5) A four-year private postsecondary institution of higher 4
	3047	+	education shall not award state aid in a student aid package at a cost 5
	3048	+	greater than any four -year state-supported institution of higher education. 6
	3049	+	(6) An institution of higher education shall award aid in the 7
	3050	+	following order: 8
	3051	+	(A) The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship; 9
	3052	+	(B) Any other state scholarship program, excluding the 10
	3053	+	Arkansas Future Grant Program, Arkansas Teacher Academy Scholarship Program, 11
	3054	+	and Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver Program; 12
	3055	+	(C) The Arkansas Future Grant Program, Arkansas Teacher 13
	3056	+	Academy Scholarship Program, or Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver 14
	3057	+	Program; and 15
	3058	+	(D) Institutional aid. 16
	3059	+	(c) A postsecondary institution shall report to the division , no later 17
	3060	+	than September 30 of each year, the total amount of federal aid, state aid, 18
	3061	+	and other aid a student receives if the student receives an award from a 19
	3062	+	division scholarship or grant program, including the Arkansas Academic 20
	3063	+	Challenge Scholarship under § 6 -85-201 et seq. 21
	3064	+	(d)(1) When a student receives a student aid package that includes 22
	3065	+	state aid and the student aid package exceeds the cost of attendance, the 23
	3066	+	postsecondary institution shall repay state aid in the amount exceeding the 24
	3067	+	cost of attendance, starting with state aid received under the Arkansas 25
	3068	+	Academic Challenge Scholarship under § 6 -85-201 et seq utilizing the stacking 26
	3069	+	order under subdivision (b)(6) of this section . 27
	3070	+	(2) The division shall credit the excess state aid funds to the 28
	3071	+	appropriate division fund or trust account. 29
	3072	+	(e) A student awarded state aid shall disclose all state aid, federal 30
	3073	+	aid, and other aid to: 31
	3074	+	(1) The division if the division awards state aid to the 32
	3075	+	student; and 33
	3076	+	(2) A postsecondary institution that awards state aid or other 34
	3077	+	aid to the student. 35
	3078	+	(f) Except as otherwise provided by federal law, federal aid will be 36 SB246
	3079	+
	3080	+	82 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3081	+	applied before state aid governed by this section. 1
	3082	+	2
	3083	+	SECTION 62. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 80, Subchapter 1, is 3
	3084	+	amended to add an additional section to read as follows: 4
	3085	+	6-80-110. Utilization of the Classic Learning Test. 5
	3086	+	(a) A state-supported institution of higher education shall accept the 6
	3087	+	Classic Learning Test (CLT) examination to the same extent the state -7
	3088	+	supported institution of higher education accepts the ACT test and the SAT 8
	3089	+	test. 9
	3090	+	(b)(1) Subsection (a) of this section shall apply to admissions 10
	3091	+	criteria and eligibility criteria for state -funded financial assistance 11
	3092	+	programs. 12
	3093	+	(2) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to 13
	3094	+	institutional assistance programs. 14
	3095	+	15
	3096	+	SECTION 63. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 80, is amended to add an 16
	3097	+	additional subchapter to read as follows: 17
	3098	+	Subchapter 2 — Residency Classification for Scholarships at State -Supported 18
	3099	+	Institutions of Higher Education 19
	3100	+	20
	3101	+	6-80-201. Title. 21
	3102	+	This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Residency 22
	3103	+	Classification for Scholarships at State -Supported Institutions of Higher 23
	3104	+	Education”. 24
	3105	+	25
	3106	+	6-80-202. Residency classification for tuition, fees, and scholarship 26
	3107	+	purposes. 27
	3108	+	(a)(1) In making decisions about the residency classification or 28
	3109	+	reclassification of a student for scholarship purposes, unless otherwise 29
	3110	+	specified by statute, a student shall be classified as an in -state resident 30
	3111	+	for scholarship purposes only if the student: 31
	3112	+	(A) Will graduate or has graduated from an Arkansas public 32
	3113	+	school, private school, or home school; or 33
	3114	+	(B) Established legal residency in Arkansas by being 34
	3115	+	physically present in Arkansas for at least six (6) continuous months with 35
	3116	+	the intent to remain. 36 SB246
	3117	+
	3118	+	83 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3119	+	(2) Mere physical presence in Arkansas is not sufficient to 1
	3120	+	establish residency or demonstrate future intent under subdivision (a)(1)(B) 2
	3121	+	of this section. 3
	3122	+	(3) A student who claims in -state residency for purposes of 4
	3123	+	scholarship eligibility but receives Free Application for Federal Student Aid 5
	3124	+	(FAFSA) verification that he or she is not an in -state resident shall have 6
	3125	+	his or her scholarship amount reduced or rescinded to reflect the change in 7
	3126	+	residency status. 8
	3127	+	(b) A member of the United States Armed Forces who is stationed in 9
	3128	+	Arkansas under military orders, along with his or her dependents, is entitled 10
	3129	+	to classification as an in -state resident. 11
	3130	+	12
	3131	+	6-80-203. Duties and responsibilities of students. 13
	3132	+	(a)(1) It is the responsibility of each student, at the time of 14
	3133	+	registration, to seek the proper residency classification for tuition, fees, 15
	3134	+	and scholarship purposes. 16
	3135	+	(2) A participating state -supported institution of higher 17
	3136	+	education shall have a process for a student to appeal a residency 18
	3137	+	classification. 19
	3138	+	(b)(1) A student who knowingly gives false information to establish 20
	3139	+	residency shall be subject to dismissal by the state -supported institution of 21
	3140	+	higher education. 22
	3141	+	(2) An initial classification as an out -of-state student shall 23
	3142	+	not limit the right of a student to be reclassified later as a resident of 24
	3143	+	Arkansas for tuition, fee, and scholarship purposes provided that the student 25
	3144	+	can establish proof of legal residence in Arkansas. 26
	3145	+	27
	3146	+	SECTION 64. Arkansas Code § 6-81-604(6), concerning the grade point 28
	3147	+	average required for grant recipients under the Teacher Opportunity Program, 29
	3148	+	is amended to read as follows: 30
	3149	+	(6) Grant recipients shall maintain a cumulative grade point 31
	3150	+	average in their college work of no less than 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or maintain 32
	3151	+	an appropriate equivalent as determined by the Division of Higher Education. 33
	3152	+	34
	3153	+	SECTION 65. Arkansas Code § 6 -81-605 is amended to read as follows: 35
	3154	+	6-81-605. Grants — Priority. 36 SB246
	3155	+
	3156	+	84 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3157	+	(a)(1) The first priority for the award of funds under the Teacher 1
	3158	+	Opportunity Program is the award of reimbursements for additional education 2
	3159	+	in: 3
	3160	+	(A) Science, technology, engineering, or mathematics 4
	3161	+	fields; 5
	3162	+	(B) Computer science; 6
	3163	+	(C) Literacy or reading; 7
	3164	+	(D) Prekindergarten education; or 8
	3165	+	(E) Special education. 9
	3166	+	(2) If funds are available after all awards are made under 10
	3167	+	subdivision (a)(1) of this section, then additional reimbursements awards may 11
	3168	+	be made in accordance with the following: 12
	3169	+	(A)(i) A teacher may receive an award if seeking dual 13
	3170	+	licensure in an additional subject area different from the subject area in 14
	3171	+	which the teacher is currently teaching, if he or she does not have a current 15
	3172	+	license for the additional subject area. 16
	3173	+	(ii) The amount of the award and the number of 17
	3174	+	recipients selected by the Division of Higher Education is contingent on the 18
	3175	+	appropriation and availability of funding for that purpose; 19
	3176	+	(B)(i) A student may receive reimbursements up to but not 20
	3177	+	in excess of the cost of his or her student fees, books, and instructional 21
	3178	+	supplies at the public institution of higher education in this state 22
	3179	+	assessing the highest rate of student fees an award that shall not exceed the 23
	3180	+	cost of tuition and fees required to complete six (6) semester credit hours 24
	3181	+	per academic year. 25
	3182	+	(ii) For purposes of award disbursement under 26
	3183	+	subdivision (a)(2)(B)(i) of this section, an academic year begins in the fall 27
	3184	+	semester and runs through the summer semester ; 28
	3185	+	(B) The reimbursements made to one (1) student within one 29
	3186	+	(1) fiscal year may not exceed the costs associated with six (6) semester 30
	3187	+	credit hours or the equivalent of six (6) semester credit hours; and 31
	3188	+	(C) All other requirements established by the Division of 32
	3189	+	Higher Education are met. 33
	3190	+	(b)(1) The Division of Higher Education shall determine priorities for 34
	3191	+	awarding reimbursements awards if there are more applicants than funds 35
	3192	+	available. 36 SB246
	3193	+
	3194	+	85 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3195	+	(2) Priorities shall be determined in coordination with the 1
	3196	+	Division of Elementary and Secondary Education and shall be based on the 2
	3197	+	needs of the state. 3
2608	3198		4
2609		-	SECTION 51. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-202(a), concerning powers and duties 5
2610		-	of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, is amended to add 6
2611		-	additional subdivisions to read as follows: 7
2612		-	(8) Perform all other functions that may now or hereafter be 8
2613		-	delegated to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board by law; and 9
2614		-	(9) Promulgate rules to perform all duties and obligations to 10
2615		-	implement this subchapter. 11
2616		-	12
2617		-	SECTION 52. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-231(b)(1), concerning the purpose of 13
2618		-	the statewide transfer agreement, is amended to read as follows: 14
2619		-	(b)(1) The purpose of this section is to eliminate obstacles to 15
2620		-	transfers of credits among public state-supported institutions of higher 16
2621		-	education in Arkansas by providing a seamless transfer of academic credits 17
2622		-	from a completed designated transfer degree program or a completed state 18
2623		-	minimum core curriculum to a baccalaureate degree program without the loss of 19
2624		-	earned credits and without the receiving public state-supported institution 20
2625		-	of higher education requiring additional lower -division general education 21
2626		-	credits. 22
2627		-	23
2628		-	SECTION 53. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-231(c), concerning the statewide 24
2629		-	transfer agreement developed by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating 25
2630		-	Board, is amended to add an additional subdivision read as follows: 26
2631		-	(6)(A) Provides for a reverse transfer agreement for a student 27
2632		-	seeking an associate degree that transfers to a four -year state-supported 28
2633		-	institution of higher education before earning an associate degree. 29
2634		-	(B)(i) Except as provided in subsection (c)(6)(B)(ii), a 30
2635		-	student shall be awarded an associate degree by the two -year state-supported 31
2636		-	institution of higher education upon completing the degree requirements at 32
2637		-	the four-year state-supported institution of higher education if the student 33
2638		-	earned more than thirty (30) credit hours toward the associate degree at the 34
2639		-	two-year state-supported institution of higher education. 35
2640		-	(ii) A student eligible to receive an associate 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2641		-
2642		-	67 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2643		-
2644		-
2645		-	degree under subdivision (c)(6)(B)(i) of this section shall be: 1
2646		-	(a) Notified in writing by the state -supported 2
2647		-	institution of higher education awarding the associate degree that the 3
2648		-	student is eligible to receive an associate degree; 4
2649		-	(b) Provided an opportunity to decline the 5
2650		-	award of the associate degree; 6
2651		-	(c) Awarded the associate degree if the 7
2652		-	student takes no action within thirty (30) days of being provided notice 8
2653		-	under subdivision (c)(6)(B)(ii)(a) of this section; and 9
2654		-	(d) Awarded the associate degree by the four -10
2655		-	year state-supported institution of higher education if the student elects to 11
2656		-	be awarded the associate degree by the four -year state-supported institution 12
2657		-	of higher education upon completion of the degree requirements. 13
2658		-	(C)(i) Except as provided in subdivision (c)(6)(B)(ii)(d), 14
2659		-	a four-year state-supported institution of higher education shall: 15
2660		-	(a) Identify each student who has completed at 16
2661		-	least sixty (60) hours of academic credit and met the state core curriculum 17
2662		-	requirements; and 18
2663		-	(b) Forward a copy of the student's transcript 19
2664		-	to the two-year state-supported institution of higher education. 20
2665		-	(ii) If a student attended more than one (1) two -21
2666		-	year state-supported institution of higher education, the student's 22
2667		-	transcript shall be sent to the two -year state-supported institution of 23
2668		-	higher education that provided the largest number of credit hours. 24
2669		-	(iii) The two-year state-supported institution of 25
2670		-	higher education shall notify the four -year state-supported institution of 26
2671		-	higher education if the associate degree has been conferred. 27
2672		-	(iv) Upon notification, the four -year state-28
2673		-	supported institution of higher education is no longer required to forward 29
2674		-	subsequent transcripts of the student at the completion of each term. 30
2675		-	31
2676		-	SECTION 54. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-231(d)(2)(B), concerning the 32
2677		-	requirement of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board related to 33
2678		-	the statewide transfer agreement to identify postsecondary career education 34
2679		-	programs offered by two -year public institutions of higher education is 35
2680		-	amended to read as follows: 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2681		-
2682		-	68 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2683		-
2684		-
2685		-	(B) Postsecondary career and technical education programs 1
2686		-	offered by two-year public state-supported institutions of higher education, 2
2687		-	including those designated as college -credit courses applicable toward a 3
2688		-	certificate or degree; 4
2689		-	5
2690		-	SECTION 55. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-234 is amended to read as follows: 6
2691		-	6-61-234. Productivity-based funding model. 7
2692		-	(a)(1)(A) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt 8
2693		-	policies developed by the Division of Higher Education may promulgate rules 9
2694		-	necessary to implement a productivity -based funding model for state -supported 10
2695		-	institutions of higher education , including without limitation two -year and 11
2696		-	four-year state-supported institutions of higher education . 12
2697		-	(B) The board shall adopt separate policies for two -year 13
2698		-	institutions of higher education and four -year institutions of higher 14
2699		-	education. 15
2700		-	(2) The policies rules adopted to implement a productivity -based 16
2701		-	funding model for state -supported institutions of higher education shall 17
2702		-	contain measures for effectiveness, affordability, and efficiency that 18
2703		-	acknowledge the following priorities: 19
2704		-	(A) Differences in institutional missions; 20
2705		-	(B) Completion of students' educational goals; 21
2706		-	(C) Progression toward students' completion of programs of 22
2707		-	study; 23
2708		-	(D) Affordability through: 24
2709		-	(i) On-time completion of programs of study; 25
2710		-	(ii) Limiting the number of excess credits earned by 26
2711		-	students; and 27
2712		-	(iii) Efficient allocation of resources; 28
2713		-	(E)(i) Beginning in the 2026 -2027 academic year, 29
2714		-	incorporation of a return on investment metric into the productivity -based 30
2715		-	funding model. 31
2716		-	(ii) The return on investment metric under 32
2717		-	subdivision (a)(2)(E)(i) of this section shall be defined by rule of the 33
2718		-	Division of Higher Education. 34
2719		-	(iii) The Division of Higher Education shall ensure 35
2720		-	that the return on investment metric required under subdivision (a)(2)(E)(i) 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2721		-
2722		-	69 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2723		-
2724		-
2725		-	of this section is aligned with state economic and workforce needs; 1
2726		-	(E)(F) Institutional collaboration that encourages the 2
2727		-	successful transfer of students; 3
2728		-	(F)(G) Success in serving underrepresented students; and 4
2729		-	(G)(H) Production of students graduating with credentials 5
2730		-	in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and high -demand fields that 6
2731		-	align with statewide and regional workforce needs . 7
2732		-	(3)(A) The Division of Higher Education may promulgate rules to 8
2733		-	implement a funding formula to support noncredit programs at a state -9
2734		-	supported institution of higher education. 10
2735		-	(B) Funding for a noncredit program may come from the 11
2736		-	following: 12
2737		-	(i) General revenues authorized by law; and 13
2738		-	(ii) Any other funds as provided by law . 14
2739		-	(C) The Division of Higher Education shall consult with 15
2740		-	the Governor's Workforce Cabinet during development of the funding formula 16
2741		-	for the noncredit programs under subdivision (a)(3)(A) of this section. 17
2742		-	(3)(4) The productivity-based funding model shall not determine 18
2743		-	the funding needs of special units such as a medical school, a division of 19
2744		-	agriculture, or system offices. 20
2745		-	(b) The productivity -based funding model shall be: 21
2746		-	(1) Used to align institutional funding with statewide 22
2747		-	priorities for higher education by: 23
2748		-	(A) Encouraging programs and services focused on student 24
2749		-	success; and 25
2750		-	(B) Providing incentives for progress toward statewide 26
2751		-	goals; and 27
2752		-	(2) Built around a set of shared principles that: 28
2753		-	(A) Are embraced by state -supported institutions of higher 29
2754		-	education; 30
2755		-	(B) Employ appropriate productivity metrics; and 31
2756		-	(C) Are aligned with goals and objectives for 32
2757		-	postsecondary education attainment in this state. 33
2758		-	(c)(1) The board Division of Higher Education shall use the 34
2759		-	productivity-based funding model as the mechanism for recommending funding 35
2760		-	for state-supported institutions of higher education. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2761		-
2762		-	70 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2763		-
2764		-
2765		-	(2) The board Division of Higher Education shall recommend 1
2766		-	funding for: 2
2767		-	(A) State-supported institutions of higher education as a 3
2768		-	whole; and 4
2769		-	(B) The allocation of funding to each state -supported 5
2770		-	institution of higher education. 6
2771		-	(3) The board Division of Higher Education shall may make 7
2772		-	separate recommendations for : 8
2773		-	(A) two-year Two-year state-supported institutions of 9
2774		-	higher education; and 10
2775		-	(B) four-year Four-year state-supported institutions of 11
2776		-	higher education. 12
2777		-	(d) Funds unallocated to state -supported institutions of higher 13
2778		-	education due to productivity declines shall be reserved by the division 14
2779		-	Division of Higher Education to address statewide needs in higher education. 15
2780		-	(e) The division Division of Higher Education shall review the 16
2781		-	policies every five (5) years to ensure the productivity -based funding model 17
2782		-	continues to respond to the needs and priorities of the state. 18
2783		-	(f) In any fiscal year for which the aggregate general revenue funding 19
2784		-	forecast to be available for state -supported institutions of higher education 20
2785		-	is greater than two percent (2%) less than the amount provided for the 21
2786		-	immediate previous fiscal year, the division shall not further implement the 22
2787		-	productivity-based funding model until the following fiscal year. 23
2788		-	24
2789		-	SECTION 56. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-1010, concerning authority of the 25
2790		-	Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board under the Technical College and 26
2791		-	Community College Capital Improvement Act of 1993, is amended to add an 27
2792		-	additional subsection to read as follows: 28
2793		-	(f) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board may promulgate 29
2794		-	rules to implement this subchapter. 30
2795		-	31
2796		-	SECTION 57. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-1402 is amended to read as follows: 32
2797		-	6-61-1402. Courses included in common course numbering system. 33
2798		-	(a)(1) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in 34
2799		-	collaboration with all state -supported institutions of higher education, 35
2800		-	shall develop and approve a statewide common course numbering system for 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2801		-
2802		-	71 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2803		-
2804		-
2805		-	lower-division general education courses found within the Arkansas Course 1
2806		-	Transfer System. 2
2807		-	(2)(b) A state-supported institution of higher education that is 3
2808		-	not in full compliance with this subchapter shall not be eligible to accept 4
2809		-	state aid from the Higher Education Grants Fund Account on behalf of a 5
2810		-	student. 6
2811		-	(b)(1) A course designated as an upper -division course level may be 7
2812		-	offered by any four-year state-supported institution of higher education and 8
2813		-	shall be characterized by a need for advanced academic preparation and skills 9
2814		-	that a student would be unlikely to achieve without significant prior 10
2815		-	coursework. 11
2816		-	(2) Upper-division courses are not required to be included in 12
2817		-	the common course numbering system. 13
2818		-	(c) A course designated as a lower -division course level may be 14
2819		-	offered by any state -supported institution of higher education. 15
2820		-	(d) The common course numbering system shall include the thirty -five-16
2821		-	hour general education core and major program prerequisites that are included 17
2822		-	in the state minimum core curriculum under § 6 -61-231. 18
2823		-	19
2824		-	SECTION 58. Arkansas Code § 6-61-1403 is amended to read as follows: 20
2825		-	6-61-1403. Additions or alterations. 21
2826		-	(a) The Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education shall 22
2827		-	recommend to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board any additions 23
2828		-	or alterations to the common course numbering system. 24
2829		-	(b) The board, with input from the Presidents Council, shall consider 25
2830		-	the recommended additions and alterations to the common course numbering 26
2831		-	system. 27
2832		-	(c) The board may adopt or refuse to adopt suggested additions or 28
2833		-	alterations to the common course numbering system. 29
2834		-	Beginning with the 2026 -2027 academic year, the Division of Higher 30
2835		-	Education, in collaboration with the Division of Elementary and Secondary 31
2836		-	Education, shall: 32
2837		-	(1) Make recommendations for additions and alterations to the 33
2838		-	common course numbering system; and 34
2839		-	(2) Review the common course numbering system to begin aligning 35
2840		-	elementary and secondary courses. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2841		-
2842		-	72 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2843		-
2844		-
2845		-	1
2846		-	SECTION 59. Arkansas Code § 6 -61-1406 is amended to read as follows: 2
2847		-	6-61-1406. Courses review. 3
2848		-	(a) The Division of Higher Education , in consultation with the 4
2849		-	Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, shall: 5
2850		-	(1) Regularly schedule reviews of courses that are listed in the 6
2851		-	common course numbering system; and 7
2852		-	(2) Establish review procedures; and 8
2853		-	(3) Adopt policies to carry out this section . 9
2854		-	(b) The Division of Higher Education, in collaboration with the 10
2855		-	Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, may promulgate rules to 11
2856		-	implement this subchapter. 12
2857		-	13
2858		-	SECTION 60. Arkansas Code § 6 -63-104 is amended to read as follows: 14
2859		-	6-63-104. Faculty performance review. 15
2860		-	(a)(1) The president and chancellor of each state -supported 16
2861		-	institution of higher education in Arkansas shall work with the campus 17
2862		-	faculties to develop a framework to review faculty performance, including 18
2863		-	post-tenure review. 19
2864		-	(2)(A) The framework should be used to develop processes and 20
2865		-	procedures at each state-supported institution to ensure a consistently high 21
2866		-	level of performance of the faculty at Arkansas's publicly supported 22
2867		-	institutions a state-supported institution of higher education. 23
2868		-	(B) The effects of the review process of faculty 24
2869		-	performance should include rewarding productive faculty, redirecting faculty 25
2870		-	efforts to improve or to increase productivity, and correcting instances of 26
2871		-	substandard performance. 27
2872		-	(C) The framework developed by each state-supported 28
2873		-	institution shall be reported to the House Committee on Education, the Senate 29
2874		-	Committee on Education, the Joint Interim Oversight Committee on Education 30
2875		-	Reform, and the Division of Higher Education no later than December 1, 1998 31
2876		-	2025, and shall be implemented on the respective campuses no later than 32
2877		-	January 1, 2001 2026. 33
2878		-	(b)(1) Pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, each state -34
2879		-	supported institution of higher education in Arkansas shall conduct a 35
2880		-	rigorous, consistently applied, annual review of the performance of all full -36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2881		-
2882		-	73 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2883		-
2884		-
2885		-	time faculty members. 1
2886		-	(2) This review shall include assessments by peers, students, 2
2887		-	and administrators and shall be utilized to ensure a consistently high level 3
2888		-	of performance and serve in conjunction with other appropriate information as 4
2889		-	a basis for decisions on promotion, salary increases, and job tenure. The 5
2890		-	evaluation by students and administrative staff, shall be applicable to all 6
2891		-	teaching faculty, full -time, part-time, and graduate teaching assistants and 7
2892		-	shall include an assessment of the fluency in English of the faculty member 8
2893		-	or graduate teaching assistant. This review shall not be used to demote a 9
2894		-	tenured faculty member to a nontenured status. 10
2895		-	(3) The review process may result in the following corrective 11
2896		-	actions: 12
2897		-	(A) Remedial training; 13
2898		-	(B) Removal of tenure status; or 14
2899		-	(C) Any other action permitted by the state -supported 15
2900		-	institution of higher education’s review policy. 16
2901		-	(4)(A) A state-supported institution of higher education may 17
2902		-	require an immediate for cause review of a faculty member as described in 18
2903		-	subsection (f) of this section. 19
2904		-	(B) A tenured faculty member may appeal a state-supported 20
2905		-	institution of higher education’s performance review decision in accordance 21
2906		-	with the provisions set by the state -supported institution of higher 22
2907		-	education in its faculty performance review framework. 23
2908		-	(C) A state-supported institution of higher education 24
2909		-	shall provide a tenured faculty member with appropriate due process. 25
2910		-	(c)(1) Each college and university state-supported institution of 26
2911		-	higher education shall continually make efforts to identify any English 27
2912		-	fluency deficiencies of the teaching faculty and shall take reasonable 28
2913		-	measures to assist deficient faculty members in becoming proficient in 29
2914		-	English; however, the responsibility of acquiring the level of English 30
2915		-	proficiency required for the faculty member's teaching, research, or service 31
2916		-	assignments rests with the faculty member. 32
2917		-	(2) Each college and university state-supported institution of 33
2918		-	higher education shall have a process for addressing concerns raised by 34
2919		-	students concerning language proficiency problems of faculty members. 35
2920		-	(d)(1) The division A state-supported institution of higher education 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2921		-
2922		-	74 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2923		-
2924		-
2925		-	shall be responsible for monitoring the evaluation performance review process 1
2926		-	and shall report its findings to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating 2
2927		-	Board and to the Legislative Council by August 1 of each year of all faculty 3
2928		-	members. 4
2929		-	(2) The state-supported institution of higher education shall 5
2930		-	report by August 1 each year to its governing board the number of: 6
2931		-	(A) Tenure track positions; 7
2932		-	(B) Faculty members with current tenure status; 8
2933		-	(C) Faculty members that initially received tenure status; 9
2934		-	(D) Faculty members with tenure status in which tenure was 10
2935		-	reviewed that year; and 11
2936		-	(E) Faculty members whose tenure status was: 12
2937		-	(i) Maintained; 13
2938		-	(ii) Conditionally maintained; and 14
2939		-	(iii) Revoked. 15
2940		-	(3) A copy of the report under subdivision (d)(2) of this 16
2941		-	section shall be provided to the division and the Legislative Council. 17
2942		-	(e) Each state-supported institution of higher education shall require 18
2943		-	full-time faculty members of the college of education and related disciplines 19
2944		-	to work collaboratively with the accredited public schools in this state, and 20
2945		-	such faculty involvement shall be included as part of the annual review of 21
2946		-	the faculty as required by subsection (b) of this section. 22
2947		-	(f) A state-supported institution of higher education may require an 23
2948		-	immediate review of a faculty member, including a faculty member with tenure, 24
2949		-	at any time if the state -supported institution of higher education determines 25
2950		-	that the faculty member has: 26
2951		-	(1) Exhibited professional incompetence in the performance of 27
2952		-	his or her mandatory job duties; 28
2953		-	(2) Continually or repeatedly failed to perform duties or meet 29
2954		-	professional responsibilities of the faculty member's position; 30
2955		-	(3) Failed to successfully complete any post -tenure review 31
2956		-	professional development program; 32
2957		-	(4) Violated laws or policies of a university system or a state -33
2958		-	supported institution of higher education that are substantially related to 34
2959		-	the performance of the faculty member's duties; 35
2960		-	(5) Been convicted of a crime affecting the fitness of the 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
2961		-
2962		-	75 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
2963		-
2964		-
2965		-	faculty member to engage in teaching, research, service, outreach, or 1
2966		-	administration; 2
2967		-	(6) Engaged in unprofessional conduct that adversely affects the 3
2968		-	state-supported institution of higher education or the faculty member's 4
2969		-	performance of duties or meeting of responsibilities; 5
2970		-	(7) Falsified the faculty member's academic credentials; or 6
2971		-	(8) Met any other for cause justification as defined in the 7
2972		-	state-supported institution of higher education's review policy. 8
2973		-	(g) This section shall not affect the ability of a state -supported 9
2974		-	institution of higher education to terminate or take other action against a 10
2975		-	nontenured or at-will faculty member in accordance with the policies of the 11
2976		-	state-supported institution of higher education . 12
2977		-	13
2978		-	SECTION 61. Arkansas Code § 6 -80-105 is amended to read as follows: 14
2979		-	6-80-105. Student financial aid — Scholarship stacking — Definitions. 15
2980		-	(a) As used in this section: 16
2981		-	(1) “Cost of attendance” means the recognized cost of attendance 17
2982		-	of an institution of higher education calculated under rules established by 18
2983		-	the Division of Higher Education amount reported as the cost of attendance by 19
2984		-	an institution of higher education to the Division of Higher Education 20
2985		-	through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; 21
2986		-	(2) “Federal aid” means scholarships or grants awarded to a 22
2987		-	student as a result of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, 23
2988		-	excluding the Pell Grant; 24
2989		-	(3) “Other aid” means a scholarship, grant, waiver, or 25
2990		-	reimbursement for tuition, fees, books, or other cost of attendance, other 26
2991		-	than federal aid or state aid, provided to a student from a postsecondary 27
2992		-	institution or a private source; 28
2993		-	(4) “State aid” means scholarships or grants awarded to a 29
2994		-	student from public funds, including without limitation the Arkansas Academic 30
2995		-	Challenge Scholarship under § 6 -85-201 et seq., the Division of Higher 31
2996		-	Education division's scholarship and grant programs, state general revenues, 32
2997		-	tuition, and local tax revenue; and 33
2998		-	(5)(A) “Student aid package” means federal aid, state aid, and 34
2999		-	other aid a student receives for postsecondary education expenses. 35
3000		-	(B) “Student aid package” does not include federal aid, 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3001		-
3002		-	76 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3003		-
3004		-
3005		-	state aid, or other aid received by a student who is: 1
3006		-	(i) An active member of the United States Armed 2
3007		-	Forces; 3
3008		-	(ii) An active member of the National Guard; 4
3009		-	(iii) A member of the reserve components of the 5
3010		-	armed forces; or 6
3011		-	(iv) The spouse of a person under subdivision 7
3012		-	(a)(5)(B)(i), subdivision (a)(5)(B)(ii), or subdivision (a)(5)(B)(iii) of 8
3013		-	this section. 9
3014		-	(b)(1) The federal cost of attendance method shall be used for all 10
3015		-	students receiving state aid, regardless of whether a student is receiving 11
3016		-	federal aid. 12
3017		-	(2)(A) Costs that would not be included in the federal cost of 13
3018		-	attendance shall not be included in the package for a student who receives 14
3019		-	state aid. 15
3020		-	(B) Exceptions to the normal federal cost of attendance 16
3021		-	allowances as set forth in federal regulations may be included in the cost of 17
3022		-	attendance calculations. 18
3023		-	(C) Institutional work study is not included in cost of 19
3024		-	attendance unless the institutional work study is need -based. 20
3025		-	(3) A postsecondary institution shall not award state aid in a 21
3026		-	student aid package in excess of the cost of attendance at the institution 22
3027		-	where the student enrolls. 23
3028		-	(2) For the purpose of stacking scholarships in a student's 24
3029		-	student aid package, the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship under § 6 -25
3030		-	85-201 et seq. shall be reduced or returned first. 26
3031		-	(4) A two-year private postsecondary institution of higher 27
3032		-	education shall not award state aid in a student aid package at a cost 28
3033		-	greater than any two -year state-supported institution of higher education. 29
3034		-	(5) A four-year private postsecondary institution of higher 30
3035		-	education shall not award state aid in a student aid package at a cost 31
3036		-	greater than any four -year state-supported institution of higher education. 32
3037		-	(6) An institution of higher education shall award aid in the 33
3038		-	following order: 34
3039		-	(A) The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship; 35
3040		-	(B) Any other state scholarship program, excluding the 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3041		-
3042		-	77 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3043		-
3044		-
3045		-	Arkansas Future Grant Program, Arkansas Teacher Academy Scholarship Program, 1
3046		-	and Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver Program; 2
3047		-	(C) The Arkansas Future Grant Program, Arkansas Teacher 3
3048		-	Academy Scholarship Program, or Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver 4
3049		-	Program; and 5
3050		-	(D) Institutional aid. 6
3051		-	(c) A postsecondary institution shall report to the division , no later 7
3052		-	than September 30 of each year, the total amount of federal aid, state aid, 8
3053		-	and other aid a student receives if the student receives an award from a 9
3054		-	division scholarship or grant program, including the Arkansas Academic 10
3055		-	Challenge Scholarship under § 6 -85-201 et seq. 11
3056		-	(d)(1) When a student receives a student aid package that includes 12
3057		-	state aid and the student aid package exceeds the cost of attendance, the 13
3058		-	postsecondary institution shall repay state aid in the amount exceeding the 14
3059		-	cost of attendance, starting with state aid received under the Arkansas 15
3060		-	Academic Challenge Scholarship under § 6 -85-201 et seq utilizing the stacking 16
3061		-	order under subdivision (b)(6) of this section . 17
3062		-	(2) The division shall credit the excess state aid funds to the 18
3063		-	appropriate division fund or trust account. 19
3064		-	(e) A student awarded state aid shall disclose all state aid, federal 20
3065		-	aid, and other aid to: 21
3066		-	(1) The division if the division awards state aid to the 22
3067		-	student; and 23
3068		-	(2) A postsecondary institution that awards state aid or other 24
3069		-	aid to the student. 25
3070		-	(f) Except as otherwise provided by federal law, federal aid will be 26
3071		-	applied before state aid governed by this section. 27
3072		-	28
3073		-	SECTION 62. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 80, Subchapter 1, is 29
3074		-	amended to add an additional section to read as follows: 30
3075		-	6-80-110. Utilization of the Classic Learning Test. 31
3076		-	(a) A state-supported institution of higher education shall accept the 32
3077		-	Classic Learning Test (CLT) examination to the same extent the state -33
3078		-	supported institution of higher education accepts the ACT test and the SAT 34
3079		-	test. 35
3080		-	(b)(1) Subsection (a) of this section shall apply to admissions 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3081		-
3082		-	78 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3083		-
3084		-
3085		-	criteria and eligibility criteria for state -funded financial assistance 1
3086		-	programs. 2
3087		-	(2) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to 3
3088		-	institutional assistance programs. 4
3089		-	5
3090		-	SECTION 63. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 80, is amended to add an 6
3091		-	additional subchapter to read as follows: 7
3092		-	Subchapter 2 — Residency Classification for State-funded Scholarships at 8
3093		-	State-Supported Institutions of Higher Education 9
	3199	+	SECTION 66. Arkansas Code § 6 -81-607(3), concerning the definition of 5
	3200	+	"student" under the Teacher Opportunity Program, is amended to add an 6
	3201	+	additional subdivision to read as follows: 7
	3202	+	(F) Any other subject matter as determined by the 8
	3203	+	division. 9
3094	3204		10
3095		-	6-80-201. Title. 11
3096		-	This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Residency 12
3097		-	Classification for State-funded Scholarships at State-Supported Institutions 13
3098		-	of Higher Education”. 14
3099		-	15
3100		-	6-80-202. Residency classification for state -funded scholarships 16
3101		-	administered by Division of Higher Education. 17
3102		-	(a)(1) In making decisions about the residency classification or 18
3103		-	reclassification of a student for state-funded scholarship purposes, unless 19
3104		-	otherwise specified by statute, a student shall be classified as an in -state 20
3105		-	resident for state-funded scholarship purposes only if the student: 21
3106		-	(A) Will graduate or has graduated from an Arkansas public 22
3107		-	school, private school, or home school within nine (9) months of enrolling in 23
3108		-	the state-supported institution of higher education; or 24
3109		-	(B) Established legal residency in Arkansas by: 25
3110		-	(i) Meeting the requirements of rules promulgated by the 26
3111		-	Division of Higher Education; and 27
3112		-	(ii) Being physically present in Arkansas for at least six 28
3113		-	(6) continuous months with the intent to remain in Arkansas . 29
3114		-	(2) Mere physical presence in Arkansas is not sufficient to 30
3115		-	establish residency or demonstrate future intent under subdivision (a)(1)(B) 31
3116		-	of this section. 32
3117		-	(3) A student who claims in -state residency for purposes of 33
3118		-	state-funded scholarship eligibility but receives Free Application for 34
3119		-	Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) verification that he or she is not an in -state 35
3120		-	resident shall have his or her state-funded scholarship amount reduced or 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3121		-
3122		-	79 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3123		-
3124		-
3125		-	rescinded to reflect the change in residency status. 1
3126		-	(b) A member of the United States Armed Forces who is stationed in 2
3127		-	Arkansas under military orders, along with his or her dependents, is entitled 3
3128		-	to classification as an in -state resident for state-funded scholarship 4
3129		-	purposes. 5
	3205	+	SECTION 67. Arkansas Code §§ 6 -81-608 and 6-81-609 are repealed. 11
	3206	+	6-81-608. Dual Licensure Incentive Program. 12
	3207	+	(a) There is created the Dual Licensure Incentive Program to encourage 13
	3208	+	classroom teachers currently employed by school districts in the state to 14
	3209	+	return to college to obtain licensure in one (1) or more additional subject 15
	3210	+	areas. 16
	3211	+	(b) The program shall be administered by the Division of Higher 17
	3212	+	Education. 18
	3213	+	(c)(1) A classroom teacher returning to college as a student may 19
	3214	+	receive a reimbursement not to exceed the cost of student fees, books, and 20
	3215	+	instructional supplies. 21
	3216	+	(2) The student fee reimbursement amount shall be based on the 22
	3217	+	student fees of the state -supported institution of higher education that 23
	3218	+	assesses the highest rate of student fees in this state. 24
	3219	+	(d) The reimbursement made to a classroom teacher returning to college 25
	3220	+	as a student in one (1) fiscal year may not exceed the cost associated with 26
	3221	+	six (6) semester credit hours or the equivalent of six (6) semester credit 27
	3222	+	hours. 28
	3223	+	29
	3224	+	6-81-609. Dual licensure funding. 30
	3225	+	(a)(1)(A) A classroom teacher employed by a school district in the 31
	3226	+	state may receive a reimbursement from the Dual Licensure Incentive Program 32
	3227	+	if the classroom teacher returns to an approved institution of higher 33
	3228	+	education to obtain licensure in an additional subject area: 34
	3229	+	(i) Declared to be a shortage area by the Division 35
	3230	+	of Elementary and Secondary Education; 36 SB246
	3231	+
	3232	+	86 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3233	+	(ii) That the classroom teacher is currently teaching 1
	3234	+	but for which he or she does not have a licensure; or 2
	3235	+	(iii) And grade level in which the school district 3
	3236	+	has requested a waiver under § 6 -17-309. 4
	3237	+	(B)(i) A reimbursement from the Dual Licensure Incentive 5
	3238	+	Program shall include funding for the cost of tuition, books, and fees not to 6
	3239	+	exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000) each college year. 7
	3240	+	(ii) The amount of the reimbursement and the number 8
	3241	+	of reimbursement recipients selected by the Division of Higher Education is 9
	3242	+	contingent on the appropriation and availability of funding for such a 10
	3243	+	purpose. 11
	3244	+	(2) To be eligible for a reimbursement under the Dual Licensure 12
	3245	+	Incentive Program, the person shall be: 13
	3246	+	(A) Employed as a classroom teacher for no less than three 14
	3247	+	(3) years of teaching immediately preceding the application; and 15
	3248	+	(B) Accepted for enrollment in a classroom teacher 16
	3249	+	education program that will lead to a licensure to teach in a subject area 17
	3250	+	that: 18
	3251	+	(i) Is different from the classroom teacher's 19
	3252	+	current area of licensure; and 20
	3253	+	(ii) Either: 21
	3254	+	(a) Has been identified as a subject area with 22
	3255	+	a shortage of classroom teachers as declared by the Division of Elementary 23
	3256	+	and Secondary Education; or 24
	3257	+	(b) Is in the grade level and subject matter 25
	3258	+	area for which the school district has requested a waiver under § 6 -17-309. 26
	3259	+	(b)(1) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall 27
	3260	+	promulgate rules as necessary to implement the Dual Licensure Incentive 28
	3261	+	Program. 29
	3262	+	(2) The number of classroom teacher participants each year shall 30
	3263	+	be determined by the amount of funding available for the Dual Licensure 31
	3264	+	Incentive Program and the limitations set under this section. 32
	3265	+	33
	3266	+	SECTION 68. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-108(e), concerning funding of the 34
	3267	+	Academic Support Scholarship with certain remaining funds, is amended to read 35
	3268	+	as follows: 36 SB246
	3269	+
	3270	+	87 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3271	+	(e) A scholarship under this section shall be funded with any funds 1
	3272	+	remaining after the division allocates sufficient funding to award Arkansas 2
	3273	+	Academic Challenge Scholarships under § 6 -85-201 et seq., and Arkansas 3
	3274	+	Workforce Challenge Scholarships under § 6 -85-301 et seq., and Arkansas 4
	3275	+	Concurrent Challenge Scholarships under § 6 -85-401 et seq. 5
3130	3276		6
3131		-	6-80-203. Duties and responsibilities of students. 7
3132		-	(a)(1) It is the responsibility of each student, at the time of 8
3133		-	registration, to seek the proper residency classification for state-funded 9
3134		-	scholarship purposes. 10
3135		-	(2) A participating state -supported institution of higher 11
3136		-	education shall have a process for a student to appeal a residency 12
3137		-	classification for state -funded scholarship purposes 13
3138		-	(b)(1) A student who knowingly gives false information to establish 14
3139		-	residency classification for state -funded scholarship purposes shall be 15
3140		-	subject to dismissal by the state -supported institution of higher education. 16
3141		-	(2) An initial classification as an out -of-state student shall 17
3142		-	not limit the right of a student to be reclassified later as a resident of 18
3143		-	Arkansas for state-funded scholarship purposes provided that the student can 19
3144		-	establish proof of legal residence in Arkansas. 20
3145		-	21
3146		-	SECTION 64. Arkansas Code § 6 -81-604(6), concerning the grade point 22
3147		-	average required for grant recipients under the Teacher Opportunity Program, 23
3148		-	is amended to read as follows: 24
3149		-	(6) Grant recipients shall maintain a cumulative grade point 25
3150		-	average in their college work of no less than 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or maintain 26
3151		-	an appropriate equivalent as determined by the Division of Higher Education. 27
3152		-	28
3153		-	SECTION 65. Arkansas Code § 6 -81-605 is amended to read as follows: 29
3154		-	6-81-605. Grants — Priority. 30
3155		-	(a)(1) The first priority for the award of funds under the Teacher 31
3156		-	Opportunity Program is the award of reimbursements for additional education 32
3157		-	in: 33
3158		-	(A) Science, technology, engineering, or mathematics 34
3159		-	fields; 35
3160		-	(B) Computer science; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3161		-
3162		-	80 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3163		-
3164		-
3165		-	(C) Literacy or reading; 1
3166		-	(D) Prekindergarten education; or 2
3167		-	(E) Special education. 3
3168		-	(2) If funds are available after all awards are made under 4
3169		-	subdivision (a)(1) of this section, then additional reimbursements awards may 5
3170		-	be made in accordance with the following: 6
3171		-	(A)(i) A teacher may receive an award if seeking dual 7
3172		-	licensure in an additional subject area different from the subject area in 8
3173		-	which the teacher is currently teaching, if he or she does not have a current 9
3174		-	license for the additional subject area. 10
3175		-	(ii) The amount of the award and the number of 11
3176		-	recipients selected by the Division of Higher Education is contingent on the 12
3177		-	appropriation and availability of funding for that purpose; 13
3178		-	(B)(i) A student may receive reimbursements up to but not 14
3179		-	in excess of the cost of his or her student fees, books, and instructional 15
3180		-	supplies at the public institution of higher education in this state 16
3181		-	assessing the highest rate of student fees an award that shall not exceed the 17
3182		-	cost of tuition and fees required to complete six (6) semester credit hours 18
3183		-	per academic year. 19
3184		-	(ii) For purposes of award disbursement under 20
3185		-	subdivision (a)(2)(B)(i) of this section, an academic year begins in the fall 21
3186		-	semester and runs through the summer semester ; 22
3187		-	(B) The reimbursements made to one (1) student within one 23
3188		-	(1) fiscal year may not exceed the costs associated with six (6) semester 24
3189		-	credit hours or the equivalent of six (6) semester credit hours; and 25
3190		-	(C) All other requirements established by the Division of 26
3191		-	Higher Education are met. 27
3192		-	(b)(1) The Division of Higher Education shall determine priorities for 28
3193		-	awarding reimbursements awards if there are more applicants than funds 29
3194		-	available. 30
3195		-	(2) Priorities shall be determined in coordination with the 31
3196		-	Division of Elementary and Secondary Education and shall be based on the 32
3197		-	needs of the state. 33
	3277	+	SECTION 69. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-302 is amended to read as follows: 7
	3278	+	6-82-302. Definitions. 8
	3279	+	As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 9
	3280	+	(1) “Academic ability” means the intellectual standing of a 10
	3281	+	student. In determining superior academic ability, the Division of Higher 11
	3282	+	Education shall examine the student's high school records, competitive 12
	3283	+	examination scores, and demonstrated leadership capabilities; 13
	3284	+	(2) “Approved institution” means a public state-supported 14
	3285	+	institution of higher education or private college or university: 15
	3286	+	(A) Which is dedicated to educational purposes, located in 16
	3287	+	Arkansas, or located out of state and educating Arkansas residents in 17
	3288	+	dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, podiatry, chiropractic, or 18
	3289	+	osteopathy under agreement with the Southern Regional Education Board, 19
	3290	+	accredited by an accrediting agency certified and recognized by the United 20
	3291	+	States Department of Education or the Division of Agency Evaluation and 21
	3292	+	Institutional Accreditation, or a school giving satisfactory assurance that 22
	3293	+	it has the potential for accreditation and is making progress which, if 23
	3294	+	continued, will result in its achieving accreditation professional programs 24
	3295	+	not offered in the state under the Arkansas Health Education Grant Program ; 25
	3296	+	(B) Which does not discriminate in the admission of 26
	3297	+	students on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; and 27
	3298	+	(C) Which subscribes to the principle of academic freedom; 28
	3299	+	(3) “Competitive examination” means a standardized examination 29
	3300	+	measuring achievement which is administered annually on a specified date and 30
	3301	+	at a specified location and which is announced publicly; 31
	3302	+	(4) “Eligible student” means a resident of the State of Arkansas 32
	3303	+	as defined by the Division of Higher Education who: 33
	3304	+	(A) Is eligible for admission as a full -time student; 34
	3305	+	(B) Declares an intent to matriculate in an approved 35
	3306	+	institution in Arkansas; and 36 SB246
	3307	+
	3308	+	88 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3309	+	(C) Graduates from: 1
	3310	+	(i) A a high school in this state , for Arkansas 2
	3311	+	Governor's Scholars; or 3
	3312	+	(ii) A high school, for Arkansas Governor's 4
	3313	+	Distinguished Scholars ; 5
	3314	+	(5) "Exemplary academic achievement" means a student that 6
	3315	+	achieves exemplary performance, as determined by the division, based on one 7
	3316	+	(1) or more of the following: 8
	3317	+	(A) SAT, CLT, or ACT; 9
	3318	+	(B) High school grade point average; 10
	3319	+	(C) High school rank upon graduation; 11
	3320	+	(D) Associate degree upon graduation from high school; and 12
	3321	+	(E) Being a recipient of a diploma of distinction; 13
	3322	+	(5)(A)(6)(A) “Extraordinary academic ability” means: 14
	3323	+	(i) Achievement of a superscore, as defined by § 6 -15
	3324	+	85-204, of 32 or above on the ACT or a score of 1410 or above on the SAT; and 16
	3325	+	(ii) Either: 17
	3326	+	(a) For students graduating from high school 18
	3327	+	after December 31, 2001, A student graduating from high school with an 19
	3328	+	achievement of a high school grade point average of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 20
	3329	+	scale; or 21
	3330	+	(b) Selection as a finalist in either the 22
	3331	+	National Merit Scholarship competition, the National Hispanic Recognition 23
	3332	+	Program, or the National Achievement Scholarship competition conducted by the 24
	3333	+	National Merit Scholarship Corporation . 25
	3334	+	(B) For students graduating after December 31, 2001, the 26
	3335	+	The ACT superscores and SAT scores shall be earned by December 31 February 28 27
	3336	+	prior to the application deadline in order for the scores to be considered by 28
	3337	+	the Division of Higher Education division for a scholarship award; 29
	3338	+	(6)(7) “Full-time student” means a resident of Arkansas who is 30
	3339	+	in attendance at an approved private or public institution and who is 31
	3340	+	enrolled in at least twelve (12) credit hours the first semester and fifteen 32
	3341	+	(15) hours thereafter, or other reasonable academic equivalent as defined by 33
	3342	+	the Division of Higher Education division; 34
	3343	+	(7)(8) “Scholarship” means an award to an eligible student for 35
	3344	+	matriculation in an approved institution in the State of Arkansas; and 36 SB246
	3345	+
	3346	+	89 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3347	+	(8)(9) “Undergraduate student” means an individual who is 1
	3348	+	enrolled in a postsecondary educational program which leads to or is directly 2
	3349	+	creditable toward the individual's first baccalaureate degree. 3
	3350	+	4
	3351	+	SECTION 70. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-306, concerning eligibility under the 5
	3352	+	Arkansas Governor's Scholars Program, is amended to add additional 6
	3353	+	subsections to read as follows: 7
	3354	+	(e) An Arkansas Governor’s Scholar shall be chosen based on a student 8
	3355	+	who: 9
	3356	+	(1) Graduates with a diploma of distinction based on criteria 10
	3357	+	determined by the State Board of Education; or 11
	3358	+	(2) Earns an associate degree upon completing the summer term 12
	3359	+	immediately following graduation from high school. 13
	3360	+	(f) An Arkansas Governor's Scholar shall be chosen based on a student 14
	3361	+	exhibiting the highest exemplary academic achievement if: 15
	3362	+	(1) There are no recipients of the Arkansas Governor's 16
	3363	+	Distinguished Scholarship; or 17
	3364	+	(2) An Arkansas Governor's Scholar under subsection (e) of this 18
	3365	+	section is not chosen in any given Arkansas county. 19
	3366	+	20
	3367	+	SECTION 71. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-310, concerning the use of funds 21
	3368	+	under the Arkansas Governor's Scholars Program, is amended to add an 22
	3369	+	additional subsection to read as follows: 23
	3370	+	(c) In the event the number of students who qualify for a scholarship 24
	3371	+	under this subchapter during an academic year exceeds the amount of funds 25
	3372	+	appropriated to the Higher Education Grants Fund Account for purposes of 26
	3373	+	funding students who qualify for a scholarship under this subchapter during 27
	3374	+	the given academic year, the excess awards that qualify for distribution 28
	3375	+	under this subchapter shall be funded with any net proceeds from the state 29
	3376	+	lottery remaining after the Division of Higher Education allocates sufficient 30
	3377	+	funding to award the following scholarships at levels equivalent to the 31
	3378	+	awards made in the previous academic year: 32
	3379	+	(1) Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, § 6 -85-201 et seq.; and 33
	3380	+	(2) Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship, § 6 -85-301 et seq. 34
	3381	+	35
	3382	+	SECTION 72. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 82, Subchapter 5, is 36 SB246
	3383	+
	3384	+	90 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3385	+	repealed. 1
	3386	+	Subchapter 5 — Children of Law Enforcement Officers, Etc. 2
	3387	+	3
	3388	+	6-82-501. Definitions. 4
	3389	+	As used in this subchapter: 5
	3390	+	(1) “Child” or “children” means any natural child, adopted 6
	3391	+	child, or stepchild who is eligible under § 6 -82-504; 7
	3392	+	(2) “Division of Community Correction employee” means any 8
	3393	+	employee of the Division of Community Correction who suffers fatal injuries 9
	3394	+	or wounds or becomes permanently and totally disabled as a result of injuries 10
	3395	+	or wounds that occurred through contact with parolees, probationers, or 11
	3396	+	center residents; 12
	3397	+	(3)(A) “Emergency medical services personnel” means an 13
	3398	+	individual licensed by the Department of Health at any level established by 14
	3399	+	the rules adopted by the State Board of Health under the Emergency Medical 15
	3400	+	Services Act, § 20-13-201 et seq., and authorized to perform those services 16
	3401	+	set forth in the rules. 17
	3402	+	(B) This shall include without limitation an emergency 18
	3403	+	medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, paramedic, 19
	3404	+	emergency medical services instructor, or emergency medical services 20
	3405	+	instructor trainer; 21
	3406	+	(4) “Firefighter” means any firefighter employed on a full -time 22
	3407	+	or volunteer duty status while actually engaged in the performance of his or 23
	3408	+	her duties; 24
	3409	+	(5) “Law enforcement officer” means a: 25
	3410	+	(A) Constable, which includes all duly elected constables 26
	3411	+	of any beat of any county within the state while actually engaged in the 27
	3412	+	performance of their duties concerning the criminal laws of the county and 28
	3413	+	state; 29
	3414	+	(B) Game warden, which includes all appointed game wardens 30
	3415	+	employed by the State of Arkansas on a full -time duty status while actually 31
	3416	+	engaged in their duties concerning the game laws of this state; 32
	3417	+	(C) Municipal and college or university police officer, 33
	3418	+	which includes all law enforcement officers of any municipality, college, or 34
	3419	+	university who are regular duty personnel on full -time status and does not 35
	3420	+	include auxiliary officers or those serving on a temporary or part -time 36 SB246
	3421	+
	3422	+	91 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3423	+	status; 1
	3424	+	(D) Sheriff or deputy sheriff, which includes all law 2
	3425	+	enforcement officers of full -time status on a regular basis serving the 3
	3426	+	sheriff's department of any county but does not include deputy sheriffs who 4
	3427	+	are engaged in administrative or civil duty or deputy sheriffs serving in a 5
	3428	+	temporary capacity or part -time basis; and 6
	3429	+	(E) State highway patrolman, which includes any law 7
	3430	+	enforcement officer, regardless of department or bureau, of the Division of 8
	3431	+	Arkansas State Police; 9
	3432	+	(6) “State correction employee” means any employee of the 10
	3433	+	Division of Correction or the Arkansas Correctional School District who 11
	3434	+	becomes subject to injury through contact with inmates or parolees of the 12
	3435	+	Division of Correction; 13
	3436	+	(7) “State forestry employee” means an employee of the Arkansas 14
	3437	+	Forestry Commission who is actively engaged in his or her duties of fighting 15
	3438	+	forest fires; 16
	3439	+	(8) “State highway employee” means any employee of the Arkansas 17
	3440	+	Department of Transportation who actively engages in highway maintenance, 18
	3441	+	construction, or traffic operations on the roadways and bridges of the state 19
	3442	+	highway system while the roadways and bridges are open for use by the 20
	3443	+	traveling public; 21
	3444	+	(9) “State parks employee” means any employee of the Department 22
	3445	+	of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism who is a commissioned law enforcement officer 23
	3446	+	or emergency response employee while actively engaged in the performance of 24
	3447	+	his or her duties; and 25
	3448	+	(10) “Teacher” means any person employed by a public school for 26
	3449	+	the purpose of giving instruction and whose employment requires state 27
	3450	+	certification. 28
	3451	+	29
	3452	+	6-82-502. Rules. 30
	3453	+	The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board is directed and 31
	3454	+	empowered to promulgate rules as necessary to administer benefits awarded 32
	3455	+	under this subchapter by the Arkansas State Claims Commission. 33
3198	3456		34
3199		-	SECTION 66. Arkansas Code § 6 -81-607(3), concerning the definition of 35
3200		-	"student" under the Teacher Opportunity Program, is amended to add an 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3201		-
3202		-	81 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3203		-
3204		-
3205		-	additional subdivision to read as follows: 1
3206		-	(F) Any other subject matter as determined by the 2
3207		-	division. 3
3208		-	4
3209		-	SECTION 67. Arkansas Code §§ 6 -81-608 and 6-81-609 are repealed. 5
3210		-	6-81-608. Dual Licensure Incentive Program. 6
3211		-	(a) There is created the Dual Licensure Incentive Program to encourage 7
3212		-	classroom teachers currently employed by school districts in the state to 8
3213		-	return to college to obtain licensure in one (1) or more additional subject 9
3214		-	areas. 10
3215		-	(b) The program shall be administered by the Division of Higher 11
3216		-	Education. 12
3217		-	(c)(1) A classroom teacher returning to college as a student may 13
3218		-	receive a reimbursement not to exceed the cost of student fees, books, and 14
3219		-	instructional supplies. 15
3220		-	(2) The student fee reimbursement amount shall be based on the 16
3221		-	student fees of the state -supported institution of higher education that 17
3222		-	assesses the highest rate of student fees in this state. 18
3223		-	(d) The reimbursement made to a classroom teacher returning to college 19
3224		-	as a student in one (1) fiscal year may not exceed the cost associated with 20
3225		-	six (6) semester credit hours or the equivalent of six (6) semester credit 21
3226		-	hours. 22
3227		-	23
3228		-	6-81-609. Dual licensure funding. 24
3229		-	(a)(1)(A) A classroom teacher employed by a school district in the 25
3230		-	state may receive a reimbursement from the Dual Licensure Incentive Program 26
3231		-	if the classroom teacher returns to an approved institution of higher 27
3232		-	education to obtain licensure in an additional subject area: 28
3233		-	(i) Declared to be a shortage area by the Division 29
3234		-	of Elementary and Secondary Education; 30
3235		-	(ii) That the classroom teacher is currently teaching 31
3236		-	but for which he or she does not have a licensure; or 32
3237		-	(iii) And grade level in which the school district 33
3238		-	has requested a waiver under § 6 -17-309. 34
3239		-	(B)(i) A reimbursement from the Dual Licensure Incentive 35
3240		-	Program shall include funding for the cost of tuition, books, and fees not to 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3241		-
3242		-	82 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3243		-
3244		-
3245		-	exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000) each college year. 1
3246		-	(ii) The amount of the reimbursement and the number 2
3247		-	of reimbursement recipients selected by the Division of Higher Education is 3
3248		-	contingent on the appropriation and availability of funding for such a 4
3249		-	purpose. 5
3250		-	(2) To be eligible for a reimbursement under the Dual Licensure 6
3251		-	Incentive Program, the person shall be: 7
3252		-	(A) Employed as a classroom teacher for no less than three 8
3253		-	(3) years of teaching immediately preceding the application; and 9
3254		-	(B) Accepted for enrollment in a classroom teacher 10
3255		-	education program that will lead to a licensure to teach in a subject area 11
3256		-	that: 12
3257		-	(i) Is different from the classroom teacher's 13
3258		-	current area of licensure; and 14
3259		-	(ii) Either: 15
3260		-	(a) Has been identified as a subject area with 16
3261		-	a shortage of classroom teachers as declared by the Division of Elementary 17
3262		-	and Secondary Education; or 18
3263		-	(b) Is in the grade level and subject matter 19
3264		-	area for which the school district has requested a waiver under § 6 -17-309. 20
3265		-	(b)(1) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall 21
3266		-	promulgate rules as necessary to implement the Dual Licensure Incentive 22
3267		-	Program. 23
3268		-	(2) The number of classroom teacher participants each year shall 24
3269		-	be determined by the amount of funding available for the Dual Licensure 25
3270		-	Incentive Program and the limitations set under this section. 26
3271		-	27
3272		-	SECTION 68. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-108(e), concerning funding of the 28
3273		-	Academic Support Scholarship with certain remaining funds, is amended to read 29
3274		-	as follows: 30
3275		-	(e) A scholarship under this section shall be funded with any funds 31
3276		-	remaining after the division allocates sufficient funding to award Arkansas 32
3277		-	Academic Challenge Scholarships under § 6 -85-201 et seq., Arkansas Workforce 33
3278		-	Challenge Scholarships under § 6 -85-301 et seq., and Arkansas Concurrent 34
3279		-	Challenge Scholarships under § 6 -85-401 et seq ACCESS to Acceleration 35
3280		-	Scholarships under § 6 -85-701 et seq. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3281		-
3282		-	83 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3283		-
3284		-
3285		-	1
3286		-	SECTION 69. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-302 is amended to read as follows: 2
3287		-	6-82-302. Definitions. 3
3288		-	As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 4
3289		-	(1) “Academic ability” means the intellectual standing of a 5
3290		-	student. In determining superior academic ability, the Division of Higher 6
3291		-	Education shall examine the student's high school records, competitive 7
3292		-	examination scores, and demonstrated leadership capabilities; 8
3293		-	(2) “Approved institution” means a public state-supported 9
3294		-	institution of higher education or private college or university: 10
3295		-	(A) Which is dedicated to educational purposes, located in 11
3296		-	Arkansas, or located out of state and educating Arkansas residents in 12
3297		-	dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, podiatry, chiropractic, or 13
3298		-	osteopathy under agreement with the Southern Regional Education Board, 14
3299		-	accredited by an accrediting agency certified and recognized by the United 15
3300		-	States Department of Education or the Division of Agency Evaluation and 16
3301		-	Institutional Accreditation, or a school giving satisfactory assurance that 17
3302		-	it has the potential for accreditation and is making progress which, if 18
3303		-	continued, will result in its achieving accreditation professional programs 19
3304		-	not offered in the state under the Arkansas Health Education Grant Program ; 20
3305		-	(B) Which does not discriminate in the admission of 21
3306		-	students on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; and 22
3307		-	(C) Which subscribes to the principle of academic freedom; 23
3308		-	(3) “Competitive examination” means a standardized examination 24
3309		-	measuring achievement which is administered annually on a specified date and 25
3310		-	at a specified location and which is announced publicly; 26
3311		-	(4) “Eligible student” means a legal resident of the State of 27
3312		-	Arkansas as defined by the Division of Higher Education who: 28
3313		-	(A) Is eligible for admission as a full -time student; 29
3314		-	(B) Declares an intent to matriculate in an approved 30
3315		-	institution in Arkansas; and 31
3316		-	(C) Graduates from: 32
3317		-	(i) A a high school in this state , for Arkansas 33
3318		-	Governor's Scholars; or 34
3319		-	(ii) A high school, for Arkansas Governor's 35
3320		-	Distinguished Scholars ; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3321		-
3322		-	84 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3323		-
3324		-
3325		-	(5) "Exemplary academic achievement" means a student that 1
3326		-	achieves exemplary performance, as determined by the division, based on one 2
3327		-	(1) or more of the following: 3
3328		-	(A) SAT, CLT, or ACT; 4
3329		-	(B) High school grade point average; 5
3330		-	(C) High school rank upon graduation; 6
3331		-	(D) Associate degree upon graduation from high school; and 7
3332		-	(E) Being a recipient of a diploma of distinction; 8
3333		-	(5)(A)(6)(A) “Extraordinary academic ability” means: 9
3334		-	(i) Achievement of a superscore, as defined by § 6 -10
3335		-	85-204, of 32 or above on the ACT or a score of 1410 or above on the SAT; and 11
3336		-	(ii) Either: 12
3337		-	(a) For students graduating from high school 13
3338		-	after December 31, 2001, A student graduating from high school with an 14
3339		-	achievement of a high school grade point average of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 15
3340		-	scale; or 16
3341		-	(b) Selection as a finalist in either the 17
3342		-	National Merit Scholarship competition, the National Hispanic Recognition 18
3343		-	Program, or the National Achievement Scholarship competition conducted by the 19
3344		-	National Merit Scholarship Corporation . 20
3345		-	(B) For students graduating after December 31, 2001, the 21
3346		-	The ACT superscores and SAT scores shall be earned by December 31 February 28 22
3347		-	prior to the application deadline in order for the scores to be considered by 23
3348		-	the Division of Higher Education division for a scholarship award; 24
3349		-	(6)(7) “Full-time student” means a legal resident of Arkansas 25
3350		-	who is in attendance at an approved private or public institution and who is 26
3351		-	enrolled in at least twelve (12) credit hours the first semester and fifteen 27
3352		-	(15) hours thereafter, or other reasonable academic equivalent as defined by 28
3353		-	the Division of Higher Education division; 29
3354		-	(7)(8) “Scholarship” means an award to an eligible student for 30
3355		-	matriculation in an approved institution in the State of Arkansas; and 31
3356		-	(8)(9) “Undergraduate student” means an individual who is 32
3357		-	enrolled in a postsecondary educational program which leads to or is directly 33
3358		-	creditable toward the individual's first baccalaureate degree. 34
3359		-	35
3360		-	SECTION 70. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-306, concerning eligibility under the 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3361		-
3362		-	85 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3363		-
3364		-
3365		-	Arkansas Governor's Scholars Program, is amended to add additional 1
3366		-	subsections to read as follows: 2
3367		-	(e) An Arkansas Governor’s Scholar shall be chosen based on a student 3
3368		-	who: 4
3369		-	(1) Graduates with a diploma of distinction based on criteria 5
3370		-	determined by the State Board of Education; or 6
3371		-	(2) Earns an associate degree upon completing the summer term 7
3372		-	immediately following graduation from high school. 8
3373		-	(f) An Arkansas Governor's Scholar shall be chosen based on a student 9
3374		-	exhibiting the highest exemplary academic achievement if: 10
3375		-	(1) There are no recipients of the Arkansas Governor's 11
3376		-	Distinguished Scholarship; or 12
3377		-	(2) An Arkansas Governor's Scholar under subsection (e) of this 13
3378		-	section is not chosen in any given Arkansas county. 14
3379		-	15
3380		-	SECTION 71. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-310, concerning the use of funds 16
3381		-	under the Arkansas Governor's Scholars Program, is amended to add an 17
3382		-	additional subsection to read as follows: 18
3383		-	(c) In the event the number of students who qualify for a scholarship 19
3384		-	under this subchapter during an academic year exceeds the amount of funds 20
3385		-	appropriated to the Higher Education Grants Fund Account for purposes of 21
3386		-	funding students who qualify for a scholarship under this subchapter during 22
3387		-	the given academic year, the excess awards that qualify for distribution 23
3388		-	under this subchapter shall be funded with any net proceeds from the state 24
3389		-	lottery remaining after the Division of Higher Education allocates sufficient 25
3390		-	funding to award the following scholarships at levels equivalent to the 26
3391		-	awards made in the previous academic year: 27
3392		-	(1) Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, § 6 -85-201 et seq.; and 28
3393		-	(2) Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship, § 6 -85-301 et seq. 29
3394		-	30
3395		-	SECTION 72. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 82, Subchapter 5, is 31
3396		-	repealed. 32
3397		-	Subchapter 5 — Children of Law Enforcement Officers, Etc. 33
3398		-	34
3399		-	6-82-501. Definitions. 35
3400		-	As used in this subchapter: 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3401		-
3402		-	86 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3403		-
3404		-
3405		-	(1) “Child” or “children” means any natural child, adopted 1
3406		-	child, or stepchild who is eligible under § 6 -82-504; 2
3407		-	(2) “Division of Community Correction employee” means any 3
3408		-	employee of the Division of Community Correction who suffers fatal injuries 4
3409		-	or wounds or becomes permanently and totally disabled as a result of injuries 5
3410		-	or wounds that occurred through contact with parolees, probationers, or 6
3411		-	center residents; 7
3412		-	(3)(A) “Emergency medical services personnel” means an 8
3413		-	individual licensed by the Department of Health at any level established by 9
3414		-	the rules adopted by the State Board of Health under the Emergency Medical 10
3415		-	Services Act, § 20-13-201 et seq., and authorized to perform those services 11
3416		-	set forth in the rules. 12
3417		-	(B) This shall include without limitation an emergency 13
3418		-	medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, paramedic, 14
3419		-	emergency medical services instructor, or emergency medical services 15
3420		-	instructor trainer; 16
3421		-	(4) “Firefighter” means any firefighter employed on a full -time 17
3422		-	or volunteer duty status while actually engaged in the performance of his or 18
3423		-	her duties; 19
3424		-	(5) “Law enforcement officer” means a: 20
3425		-	(A) Constable, which includes all duly elected constables 21
3426		-	of any beat of any county within the state while actually engaged in the 22
3427		-	performance of their duties concerning the criminal laws of the county and 23
3428		-	state; 24
3429		-	(B) Game warden, which includes all appointed game wardens 25
3430		-	employed by the State of Arkansas on a full -time duty status while actually 26
3431		-	engaged in their duties concerning the game laws of this state; 27
3432		-	(C) Municipal and college or university police officer, 28
3433		-	which includes all law enforcement officers of any municipality, college, or 29
3434		-	university who are regular duty personnel on full -time status and does not 30
3435		-	include auxiliary officers or those serving on a temporary or part -time 31
3436		-	status; 32
3437		-	(D) Sheriff or deputy sheriff, which includes all law 33
3438		-	enforcement officers of full -time status on a regular basis serving the 34
3439		-	sheriff's department of any county but does not include deputy sheriffs who 35
3440		-	are engaged in administrative or civil duty or deputy sheriffs serving in a 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3441		-
3442		-	87 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3443		-
3444		-
3445		-	temporary capacity or part -time basis; and 1
3446		-	(E) State highway patrolman, which includes any law 2
3447		-	enforcement officer, regardless of department or bureau, of the Division of 3
3448		-	Arkansas State Police; 4
3449		-	(6) “State correction employee” means any employee of the 5
3450		-	Division of Correction or the Arkansas Correctional School District who 6
3451		-	becomes subject to injury through contact with inmates or parolees of the 7
3452		-	Division of Correction; 8
3453		-	(7) “State forestry employee” means an employee of the Arkansas 9
3454		-	Forestry Commission who is actively engaged in his or her duties of fighting 10
3455		-	forest fires; 11
3456		-	(8) “State highway employee” means any employee of the Arkansas 12
3457		-	Department of Transportation who actively engages in highway maintenance, 13
3458		-	construction, or traffic operations on the roadways and bridges of the state 14
3459		-	highway system while the roadways and bridges are open for use by the 15
3460		-	traveling public; 16
3461		-	(9) “State parks employee” means any employee of the Department 17
3462		-	of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism who is a commissioned law enforcement officer 18
3463		-	or emergency response employee while actively engaged in the performance of 19
3464		-	his or her duties; and 20
3465		-	(10) “Teacher” means any person employed by a public school for 21
3466		-	the purpose of giving instruction and whose employment requires state 22
3467		-	certification. 23
3468		-	24
3469		-	6-82-502. Rules. 25
3470		-	The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board is directed and 26
3471		-	empowered to promulgate rules as necessary to administer benefits awarded 27
3472		-	under this subchapter by the Arkansas State Claims Commission. 28
3473		-	29
3474		-	6-82-503. Entitlement. 30
3475		-	(a) If any Arkansas law enforcement officer, full -time or volunteer 31
3476		-	firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state 32
3477		-	correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks 33
3478		-	employee, teacher, or state forestry employee suffers fatal injuries or 34
3479		-	wounds or becomes permanently and totally disabled as a result of injuries or 35
3480		-	wounds that occurred in the performance of a hazardous duty within the scope 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3481		-
3482		-	88 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3483		-
3484		-
3485		-	of his or her employment or that occurred en route to or returning from a 1
3486		-	location where a hazardous situation existed, his or her children and spouse 2
3487		-	shall be entitled to a total of eight (8) semesters, or the equivalent 3
3488		-	thereof, of scholarship awards without cost, exclusive of books, food, school 4
3489		-	supplies, materials, and dues or fees for extracurricular activities, at any 5
3490		-	state-supported college, university, or technical institute of his or her 6
3491		-	choice within this state. Up to four (4) semesters, or the equivalent 7
3492		-	thereof, may be taken at a technical institute. 8
3493		-	(b) Scholarship benefits shall not accrue under this subchapter to any 9
3494		-	person if the wounds or injuries suffered by any law enforcement officer, 10
	3457	+	6-82-503. Entitlement. 35
	3458	+	(a) If any Arkansas law enforcement officer, full -time or volunteer 36 SB246
	3459	+
	3460	+	92 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3461	+	firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state 1
	3462	+	correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks 2
	3463	+	employee, teacher, or state forestry employee suffers fatal injuries or 3
	3464	+	wounds or becomes permanently and totally disabled as a result of injuries or 4
	3465	+	wounds that occurred in the performance of a hazardous duty within the scope 5
	3466	+	of his or her employment or that occurred en route to or returning from a 6
	3467	+	location where a hazardous situation existed, his or her children and spouse 7
	3468	+	shall be entitled to a total of eight (8) semesters, or the equivalent 8
	3469	+	thereof, of scholarship awards without cost, exclusive of books, food, school 9
	3470	+	supplies, materials, and dues or fees for extracurricular activities, at any 10
	3471	+	state-supported college, university, or technical institute of his or her 11
	3472	+	choice within this state. Up to four (4) semesters, or the equivalent 12
	3473	+	thereof, may be taken at a technical institute. 13
	3474	+	(b) Scholarship benefits shall not accrue under this subchapter to any 14
	3475	+	person if the wounds or injuries suffered by any law enforcement officer, 15
	3476	+	firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state 16
	3477	+	correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks 17
	3478	+	employee, teacher, or state forestry employee are self -inflicted or if the 18
	3479	+	death is self-induced. 19
	3480	+	(c) Unless § 6-82-504(e) is applicable, the Arkansas State Claims 20
	3481	+	Commission shall award any scholarship benefit provided by this subchapter at 21
	3482	+	the same time that any death benefit or total and permanent disability 22
	3483	+	benefit is awarded by the commission under the provisions of § 21 -5-701 et 23
	3484	+	seq. 24
	3485	+	25
	3486	+	6-82-504. Awards to children. 26
	3487	+	(a) In order for a natural child to be eligible to receive a 27
	3488	+	scholarship benefit: 28
	3489	+	(1) The child must have been born prior to the date of the death 29
	3490	+	or total and permanent disability of the law enforcement officer, 30
	3491	+	firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state 31
	3492	+	correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks 32
	3493	+	employee, teacher, or state forestry employee; or 33
	3494	+	(2) The law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical 34
	3495	+	technician, state highway employee, state correction employee, Division of 35
	3496	+	Community Correction employee, state parks employee, teacher, or state 36 SB246
	3497	+
	3498	+	93 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3499	+	forestry employee or the spouse of the law enforcement officer, firefighter, 1
	3500	+	emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state correction 2
	3501	+	employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks employee, 3
	3502	+	teacher, or state forestry employee must have been pregnant with the child at 4
	3503	+	the time of the death or total and permanent disability of the law 5
	3504	+	enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway 6
	3505	+	employee, state correction employee, Division of Community Correction 7
	3506	+	employee, state parks employee, teacher, or state forestry employee. 8
	3507	+	(b) In order for an adopted child to be eligible to receive a 9
	3508	+	scholarship benefit: 10
	3509	+	(1) The child must have been adopted prior to the date of the 11
	3510	+	death or total and permanent disability of the law enforcement officer, 12
	3511	+	firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state 13
	3512	+	correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks 14
	3513	+	employee, teacher, or state forestry employee; or 15
	3514	+	(2) The child's adoption process must have begun prior to the 16
	3515	+	date of the death or total and permanent disability of the law enforcement 17
	3516	+	officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, 18
	3517	+	state correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state 19
	3518	+	parks employee, teacher, or state forestry employee. 20
	3519	+	(c) In order for a stepchild under nineteen (19) years of age to be 21
	3520	+	eligible to receive a scholarship benefit: 22
	3521	+	(1) The stepchild must have been listed as a dependent on the 23
	3522	+	federal and state income tax returns of the law enforcement officer, 24
	3523	+	firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state 25
	3524	+	correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks 26
	3525	+	employee, teacher, or state forestry employee in each of the five (5) income 27
	3526	+	years immediately prior to the date of the death or total and permanent 28
	3527	+	disability of the law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical 29
	3528	+	technician, state highway employee, state correction employee, Division of 30
	3529	+	Community Correction employee, state parks employee, teacher, or state 31
	3530	+	forestry employee; and 32
	3531	+	(2) The stepchild must have received more than one -half (½) of 33
	3532	+	his or her financial support from the law enforcement officer, firefighter, 34
	3533	+	emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state correction 35
	3534	+	employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks employee, 36 SB246
	3535	+
	3536	+	94 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3537	+	teacher, or state forestry employee in each of the five (5) income years 1
	3538	+	immediately prior to the date of the death or total and permanent disability 2
	3539	+	of the law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, 3
	3540	+	state highway employee, state correction employee, Division of Community 4
	3541	+	Correction employee, state parks employee, teacher, or state forestry 5
	3542	+	employee. 6
	3543	+	(d) In order for a stepchild nineteen (19) years of age or older to be 7
	3544	+	eligible to receive a scholarship benefit: 8
	3545	+	(1) The stepchild must have been listed as a dependent on the 9
	3546	+	federal and state income tax returns of the law enforcement officer, 10
3495	3547		firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state 11
3496	3548		correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks 12
3497		-	employee, teacher, or state forestry employee are self -inflicted or if the 13
3498		-	death is self-induced. 14
3499		-	(c) Unless § 6-82-504(e) is applicable, the Arkansas State Claims 15
3500		-	Commission shall award any scholarship benefit provided by this subchapter at 16
3501		-	the same time that any death benefit or total and permanent disability 17
3502		-	benefit is awarded by the commission under the provisions of § 21 -5-701 et 18
3503		-	seq. 19
	3549	+	employee, teacher, or state forestry employee in each of five (5) income 13
	3550	+	years during the eight (8) years immediately prior to the date of the death 14
	3551	+	or total and permanent disability of the law enforcement officer, 15
	3552	+	firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state 16
	3553	+	correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, teacher, 17
	3554	+	state parks employee, or state forestry employee; and 18
	3555	+	(2) The stepchild must have received more than one -half (½) of 19
	3556	+	his or her financial support from the law enforcement officer, firefighter, 20
	3557	+	emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state correction 21
	3558	+	employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks employee, 22
	3559	+	teacher, or state forestry employee in each of five (5) income years during 23
	3560	+	the eight (8) years immediately prior to the date of the death or total and 24
	3561	+	permanent disability of the law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency 25
	3562	+	medical technician, state highway employee, state correction employee, 26
	3563	+	Division of Community Correction employee, state parks employee, teacher, or 27
	3564	+	state forestry employee. 28
	3565	+	(e) If the covered public employee or his or her heirs did not file 29
	3566	+	for the available death or disability benefit, but were otherwise eligible to 30
	3567	+	receive, within the time frame provided in § 21 -5-703, then the covered 31
	3568	+	public employee's child or children who would have otherwise been eligible to 32
	3569	+	receive the provided educational scholarship benefit under this section may 33
	3570	+	individually file prior to their twenty -first birthdays a claim to receive 34
	3571	+	the provided educational scholarship benefit. 35
	3572	+	36 SB246
	3573	+
	3574	+	95 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3575	+	6-82-505. Limits for scholarship. 1
	3576	+	(a) No child will be entitled to receive benefits under this 2
	3577	+	subchapter during any semester or quarter when the child has reached twenty -3
	3578	+	three (23) years of age on or before the first day of the semester or 4
	3579	+	quarter. 5
	3580	+	(b) No spouse will be eligible for the education benefit if he or she 6
	3581	+	remarries. The benefit will cease at the end of the semester at which the 7
	3582	+	spouse is currently enrolled at the time of the marriage. 8
	3583	+	9
	3584	+	6-82-506. Written application for benefits. 10
	3585	+	Any person claiming benefits awarded by the Arkansas State Claims 11
	3586	+	Commission under the provisions of this subchapter shall make written 12
	3587	+	application with the Division of Higher Education on forms provided by the 13
	3588	+	division. 14
	3589	+	15
	3590	+	6-82-507. Renewal of scholarship. 16
	3591	+	To retain eligibility for a scholarship benefit under this subchapter, 17
	3592	+	a recipient shall: 18
	3593	+	(1) Maintain a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 19
	3594	+	scholastic grading scale; and 20
	3595	+	(2) Meet any other continuing eligibility criteria established 21
	3596	+	by the Division of Higher Education. 22
	3597	+	23
	3598	+	SECTION 73. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-601(i)(3), concerning funding by 24
	3599	+	certain scholarships related to tuition waivers for dependents of certain 25
	3600	+	veterans, is repealed. 26
	3601	+	(3) Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship, § 6 -85-401 et 27
	3602	+	seq. 28
	3603	+	29
	3604	+	SECTION 74. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-1802(c), concerning continuing 30
	3605	+	eligibility under the Arkansas Future Grant Program, is amended to read as 31
	3606	+	follows: 32
	3607	+	(c) A student may continue to be eligible until the student has: 33
	3608	+	(1) Received the grant for five (5) academic semesters a maximum 34
	3609	+	of seventy-five (75) course credit hours in which the student is enrolled ; 35
	3610	+	(2) Obtained an associate degree; or 36 SB246
	3611	+
	3612	+	96 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3613	+	(3) Failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress, as 1
	3614	+	determined by the approved institution of higher education in which the 2
	3615	+	student is enrolled; or 3
	3616	+	(4) Failed to complete the mentoring or community service 4
	3617	+	requirements under § 6 -82-1804. 5
	3618	+	6
	3619	+	SECTION 75. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-1803(a)(1), concerning distribution 7
	3620	+	of the Arkansas Future Grant Program, is amended to read as follows: 8
	3621	+	(a)(1) An Arkansas Future Grant shall be in: 9
	3622	+	(A) Distributed in accordance with the Division of Higher 10
	3623	+	Education's stacking policy under § 6-80-105; and 11
	3624	+	(B) In an amount equal to the tuition, fees, and other 12
	3625	+	charges incurred by a student who meets the requirements under § 6 -82-1802 to 13
	3626	+	attend an approved institution of higher education less the amount the 14
	3627	+	student receives in: 15
	3628	+	(A) State-supported student financial assistance; 16
	3629	+	(B) Federal student financial assistance; and 17
	3630	+	(C) Private scholarships . 18
	3631	+	19
	3632	+	SECTION 76. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-1804(a), concerning the written 20
	3633	+	agreement requirements for a recipient of an Arkansas Future Grant, is 21
	3634	+	amended to read as follows: 22
	3635	+	(a)(1) A student who receives an Arkansas Future Grant shall enter 23
	3636	+	into a written agreement with the Division of Higher Education to : 24
	3637	+	(1)(A) Receive monthly mentoring from a mentor from an 25
	3638	+	organization determined by the Division of Higher Education. 26
	3639	+	(B) A mentor under subdivision (a)(1)(A) of this section 27
	3640	+	shall: 28
	3641	+	(i) Receive annual mentoring training: 29
	3642	+	(a) Developed by the Division of Higher 30
	3643	+	Education; and 31
	3644	+	(b) Provided by a local volunteer group 32
	3645	+	approved by the Division of Higher Education; and 33
	3646	+	(ii) Certify to the Division of Higher Education 34
	3647	+	that at least one (1) time each semester the mentor has provided mentoring 35
	3648	+	services by telephone, email, or in person to each student he or she is 36 SB246
	3649	+
	3650	+	97 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3651	+	mentoring; 1
	3652	+	(2)(A) Complete at least ten (10) hours of community service 2
	3653	+	each semester the student receives a grant. 3
	3654	+	(B)(i) A student may select a community service project 4
	3655	+	that meets requirements developed by the Division of Higher Education. 5
	3656	+	(ii) An approved institution of higher education may 6
	3657	+	provide community services opportunities designed to benefit the approved 7
	3658	+	institution of higher education community or the broader local community. 8
	3659	+	(C) A student shall certify his or her community service 9
	3660	+	to the approved institution of higher education by the last regular day of 10
	3661	+	the semester the student received the grant; and 11
	3662	+	(3)(A) Reside reside in this state for three (3) consecutive 12
	3663	+	years six (6) months and be employed beginning within six (6) months after 13
	3664	+	receiving an associate degree or a certification. 14
	3665	+	(B)(2) The Division of Higher Education may defer the 15
	3666	+	requirement under subdivision (a)(3)(A) subdivision (a)(1) of this section 16
	3667	+	if: 17
	3668	+	(i)(A) The Division of Higher Education, in 18
	3669	+	consultation with the Division of Workforce Services, determines that there 19
	3670	+	was no employment position available that would reasonably enable the student 20
	3671	+	to meet this requirement; or 21
	3672	+	(ii)(B) Special circumstances as determined by the 22
	3673	+	Division of Higher Education exist. 23
	3674	+	(C)(3) After the period of deferral, the student shall 24
	3675	+	begin or resume working in this state or become subject to repayment under 25
	3676	+	subsection (b) of this section. 26
	3677	+	27
	3678	+	SECTION 77. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-2205(b), concerning the requirements 28
	3679	+	for an eligible postsecondary institution under the Arkansas Teacher Academy 29
	3680	+	Scholarship Program, is amended to read as follows: 30
	3681	+	(b) An eligible postsecondary institution may : 31
	3682	+	(1) Develop develop a portfolio of teacher preparation programs 32
	3683	+	to offer as part of its Arkansas Teacher Academy ; 33
	3684	+	(2)(A) Give priority to students in grades eleven (11) and 34
	3685	+	twelve (12). 35
	3686	+	(B) However, an eligible postsecondary institution shall 36 SB246
	3687	+
	3688	+	98 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3689	+	not exclude students in grades nine (9) and ten (10) from its Arkansas 1
	3690	+	Teacher Academy; and 2
	3691	+	(3)(A) Use scholarship funds that exceed the cost of tuition and 3
	3692	+	fees at the eligible postsecondary institution to support its Arkansas 4
	3693	+	Teacher Academy costs. 5
	3694	+	(B) However, if a scholarship awarded to an academy 6
	3695	+	attendee under this subchapter does not cover the eligible postsecondary 7
	3696	+	institution's tuition and fees after an academy attendee receives all other 8
	3697	+	financial gifts, financial aid, and grants, the eligible postsecondary 9
	3698	+	institution shall not charge an academy attendee awarded a scholarship under 10
	3699	+	this subchapter the remaining difference . 11
	3700	+	12
	3701	+	SECTION 78. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-2206(a), concerning scholarships 13
	3702	+	under the Arkansas Teacher Academy Scholarship Program, is amended to read as 14
	3703	+	follows: 15
	3704	+	(a)(1) An Effective beginning the 2025 -2026 academic year, an eligible 16
	3705	+	postsecondary institution shall provide to each academy attendee who is 17
	3706	+	accepted and enrolled in its Arkansas Teacher Academy program an annual 18
	3707	+	scholarship, not to exceed the maximum award as determined by the Division of 19
	3708	+	Higher Education each eligible semester, up to the actual cost of the: 20
	3709	+	(A) Eligible postsecondary institution's tuition and fees 21
	3710	+	for a maximum of: 22
	3711	+	(i) Two (2) academic years , or four (4) academic 23
	3712	+	semesters, not to exceed sixty (60) academic hours, or completion of the 24
	3713	+	program for an academy attendee who is a graduate student enrolled in the 25
	3714	+	Arkansas Teacher Academy at the eligible postsecondary institution; 26
	3715	+	(ii) Four (4) academic years , or eight (8) academic 27
	3716	+	semesters, not to exceed one hundred twenty (120) academic hours, or 28
	3717	+	completion of the program for an undergraduate student enrolled in the 29
	3718	+	Arkansas Teacher Academy at the eligible postsecondary institution; and 30
	3719	+	(iii)(a) Two (2) academic years , or four (4) 31
	3720	+	academic semesters, not to exceed sixty (60) academic hours, or completion of 32
	3721	+	the program for a community college student enrolled in the Arkansas Teacher 33
	3722	+	Academy at the eligible postsecondary institution. 34
	3723	+	(b) A student who qualifies under subdivision 35
	3724	+	(a)(1)(A)(iii)(a) of this section shall receive continued eligibility for two 36 SB246
	3725	+
	3726	+	99 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3727	+	(2) additional academic years or four (4) additional academic semesters at a 1
	3728	+	postsecondary institution that is an undergraduate institution; and 2
	3729	+	(B) Obtainment of a teaching license issued by the State 3
	3730	+	Board of Education, including without limitation the actual cost of one (1) 4
	3731	+	exam required for obtaining a teaching license issued by the state board. 5
	3732	+	(2) A scholarship distributed to an academy attendee under 6
	3733	+	subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall be distributed only after all other 7
	3734	+	financial gifts, financial aid, and grants have been received by an academy 8
	3735	+	attendee enrolled in an Arkansas Teacher Academy at an eligible postsecondary 9
	3736	+	institution in accordance with the division's scholarship stacking policy 10
	3737	+	under § 6-80-105. 11
	3738	+	(3) In compliance with the division's scholarship stacking 12
	3739	+	policy, a student's total financial aid package, which can include multiple 13
	3740	+	scholarships, shall not exceed the recognized cost of attendance at a state -14
	3741	+	supported institution of higher education. 15
	3742	+	16
	3743	+	SECTION 79. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 82 is amended to add an 17
	3744	+	additional subchapter to read as follows: 18
	3745	+	Subchapter 25 — Arkansas Heroes Scholarship Act 19
3504	3746		20
3505		-	6-82-504. Awards to children. 21
3506		-	(a) In order for a natural child to be eligible to receive a 22
3507		-	scholarship benefit: 23
3508		-	(1) The child must have been born prior to the date of the death 24
3509		-	or total and permanent disability of the law enforcement officer, 25
3510		-	firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state 26
3511		-	correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks 27
3512		-	employee, teacher, or state forestry employee; or 28
3513		-	(2) The law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical 29
3514		-	technician, state highway employee, state correction employee, Division of 30
3515		-	Community Correction employee, state parks employee, teacher, or state 31
3516		-	forestry employee or the spouse of the law enforcement officer, firefighter, 32
3517		-	emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state correction 33
3518		-	employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks employee, 34
3519		-	teacher, or state forestry employee must have been pregnant with the child at 35
3520		-	the time of the death or total and permanent disability of the law 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3521		-
3522		-	89 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3523		-
3524		-
3525		-	enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway 1
3526		-	employee, state correction employee, Division of Community Correction 2
3527		-	employee, state parks employee, teacher, or state forestry employee. 3
3528		-	(b) In order for an adopted child to be eligible to receive a 4
3529		-	scholarship benefit: 5
3530		-	(1) The child must have been adopted prior to the date of the 6
3531		-	death or total and permanent disability of the law enforcement officer, 7
3532		-	firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state 8
3533		-	correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks 9
3534		-	employee, teacher, or state forestry employee; or 10
3535		-	(2) The child's adoption process must have begun prior to the 11
3536		-	date of the death or total and permanent disability of the law enforcement 12
3537		-	officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, 13
3538		-	state correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state 14
3539		-	parks employee, teacher, or state forestry employee. 15
3540		-	(c) In order for a stepchild under nineteen (19) years of age to be 16
3541		-	eligible to receive a scholarship benefit: 17
3542		-	(1) The stepchild must have been listed as a dependent on the 18
3543		-	federal and state income tax returns of the law enforcement officer, 19
3544		-	firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state 20
3545		-	correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks 21
3546		-	employee, teacher, or state forestry employee in each of the five (5) income 22
3547		-	years immediately prior to the date of the death or total and permanent 23
3548		-	disability of the law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical 24
3549		-	technician, state highway employee, state correction employee, Division of 25
3550		-	Community Correction employee, state parks employee, teacher, or state 26
3551		-	forestry employee; and 27
3552		-	(2) The stepchild must have received more than one -half (½) of 28
3553		-	his or her financial support from the law enforcement officer, firefighter, 29
3554		-	emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state correction 30
3555		-	employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks employee, 31
3556		-	teacher, or state forestry employee in each of the five (5) income years 32
3557		-	immediately prior to the date of the death or total and permanent disability 33
3558		-	of the law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, 34
3559		-	state highway employee, state correction employee, Division of Community 35
3560		-	Correction employee, state parks employee, teacher, or state forestry 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3561		-
3562		-	90 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3563		-
3564		-
3565		-	employee. 1
3566		-	(d) In order for a stepchild nineteen (19) years of age or older to be 2
3567		-	eligible to receive a scholarship benefit: 3
3568		-	(1) The stepchild must have been listed as a dependent on the 4
3569		-	federal and state income tax returns of the law enforcement officer, 5
3570		-	firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state 6
3571		-	correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks 7
3572		-	employee, teacher, or state forestry employee in each of five (5) income 8
3573		-	years during the eight (8) years immediately prior to the date of the death 9
3574		-	or total and permanent disability of the law enforcement officer, 10
3575		-	firefighter, emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state 11
3576		-	correction employee, Division of Community Correction employee, teacher, 12
3577		-	state parks employee, or state forestry employee; and 13
3578		-	(2) The stepchild must have received more than one -half (½) of 14
3579		-	his or her financial support from the law enforcement officer, firefighter, 15
3580		-	emergency medical technician, state highway employee, state correction 16
3581		-	employee, Division of Community Correction employee, state parks employee, 17
3582		-	teacher, or state forestry employee in each of five (5) income years during 18
3583		-	the eight (8) years immediately prior to the date of the death or total and 19
3584		-	permanent disability of the law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency 20
3585		-	medical technician, state highway employee, state correction employee, 21
3586		-	Division of Community Correction employee, state parks employee, teacher, or 22
3587		-	state forestry employee. 23
3588		-	(e) If the covered public employee or his or her heirs did not file 24
3589		-	for the available death or disability benefit, but were otherwise eligible to 25
3590		-	receive, within the time frame provided in § 21 -5-703, then the covered 26
3591		-	public employee's child or children who would have otherwise been eligible to 27
3592		-	receive the provided educational scholarship benefit under this section may 28
3593		-	individually file prior to their twenty -first birthdays a claim to receive 29
3594		-	the provided educational scholarship benefit. 30
	3747	+	6-82-2501. Title. 21
	3748	+	This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Arkansas Heroes 22
	3749	+	Scholarship Act". 23
	3750	+	24
	3751	+	6-82-2502. Purpose. 25
	3752	+	The purpose of this subchapter is to create a scholarship to be known 26
	3753	+	as the "Arkansas Heroes Scholarship" that honors the heroic efforts of the 27
	3754	+	individuals who served as Arkansas's heroes and their families. 28
	3755	+	29
	3756	+	6-82-2503. Definitions. 30
	3757	+	(a) As used in this subchapter: 31
	3758	+	(1) “Arkansas hero” means: 32
	3759	+	(A) One (1) of the following who suffers a fatal injury or 33
	3760	+	wound or becomes permanently and totally disabled as a result of injuries or 34
	3761	+	wounds that occurred in the performance of a hazardous duty within the scope 35
	3762	+	of his or her employment or that occurred en route to or returning from a 36 SB246
	3763	+
	3764	+	100 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3765	+	location where a hazardous situation existed: 1
	3766	+	(i) A law enforcement officer; 2
	3767	+	(ii) A firefighter; 3
	3768	+	(iii) An emergency medical technician; 4
	3769	+	(iv) A state highway employee; 5
	3770	+	(v) A state correction employee; 6
	3771	+	(vi) A Division of Community Correction employee; 7
	3772	+	(vii) A state parks employee; or 8
	3773	+	(viii) A state forestry employee; 9
	3774	+	(B) A disabled veteran; 10
	3775	+	(C) A prisoner of war; 11
	3776	+	(D) A recipient of a Medal of Honor or Purple Heart; 12
	3777	+	(E) A person declared to be missing in action or killed in 13
	3778	+	action; 14
	3779	+	(F) A person killed on ordnance delivery; 15
	3780	+	(G) A teacher who suffers a fatal injury or wound or 16
	3781	+	becomes permanently and totally disabled as a result of injuries or wounds 17
	3782	+	that occurred due to an act of violence at a public school or open -enrollment 18
	3783	+	charter school in this state; 19
	3784	+	(2) “Child” means a natural child, an adopted child, or a 20
	3785	+	stepchild who is eligible to receive a scholarship under this subchapter; 21
	3786	+	(3) “Disabled veteran” means a person who has been awarded 22
	3787	+	either: 23
	3788	+	(A) United States Armed Forces disability retirement 24
	3789	+	benefits; or 25
	3790	+	(B) Special monthly compensation by the United States 26
	3791	+	Department of Veterans Affairs for service -connected, one hundred percent 27
	3792	+	(100%) total and permanent disability; 28
	3793	+	(4) “Division of Community Correction employee” means an 29
	3794	+	employee of the Division of Community Correction who suffers a fatal injury 30
	3795	+	or wound or becomes permanently and totally disabled because of an injury or 31
	3796	+	wound that occurred through contact with a parolee, probationer, or center 32
	3797	+	resident; 33
	3798	+	(5)(A) “Emergency medical services personnel” means an 34
	3799	+	individual licensed by the Department of Health at any level established by 35
	3800	+	the rules adopted by the State Board of Health under the Emergency Medical 36 SB246
	3801	+
	3802	+	101 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3803	+	Services Act, § 20-13-201 et seq., and authorized to perform the services 1
	3804	+	under the rules. 2
	3805	+	(B) "Emergency medical services personnel" includes 3
	3806	+	without limitation: 4
	3807	+	(i) An emergency medical technician; 5
	3808	+	(ii) An advanced emergency medical technician; 6
	3809	+	(iii) A paramedic; 7
	3810	+	(iv) An emergency medical services instructor; and 8
	3811	+	(v) An emergency medical services instructor 9
	3812	+	trainer; 10
	3813	+	(6) “Firefighter” means a firefighter employed on a full -time or 11
	3814	+	volunteer status while actually engaged in the performance of his or her 12
	3815	+	duties; 13
	3816	+	(7) “Law enforcement officer” means a: 14
	3817	+	(A) Constable, including without limitation all elected 15
	3818	+	constables of any beat of any county within the state while actually engaged 16
	3819	+	in the performance of his or her duties concerning the criminal laws of the 17
	3820	+	county and state; 18
	3821	+	(B) Game warden, including without limitation all 19
	3822	+	appointed game wardens employed by the state on a full -time status while 20
	3823	+	actually engaged in his or her duties concerning the game laws of this state; 21
	3824	+	(C)(i) Municipal and a state -supported institution of 22
	3825	+	higher education police officer, including without limitation all law 23
	3826	+	enforcement officers of any municipality or state -supported institution of 24
	3827	+	higher education who are regular duty personnel on full -time status. 25
	3828	+	(ii) Municipal and a state -supported institution of 26
	3829	+	higher education police officer does not include auxiliary officers or those 27
	3830	+	serving on a temporary or part -time status; 28
	3831	+	(D)(i) Sheriff or deputy sheriff, including without 29
	3832	+	limitation all law enforcement officers on full -time status on a regular 30
	3833	+	basis serving the sheriff's department of any county. 31
	3834	+	(ii) Sheriff or deputy sheriff does not include a 32
	3835	+	deputy sheriff who is: 33
	3836	+	(a) Engaged in administrative or civil duty; 34
	3837	+	or 35
	3838	+	(b) Serving in a temporary capacity or part -36 SB246
	3839	+
	3840	+	102 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3841	+	time status; 1
	3842	+	(E) State highway patrolman, including without limitation 2
	3843	+	any law enforcement officer, regardless of department or bureau, of the 3
	3844	+	Division of Arkansas State Police; and 4
	3845	+	(F) Any other person employed by the State of Arkansas or 5
	3846	+	a political subdivision of the State of Arkansas as an appointed law 6
	3847	+	enforcement officer who is responsible for the prevention and detection of 7
	3848	+	crime and the enforcement of the criminal, traffic, or highway laws of this 8
	3849	+	state; 9
	3850	+	(8) “Ordnance delivery” means the piloting of or flying in an 10
	3851	+	experimental or test aircraft while determining its fitness or ability to 11
	3852	+	perform its military function or mission; 12
	3853	+	(9)(A) “Prisoner of war”, “person missing in action”, “person 13
	3854	+	killed in action”, and “person killed on ordnance delivery” mean a person 14
	3855	+	who: 15
	3856	+	(i) Was a resident of the State of Arkansas at the 16
	3857	+	time that person entered the service of the United States Armed Forces or 17
	3858	+	whose official residence is within the State of Arkansas; and 18
	3859	+	(ii) Who, while serving in the United States Armed 19
	3860	+	Forces, has been declared to be a prisoner of war, a person missing in 20
	3861	+	action, a person killed in action as established by the United States 21
	3862	+	Secretary of Defense after January 1, 1960, or a person killed on ordnance 22
	3863	+	delivery. 23
	3864	+	(B) “Prisoner of war”, “person missing in action”, “person 24
	3865	+	killed in action”, and “person killed on ordnance delivery” apply whether or 25
	3866	+	not capture or death occurred during a declared war or as a result of hostile 26
	3867	+	action. 27
	3868	+	(C) A death as a result of injuries received while serving 28
	3869	+	in the United States Armed Forces or Arkansas National Guard is only covered 29
	3870	+	by this subdivision (a)(9) if the death occurred while on active duty or 30
	3871	+	state active duty; 31
	3872	+	(10) “State correction employee” means an employee of the 32
	3873	+	Division of Correction or the Arkansas Correctional School District who 33
	3874	+	becomes subject to injury through contact with an inmate or parolee of the 34
	3875	+	Division of Correction; 35
	3876	+	(11) “State forestry employee” means an employee of the Arkansas 36 SB246
	3877	+
	3878	+	103 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3879	+	Forestry Commission who is actively engaged in his or her duties of fighting 1
	3880	+	forest fires; 2
	3881	+	(12) “State highway employee” means an employee of the Arkansas 3
	3882	+	Department of Transportation who actively engages in highway maintenance, 4
	3883	+	construction, or traffic operations on the roadways and bridges of the state 5
	3884	+	highway system while the roadways and bridges are open for use by the 6
	3885	+	traveling public; 7
	3886	+	(13) “State parks employee” means an employee of the Department 8
	3887	+	of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism who is a commissioned law enforcement officer 9
	3888	+	or emergency response employee while actively engaged in the performance of 10
	3889	+	his or her duties; 11
	3890	+	(14) “Teacher” means a person employed by a public school 12
	3891	+	district for the purpose of providing direct instruction to students and 13
	3892	+	whose employment requires state certification; and 14
	3893	+	(15) “United States Armed Forces dependent” means a spouse, a 15
	3894	+	child born to or conceived by, an adopted child, a child under legal 16
	3895	+	guardianship, or a stepchild of a: 17
	3896	+	(A) Disabled veteran; 18
	3897	+	(B) Prisoner of war; or 19
	3898	+	(C) Person declared to be: 20
	3899	+	(i) Missing in action; 21
	3900	+	(ii) Killed in action; or 22
	3901	+	(iii) Killed on ordnance delivery. 23
	3902	+	24
	3903	+	6-82-2504. Rules. 25
	3904	+	The Division of Higher Education may promulgate rules to implement this 26
	3905	+	subchapter. 27
	3906	+	28
	3907	+	6-82-2505. Eligibility for Arkansas Heroes Scholarship. 29
	3908	+	(a) Eligibility for the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship requires one (1) 30
	3909	+	of the following: 31
	3910	+	(1) The student has been an Arkansas resident for at least one 32
	3911	+	(1) year before submitting a scholarship application; 33
	3912	+	(2) The student was born before the date of the death or 34
	3913	+	disability of the Arkansas hero; or 35
	3914	+	(3) The Arkansas hero or the spouse of the Arkansas hero was 36 SB246
	3915	+
	3916	+	104 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3917	+	pregnant with the student at the time of the death or disability of the 1
	3918	+	Arkansas hero. 2
	3919	+	(b) In order for an adopted child to be eligible to receive a 3
	3920	+	scholarship benefit: 4
	3921	+	(1) The adopted child is required to have been adopted before 5
	3922	+	the date of the death or disability of the Arkansas hero; or 6
	3923	+	(2) The adopted child's adoption process is required to have 7
	3924	+	begun before the date of the death or disability of the Arkansas hero. 8
	3925	+	(c) In order for a stepchild under nineteen (19) years of age to be 9
	3926	+	eligible to receive a scholarship benefit, the stepchild under nineteen (19) 10
	3927	+	years of age shall have: 11
	3928	+	(1) Been listed as a dependent on the federal and state income 12
	3929	+	tax returns of the Arkansas hero in each of the five (5) income years 13
	3930	+	immediately before the date of the death or disability of the Arkansas hero; 14
	3931	+	and 15
	3932	+	(2) Received more than one -half (1/2) of his or her financial 16
	3933	+	support from the Arkansas hero in each of the five (5) income years 17
	3934	+	immediately before the date of the death or disability of the Arkansas hero. 18
	3935	+	(d) In order for a stepchild who is nineteen (19) years of age or 19
	3936	+	older to be eligible to receive a scholarship benefit, the stepchild who is 20
	3937	+	nineteen (19) years or older shall have: 21
	3938	+	(1) Been listed as a dependent on the federal and state income 22
	3939	+	tax returns of the Arkansas hero in at least five (5) of the eight (8) income 23
	3940	+	years immediately before the date of the death or disability of the Arkansas 24
	3941	+	hero; and 25
	3942	+	(2) Received more than one -half (1/2) of his or her financial 26
	3943	+	support from the Arkansas hero in at least five (5) of the eight (8) income 27
	3944	+	years immediately before the date of the death or disability of the Arkansas 28
	3945	+	hero. 29
	3946	+	(e) If a covered public employee, as defined in § 21 -5-701, or his or 30
	3947	+	her heirs did not file for the available death or disability benefit but were 31
	3948	+	otherwise eligible to receive the death or disability benefit within the time 32
	3949	+	frame provided in § 21 -5-703, then the covered public employee's child or 33
	3950	+	children who would have otherwise been eligible to receive the provided 34
	3951	+	educational scholarship benefit under this section may individually file 35
	3952	+	before his or her twenty -first birthday a claim to receive the provided 36 SB246
	3953	+
	3954	+	105 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3955	+	educational scholarship benefit if: 1
	3956	+	(1) The student is considered a United States Armed Forces 2
	3957	+	dependent as provided in § 6 -82-2503; or 3
	3958	+	(2) The student is a dependent of an Arkansas hero who suffered 4
	3959	+	fatal injuries or wounds or becomes disabled as a result of injuries or 5
	3960	+	wounds that occurred in the performance of a hazardous duty within the scope 6
	3961	+	of his or her employment or that occurred en route to or returning from a 7
	3962	+	location where a hazardous situation existed. 8
	3963	+	(f) Scholarship benefits may not accrue under this subchapter to a 9
	3964	+	person if the wound or injury suffered by an Arkansas hero is self -inflicted 10
	3965	+	or if the death of an Arkansas hero is self -inflicted. 11
	3966	+	(g) Unless subsection (e) of this section is applicable, the Arkansas 12
	3967	+	State Claims Commission shall award any scholarship benefit provided by this 13
	3968	+	subchapter at the same time that any death benefit or disability benefit is 14
	3969	+	awarded by the commission under the provisions of § 21 -5-701 et seq. 15
	3970	+	16
	3971	+	6-82-2506. Eligibility restrictions. 17
	3972	+	(a) A child shall not be entitled to receive benefits under this 18
	3973	+	subchapter during any semester or quarter when the child has reached twenty -19
	3974	+	six (26) years of age on or before the first day of the semester or quarter. 20
	3975	+	(b)(1) A spouse shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this 21
	3976	+	subchapter if he or she remarries. 22
	3977	+	(2) The benefits under this subchapter shall cease at the end of 23
	3978	+	the semester in which the spouse is currently enrolled at the time of the 24
	3979	+	marriage. 25
	3980	+	26
	3981	+	6-82-2507. Applications. 27
	3982	+	(a) An eligible student shall apply to the Division of Higher 28
	3983	+	Education for benefits under this subchapter. 29
	3984	+	(b) A United States Armed Forces dependent shall: 30
	3985	+	(1) Apply for the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational 31
	3986	+	Assistance program, 38 U.S.C. § 3500 et seq., as it existed on January 1, 32
	3987	+	2025, with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; and 33
	3988	+	(2) Provide the division with proof of: 34
	3989	+	(A) Acceptance into the Survivors’ and Dependents’ 35
	3990	+	Educational Assistance program; or 36 SB246
	3991	+
	3992	+	106 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	3993	+	(B) Noneligibility for the Survivors’ and Dependents’ 1
	3994	+	Educational Assistance program following application. 2
	3995	+	(c) Except as provided under subsection (d) of this section, a 3
	3996	+	dependent of an Arkansas hero, upon his or her being accepted for enrollment 4
	3997	+	into any private, nonprofit institution of higher education in the State of 5
	3998	+	Arkansas or a state-supported institution of higher education in the State of 6
	3999	+	Arkansas, may obtain his or her first bachelor's degree for so long as he or 7
	4000	+	she is eligible with state assistance for tuition, fees, or other charges as 8
	4001	+	provided under this subsection. 9
	4002	+	(d)(1) The state assistance under this subchapter is limited to the 10
	4003	+	tuition, fees, or other charges that exceed the amount of monetary benefits 11
	4004	+	the dependent is eligible to receive from the Survivors' and Dependents' 12
	4005	+	Educational Assistance program during the months included in each semester in 13
	4006	+	which the dependent is enrolled. 14
	4007	+	(2) If the dependent is not eligible for monetary benefits from 15
	4008	+	the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance program but is eligible 16
	4009	+	for the benefits under this subchapter, the dependent may obtain a bachelor's 17
	4010	+	degree free of tuition, fees, or other charges from a private, nonprofit 18
	4011	+	institution of higher education in this state or a state -supported 19
	4012	+	institution of higher education in this state. 20
	4013	+	(3) However, the state assistance awarded to a dependent 21
	4014	+	attending a private, nonprofit institution of higher education in this state 22
	4015	+	shall not exceed the maximum amount of state assistance awarded to dependents 23
	4016	+	attending a state-supported institution of higher education in this state. 24
	4017	+	(e) Once a person qualifies as a dependent under this subchapter, 25
	4018	+	there shall be no situation such as the return of the parent or the reported 26
	4019	+	death of the parent that will remove the dependent from the provisions or 27
	4020	+	benefits of this subchapter. 28
	4021	+	(f) An eligible recipient shall receive a scholarship for one (1) 29
	4022	+	academic year, renewable for up to three (3) additional academic years if the 30
	4023	+	recipient meets continuing eligibility criteria established by the division. 31
	4024	+	(g) In compliance with the division's scholarship stacking policy, a 32
	4025	+	student's total financial aid package, which can include multiple 33
	4026	+	scholarships, shall not exceed the recognized cost of attendance at a state -34
	4027	+	supported institution of higher education. 35
	4028	+	(h) In the event the number of students who qualify for a scholarship 36 SB246
	4029	+
	4030	+	107 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4031	+	under this subchapter during an academic year exceeds the amount of funds 1
	4032	+	appropriated to the Higher Education Grants Fund Account for purposes of 2
	4033	+	funding students who qualify for scholarship under this subchapter during the 3
	4034	+	given academic year, the excess awards that qualify for distribution under 4
	4035	+	this subchapter shall be funded with any net proceeds from the state lottery 5
	4036	+	remaining after the division allocates sufficient funding to award the 6
	4037	+	following scholarships at levels equivalent to the awards made in the 7
	4038	+	previous academic year: 8
	4039	+	(1) Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, § 6 -85-201 et seq.; 9
	4040	+	and 10
	4041	+	(2) Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship, § 6 -85-301 et seq. 11
	4042	+	12
	4043	+	6-82-2508. Scholarship funding and continued eligibility. 13
	4044	+	(a) The state assistance under this subchapter is limited to the 14
	4045	+	tuition, fees, and other expenses required for the first bachelor’s degree 15
	4046	+	earned by the dependent. 16
	4047	+	(b)(1) An eligible dependent shall be entitled to a total of eight (8) 17
	4048	+	semesters, or the equivalent thereof, of scholarship awards without cost, 18
	4049	+	exclusive of books, food, school supplies, materials, and dues or fees for 19
	4050	+	extracurricular activities, at any state -supported institution of higher 20
	4051	+	education or technical institute of his or her choice within this state. 21
	4052	+	(2) The eligible dependent may take up to four (4) semesters, or 22
	4053	+	the equivalent thereof, at a technical institute. 23
	4054	+	(c) To retain eligibility for a scholarship benefit under this 24
	4055	+	subchapter, a recipient shall: 25
	4056	+	(1) Maintain a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 26
	4057	+	scholastic grading scale; and 27
	4058	+	(2) Meet any other continuing eligibility criteria established 28
	4059	+	by the Division of Higher Education. 29
	4060	+	(d) If a recipient fails to meet eligibility criteria, he or she may 30
	4061	+	apply for state assistance under this subchapter a maximum of one (1) 31
	4062	+	additional time once eligibility is reestablished. 32
	4063	+	33
	4064	+	SECTION 80. Arkansas Code § 6-85-207 is amended to read as follows: 34
	4065	+	6-85-207. Additional eligibility requirements for traditional students. 35
	4066	+	In addition to the basic eligibility requirements of § 6 -85-206, an 36 SB246
	4067	+
	4068	+	108 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4069	+	applicant is eligible as a traditional student if the applicant either: 1
	4070	+	(1)(A) Graduated from an Arkansas public high school and has a 2
	4071	+	minimum superscore of nineteen (19) on the ACT or the equivalent score on an 3
	4072	+	ACT equivalent; or 4
	4073	+	(B) Upon graduation from high school: 5
	4074	+	(i) Achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.0 6
	4075	+	during high school; 7
	4076	+	(ii) Completed at least one (1) college readiness 8
	4077	+	assessment; and 9
	4078	+	(iii)(a) Achieved a diploma of merit as defined in 10
	4079	+	rules promulgated by the State Board of Education. 11
	4080	+	(b) Proof of attainment of the diploma of 12
	4081	+	merit under subdivision (1)(B)(iii)(a) of this section shall be submitted 13
	4082	+	with the student's scholarship application; or 14
	4083	+	(2)(A) Has a disability identified under the Individuals with 15
	4084	+	Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., as it existed on July 16
	4085	+	1, 2009, and graduated from an Arkansas public high school, and either: meets 17
	4086	+	the requirements defined in subdivision (1) of this section. 18
	4087	+	(A) Had a minimum composite score of nineteen (19) on the 19
	4088	+	ACT or the equivalent score on an ACT equivalent; or 20
	4089	+	(B) Scored proficient or higher on all state -mandated end-21
	4090	+	of-course assessments, including without limitation end -of-course assessments 22
	4091	+	on: 23
	4092	+	(i) Algebra I; 24
	4093	+	(ii) Geometry; 25
	4094	+	(iii) Biology; and 26
	4095	+	(iv) Literacy; 27
	4096	+	(3) Achieved a minimum superscore of nineteen (19) on the ACT or 28
	4097	+	the equivalent score on an ACT equivalent and: 29
	4098	+	(B) A student shall also meet one (1) of the following 30
	4099	+	eligibility requirements: 31
	4100	+	(A) Graduated (i) Graduate from a private high school, an 32
	4101	+	out-of-state high school, or a home school high school; or 33
	4102	+	(B)(ii) In the year in which the student would have been a 34
	4103	+	junior or senior in high school, completed the requirements for high school 35
	4104	+	graduation and obtained a high school equivalency diploma approved by the 36 SB246
	4105	+
	4106	+	109 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4107	+	Adult Education Section instead of receiving a diploma; or 1
	4108	+	(4)(iii) Meets one (1) of the following criteria: 2
	4109	+	(A)(a) Was enrolled at an institution of higher education 3
	4110	+	in the immediately preceding academic year as a full -time, first-time 4
	4111	+	freshman; 5
	4112	+	(B)(b) Did not receive a scholarship under this subchapter 6
	4113	+	as a full-time, first-time freshman; 7
	4114	+	(C)(c) Successfully completed with the equivalent of a 8
	4115	+	minimum letter grade of “D” at least twenty -seven (27) semester hours of 9
	4116	+	courses as a full-time, first-time freshman; and or 10
	4117	+	(D)(d) Achieved a postsecondary grade point average of at 11
	4118	+	least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale as a full -time, first-time freshman. 12
	4119	+	13
	4120	+	SECTION 81. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-212(d)(1)(A), concerning scholarship 14
	4121	+	award amounts under the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program, is 15
	4122	+	amended to read as follows: 16
	4123	+	(d)(1)(A) Subject to the availability of net revenue, the scholarship 17
	4124	+	award amount under this subchapter for an academic year for a full -time 18
	4125	+	recipient enrolled in a four -year approved institution of higher education 19
	4126	+	is: 20
	4127	+	(i) One Two thousand dollars ($1,000) ($2,000) for a 21
	4128	+	recipient who has earned less than twenty -seven (27) semester credit hours; 22
	4129	+	(ii) Four thousand dollars ($4,000) for a recipient 23
	4130	+	who has earned at least twenty -seven (27) semester credit hours but less than 24
	4131	+	fifty-seven (57) semester credit hours; 25
	4132	+	(iii) Four thousand dollars ($4,000) for a recipient 26
	4133	+	who has earned at least fifty -seven (57) semester credit hours but less than 27
	4134	+	eighty-seven (87) semester credit hours; and 28
	4135	+	(iv)(a) Five thousand dollars ($5,000) for a 29
	4136	+	recipient who has earned at least eighty -seven (87) semester credit hours but 30
	4137	+	no more than one hundred twenty (120) semester credit hours unless the 31
	4138	+	recipient is enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program that requires more 32
	4139	+	than one hundred twenty (120) semester credit hours, but not more than one 33
	4140	+	hundred thirty (130) semester credit hours, as provided under § 6 -61-232, 34
	4141	+	then up to the number of credit hours required to complete the baccalaureate 35
	4142	+	program. 36 SB246
	4143	+
	4144	+	110 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4145	+	(b) A recipient shall receive no more than one 1
	4146	+	(1) year of the scholarship provided under subdivision (d)(1)(A)(iv)(a) of 2
	4147	+	this section unless the recipient is enrolled in a baccalaureate degree 3
	4148	+	program that requires more than one hundred twenty (120) semester credit 4
	4149	+	hours as provided under § 6 -61-232. 5
	4150	+	(c)(1) A recipient who is eligible to receive 6
	4151	+	the scholarship under subdivision (d)(1)(A)(iv)(a) of this section may 7
	4152	+	receive the scholarship while enrolled in a semester as a part -time student. 8
	4153	+	(2) The scholarship amount for the 9
	4154	+	semester in which a recipient is enrolled as a part -time student under 10
	4155	+	subdivision (d)(1)(A)(iv)(c)(1) of this section shall may be prorated by the 11
	4156	+	number of credit hours in which the recipient is enrolled. 12
	4157	+	13
	4158	+	SECTION 82. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-302 is amended to read as follows: 14
	4159	+	6-85-302. Definitions. 15
	4160	+	As used in this subchapter: 16
	4161	+	(1) “Approved institution of higher education” means an 17
	4162	+	institution of higher education approved by the Division of Higher Education 18
	4163	+	to participate in the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program and 19
	4164	+	that is: 20
	4165	+	(A) Has its primary headquarters located in Arkansas; 21
	4166	+	(B) Is eligible to receive Title IV federal student aid 22
	4167	+	funds; and 23
	4168	+	(C) Is: 24
	4169	+	(i) A state-supported two-year or four-year college 25
	4170	+	or university institution of higher education ; or 26
	4171	+	(ii) A public or private vocational -technical 27
	4172	+	school; 28
	4173	+	(iii) A public or private technical institute; or 29
	4174	+	(B)(iv) A private, nonprofit two -year or four-year college 30
	4175	+	or university with its primary headquarters located in Arkansas that is 31
	4176	+	eligible to receive Title IV federal student aid funds ; and 32
	4177	+	(2)(A) “Certificate program” means a program that is offered or 33
	4178	+	made available to a student by an approved institution of higher education 34
	4179	+	that leads to the obtainment of a certification or license, including without 35
	4180	+	limitation a program operated or sponsored by a third party. 36 SB246
	4181	+
	4182	+	111 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4183	+	(B) "Certificate program" is determined by the division 1
	4184	+	and includes without limitation the following: 2
	4185	+	(i) Advanced manufacturing; 3
	4186	+	(ii) Health care; 4
	4187	+	(iii) Information technology; 5
	4188	+	(iv) Construction trades; or 6
	4189	+	(v) Logistics and distribution. 7
	4190	+	(C) The credit hours or contact hours awarded for a 8
	4191	+	certificate program may include credit hours or contact hours that are not 9
	4192	+	creditable toward an associate or a baccalaureate degree. 10
	4193	+	11
	4194	+	SECTION 83. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-304(a), concerning student 12
	4195	+	eligibility under the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program, is 13
	4196	+	amended to read as follows: 14
	4197	+	(a) A student is eligible to receive an Arkansas Workforce Challenge 15
	4198	+	Scholarship for an academic year if the student applies to the Division of 16
	4199	+	Higher Education an approved institution of higher education by a date 17
	4200	+	determined by the Division of Higher Education preceding the academic year 18
	4201	+	and: 19
	4202	+	(1) Is an Arkansas resident or, if the student is less than 20
	4203	+	twenty-one (21) years of age, either the student or one (1) parent of the 21
	4204	+	student is an Arkansas resident; 22
	4205	+	(2) Meets either of the following requirements: 23
	4206	+	(A) Graduated from a: 24
	4207	+	(i) Public high school in Arkansas or another state; 25
	4208	+	(ii) Private high school in Arkansas or another 26
	4209	+	state; or 27
	4210	+	(iii) Home school under § 6 -15-501 et seq. or 28
	4211	+	recognized by another state; or 29
	4212	+	(B) Received a high school equivalency diploma approved by 30
	4213	+	the Adult Education Section or another state; 31
	4214	+	(3) Is not receiving a scholarship under the Arkansas Academic 32
	4215	+	Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-201 et seq.; and 33
	4216	+	(4) Is accepted for admission in a program of study at an 34
	4217	+	approved institution of higher education that leads to an associate degree or 35
	4218	+	a certificate program in one (1) of the following high-demand fields: 36 SB246
	4219	+
	4220	+	112 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4221	+	described in § 6-85-302. 1
	4222	+	(A) Industry; 2
	4223	+	(B) Health care; and 3
	4224	+	(C) Information technology; and 4
	4225	+	(5)(A) Whose program of study or certificate program will result 5
	4226	+	in the student's being qualified to work in an occupation identified by the 6
	4227	+	Division of Workforce Services under subdivision (a)(5)(B)(i) of this 7
	4228	+	section. 8
	4229	+	(B)(i) The Division of Workforce Services shall provide 9
	4230	+	annually to the Division of Higher Education by March 1 a list that 10
	4231	+	identifies the five (5) most in -demand occupations in this state in each 11
	4232	+	high-demand field under subdivision (a)(4) of this section that require the 12
	4233	+	completion of a program of study that leads to an associate degree or a 13
	4234	+	certificate program. 14
	4235	+	(ii) The Division of Workforce Services shall publish 15
	4236	+	on its website the list under subdivision (a)(5)(B)(i) of this section and 16
	4237	+	data supporting the list. 17
	4238	+	18
	4239	+	SECTION 84. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-305 is amended to read as follows: 19
	4240	+	6-85-305. Distribution — Award amounts. 20
	4241	+	(a) If funds are available, the Division of Higher Education shall 21
	4242	+	distribute Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarships to all students who meet 22
	4243	+	the requirements under § 6 -85-304. 23
	4244	+	(b)(1) The division shall distribute scholarships from the funds 24
	4245	+	available in an equal amount to every student eligible to receive a 25
	4246	+	scholarship under this subchapter. 26
	4247	+	(2) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the 27
	4248	+	(2)(A) The maximum scholarship award a student may receive in an 28
	4249	+	academic year shall be the lesser of: 29
	4250	+	(A) Eight hundred dollars ($800); or 30
	4251	+	(B)(i) The cost of the certificate program or program of 31
	4252	+	study. 32
	4253	+	(ii) The cost of a certificate program or program of 33
	4254	+	study shall include: 34
	4255	+	(a) Tuition, fees, or other charges; 35
	4256	+	(b) Textbooks or other course materials; and 36 SB246
	4257	+
	4258	+	113 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4259	+	(c) Equipment needed for a course established 1
	4260	+	by the division. 2
	4261	+	(B) Scholarship awards shall be based on the following 3
	4262	+	criteria: 4
	4263	+	(i) Program costs; 5
	4264	+	(ii) Statewide workforce demands; 6
	4265	+	(iii) Credentials of value; and 7
	4266	+	(iv) Industry-specific expected wages and wage 8
	4267	+	increase progression. 9
	4268	+	(C) The division shall establish the award amounts payable 10
	4269	+	to awardees on an annual basis. 11
	4270	+	(3) The scholarship awards may be used for expenses included in 12
	4271	+	the cost of the certificate program or program of study. 13
	4272	+	(4) A scholarship under this section shall be only for the 14
	4273	+	academic year for which it is awarded. 15
	4274	+	(c)(1) If the division has funds remaining after making the 16
	4275	+	distributions under subsection (b) of this section, the division shall 17
	4276	+	distribute scholarships to students for the summer term of the academic year. 18
	4277	+	(2) If funds are available under subdivision (c)(1) of this 19
	4278	+	section, a student shall apply for a scholarship for a summer term by a date 20
	4279	+	determined by the division preceding the summer term. 21
	4280	+	(3)(A) The division shall distribute scholarships for a summer 22
	4281	+	term in the same manner as under subsection (b) of this section. 23
	4282	+	(B)(2) Scholarships for a summer term may be used in the 24
	4283	+	same manner as under subsection (b) of this section. 25
	4284	+	(4)(3) A student who received a scholarship under subsection (b) 26
	4285	+	of this section may also receive a scholarship for a summer term. 27
	4286	+	(d) The division shall disburse scholarship awards on behalf of an 28
	4287	+	eligible student directly to the approved institution of higher education. 29
	4288	+	30
	4289	+	SECTION 85. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 85, Subchapter 4 is 31
	4290	+	repealed. 32
	4291	+	Subchapter 4 — Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program 33
	4292	+	34
	4293	+	6-85-401. Creation. 35
	4294	+	There is created the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program. 36 SB246
	4295	+
	4296	+	114 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4297	+	1
	4298	+	6-85-402. Definitions. 2
	4299	+	As used in this subchapter: 3
	4300	+	(1) “Approved institution of higher education” means an 4
	4301	+	institution of higher education that: 5
	4302	+	(A) Is approved by the Division of Higher Education to 6
	4303	+	participate in the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program; 7
	4304	+	(B) Offers at least a fifty -percent discount on the 8
	4305	+	tuition and mandatory fees of an endorsed concurrent enrollment course or 9
	4306	+	certificate program to a student who is enrolled in an endorsed concurrent 10
	4307	+	enrollment course or certificate program, unless other opportunities are 11
	4308	+	provided that lower the tuition and mandatory fees below fifty percent (50%); 12
	4309	+	and 13
	4310	+	(C) Is a: 14
	4311	+	(i) State-supported two-year or four-year college or 15
	4312	+	university; or 16
	4313	+	(ii) Private, nonprofit two -year or four-year college 17
	4314	+	or university that has its primary headquarters located in Arkansas and that 18
	4315	+	is eligible to receive Title IV federal student aid funds; 19
	4316	+	(2)(A) “Certificate program” means a program that is offered or 20
	4317	+	made available to a student by an approved institution of higher education 21
	4318	+	that leads to the obtainment of a certification or license. 22
	4319	+	(B) “Certificate program” does not include a program that 23
	4320	+	is operated or sponsored by a third party; 24
	4321	+	(3)(A) “Endorsed concurrent enrollment course” means the same as 25
	4322	+	defined in § 6-16-1202. 26
	4323	+	(B) “Endorsed concurrent enrollment course” does not 27
	4324	+	include a program that is operated or sponsored by a third party; and 28
	4325	+	(4) “Student” means a person in grade ten (10), grade eleven 29
	4326	+	(11), or grade twelve (12) who is enrolled at a: 30
	4327	+	(A) Public high school in Arkansas; 31
	4328	+	(B) Private high school in Arkansas; or 32
	4329	+	(C) Home school, as defined in § 6 -15-501. 33
	4330	+	34
	4331	+	6-85-403. Eligibility. 35
	4332	+	(a) A student is eligible to receive an Arkansas Concurrent Challenge 36 SB246
	4333	+
	4334	+	115 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4335	+	Scholarship under this subchapter for an academic semester or academic year 1
	4336	+	during which the student is enrolled in an endorsed concurrent enrollment 2
	4337	+	course or certificate program if the student: 3
	4338	+	(1) Is an Arkansas resident or, if the student is less than 4
	4339	+	twenty-one (21) years of age, either the student or one (1) parent of the 5
	4340	+	student is an Arkansas resident; and 6
	4341	+	(2)(A) Submits a student success plan as described under § 6 -15-7
	4342	+	2911(b). 8
	4343	+	(B) The student success plan required under subdivision 9
	4344	+	(a)(2)(A) of this section for a student who is enrolled in an endorsed 10
	4345	+	concurrent enrollment course or certificate program shall: 11
	4346	+	(i) Be prepared in consultation with: 12
	4347	+	(a) School personnel, the student, and the 13
	4348	+	student's parent or legal guardian; or 14
	4349	+	(b) A college advisor; and 15
	4350	+	(ii) Include: 16
	4351	+	(a) An endorsed concurrent enrollment course 17
	4352	+	or certificate program that is relevant to the student's success plan; and 18
	4353	+	(b) Measures that ensure the successful 19
	4354	+	completion of the endorsed concurrent enrollment course or certificate 20
	4355	+	program in which the student is enrolled. 21
	4356	+	(b)(1) A student successfully completes an endorsed concurrent 22
	4357	+	enrollment course or a course taken towards the completion of a certificate 23
	4358	+	program under this subchapter if he or she completes the course or program 24
	4359	+	and receives a minimum grade point average of 2.5. 25
	4360	+	(2)(A) A student who fails to successfully complete an endorsed 26
	4361	+	concurrent enrollment course or a course taken towards the completion of a 27
	4362	+	certificate program under this subchapter shall: 28
	4363	+	(i) Retain eligibility for a scholarship under this 29
	4364	+	subchapter; and 30
	4365	+	(ii) Enroll in no more than one (1) endorsed 31
	4366	+	concurrent enrollment course or course required for the completion of a 32
	4367	+	certificate program for the first semester following the semester in which 33
	4368	+	the student failed to successfully complete an endorsed concurrent enrollment 34
	4369	+	course or course taken towards the completion of a certificate program. 35
	4370	+	(B) However, if a student fails an endorsed concurrent 36 SB246
	4371	+
	4372	+	116 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4373	+	enrollment course or a course taken towards the completion of a certificate 1
	4374	+	program under this subchapter a second time, the student shall be ineligible 2
	4375	+	to reapply for a scholarship under this subchapter. 3
	4376	+	(c) A student whose enrollment in a vocational center is reimbursable 4
	4377	+	under § 6-51-305 is not eligible for a scholarship under this subchapter. 5
	4378	+	6
	4379	+	6-85-404. Funding. 7
	4380	+	(a) For an academic year, Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarships 8
	4381	+	under this subchapter shall be funded with any funds remaining after the 9
	4382	+	Division of Higher Education allocates sufficient funding to award Arkansas 10
	4383	+	Workforce Challenge Scholarships under § 6 -85-301 et seq., at a level 11
	4384	+	equivalent to the awards made in the previous academic year. 12
	4385	+	(b)(1) A scholarship under this subchapter shall not be awarded for an 13
	4386	+	academic year if: 14
	4387	+	(A) Less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars 15
	4388	+	($250,000) is available under subsection (a) of this section; or 16
	4389	+	(B) The division received a loan from the Scholarship 17
	4390	+	Shortfall Reserve Trust Account under § 23 -115-802 for the Arkansas Academic 18
	4391	+	Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-201 et seq., for the previous academic 19
	4392	+	year. 20
	4393	+	(2) Any funds under subsection (a) of this section that are not 21
	4394	+	disbursed for scholarships under this subchapter shall be carried over to the 22
	4395	+	next academic year to be used for scholarships under this subchapter. 23
	4396	+	24
	4397	+	6-85-405. Distribution — Award amounts. 25
	4398	+	(a) If funds are available, the Division of Higher Education shall 26
	4399	+	award Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarships to all students who meet the 27
	4400	+	requirements under this subchapter. 28
	4401	+	(b)(1) The division shall distribute scholarships from the funds 29
	4402	+	available in an equal amount to every approved institution of higher 30
	4403	+	education that has enrolled a student eligible to receive a scholarship under 31
	4404	+	this subchapter. 32
	4405	+	(2) The maximum scholarship award a student may receive in an 33
	4406	+	academic year shall be the lesser of: 34
	4407	+	(A)(i) Five hundred dollars ($500). 35
	4408	+	(ii) A scholarship awarded to a student who is 36 SB246
	4409	+
	4410	+	117 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4411	+	eligible under § 6-85-403 shall be awarded in the amount of one hundred 1
	4412	+	twenty-five dollars ($125) for each endorsed concurrent enrollment credit 2
	4413	+	course or certificate program in which the eligible student is enrolled, up 3
	4414	+	to two (2) endorsed concurrent enrollment credit courses or certificate 4
	4415	+	programs per semester; or 5
	4416	+	(B) The tuition and mandatory fees of the endorsed 6
	4417	+	concurrent credit course or certificate program. 7
	4418	+	(3) A scholarship granted under this section may be awarded in 8
	4419	+	addition to any funds received for the enrollment in an endorsed concurrent 9
	4420	+	enrollment course under § 6 -16-1204(e)(3). 10
	4421	+	(4) Unless a student's high school or community -based program 11
	4422	+	provides financial assistance for the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for 12
	4423	+	an endorsed concurrent enrollment course or certificate program, the 13
	4424	+	remaining cost of tuition and mandatory fees for an endorsed concurrent 14
	4425	+	enrollment course or certificate program is the responsibility of the 15
	4426	+	eligible student who is enrolled in the endorsed concurrent enrollment course 16
	4427	+	or certificate program. 17
	4428	+	18
	4429	+	6-85-406. Rules. 19
	4430	+	The Division of Higher Education shall promulgate rules to implement 20
	4431	+	this subchapter. 21
	4432	+	22
	4433	+	SECTION 86. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-502(b)(5), concerning the amount of 23
	4434	+	net proceeds to fund scholarships under the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge 24
	4435	+	Scholarship Program used for the lottery fiscal impact statement, is 25
	4436	+	repealed. 26
	4437	+	(5) The amount of net proceeds that was necessary to fund 27
	4438	+	scholarships under the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program, § 28
	4439	+	6-85-401 et seq., during each of the last four (4) years immediately 29
	4440	+	preceding the year in which the proposed bill is being considered, listed 30
	4441	+	separately; 31
	4442	+	32
	4443	+	SECTION 87. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-502(b)(7)(C), concerning the 33
	4444	+	comparison of the year with the highest amount of net proceeds necessary to 34
	4445	+	fund scholarships under the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship 35
	4446	+	Program, is repealed. 36 SB246
	4447	+
	4448	+	118 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4449	+	(C) The year with the highest amount of net proceeds 1
	4450	+	necessary to fund scholarships under the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge 2
	4451	+	Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-401 et seq., as determined under subdivision 3
	4452	+	(b)(5) of this section; and 4
	4453	+	5
	4454	+	SECTION 88. Arkansas Code § 20 -7-133(b)(2), concerning members 6
	4455	+	appointed by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education to the 7
	4456	+	Child Health Advisory Committee, is amended to read as follows: 8
	4457	+	(2) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education shall 9
	4458	+	appoint: 10
	4459	+	(A) One (1) member to represent the Division of Elementary 11
	4460	+	and Secondary Education; 12
	4461	+	(B) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas School 13
	4462	+	Nutrition Association Child Nutrition Unit ; 14
	4463	+	(C) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas School Nurses 15
	4464	+	Association public school nurse; 16
	4465	+	(D) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas Association 17
	4466	+	of Educational Administrators public school administrator ; 18
	4467	+	(E) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas PTA of a 19
	4468	+	public school district parent -teacher association; 20
	4469	+	(F) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas School Boards 21
	4470	+	Association of a public school district board of directors ; 22
	4471	+	(G) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas Association 23
	4472	+	of School Business Officials public school district finance employee ; and 24
	4473	+	(H) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas Association 25
	4474	+	for Supervision and Curriculum Development Two (2) public school licensed 26
	4475	+	educators; and 27
	4476	+	(I) One (1) member who is a classroom teacher . 28
	4477	+	29
	4478	+	SECTION 89. Arkansas Code § 21 -5-703(c), concerning the award of 30
	4479	+	scholarship benefits by the Arkansas State Claims Commssion during the claims 31
	4480	+	process for death benefits of public employees, is amended to read as 32
	4481	+	follows: 33
	4482	+	(c) Unless § 6-82-504(e) § 6-82-2505(e) is applicable, the commission 34
	4483	+	shall award any scholarship benefit provided by the provisions of § 6-82-501 35
	4484	+	et seq. the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship Act, § 6 -82-2501 et seq., at the same 36 SB246
	4485	+
	4486	+	119 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4487	+	time any death benefit or total and permanent disability benefit is awarded 1
	4488	+	under this subchapter. 2
	4489	+	3
	4490	+	SECTION 90. Arkansas Code § 21 -5-705(a)(3)(B)(i), concerning the 4
	4491	+	maximum death benefit paid to a designated beneficiary or survivor of certain 5
	4492	+	public employees killed in the line of duty, is amended to read as follows: 6
	4493	+	(i) A maximum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars 7
	4494	+	($150,000) per individual death, including educational benefits provided in § 8
	4495	+	6-82-501 et seq. the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship Act, § 6 -82-2501 et seq.; 9
	4496	+	and 10
	4497	+	11
	4498	+	SECTION 91. The introductory language of Arkansas Code § 23 -115-12
	4499	+	801(b)(1)(B)(i), concerning the establishment of the Lottery Scholarship 13
	4500	+	Trust Account by the Office of the Arkansas Lottery, is amended to read as 14
	4501	+	follows: 15
	4502	+	(B)(i) The office shall establish the Lottery Scholarship 16
	4503	+	Trust Account as required under subdivision (b)(1)(A) of this section to fund 17
	4504	+	the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-201 et seq., the 18
	4505	+	Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-301 et seq., the 19
	4506	+	Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-401 et seq., and 20
	4507	+	any other scholarship funded with net proceeds from the state lottery in a 21
	4508	+	financial institution into which the office shall transfer: 22
	4509	+	23
	4510	+	SECTION 92. Arkansas Code § 23 -115-801(b)(1)(B)(ii) and (iii), 24
	4511	+	concerning funding of the Lottery Scholarship Trust Account by the Office of 25
	4512	+	the Arkansas Lottery, are amended to read as follows: 26
	4513	+	(ii) The funds transferred by the office into the 27
	4514	+	Lottery Scholarship Trust Account for the Arkansas Academic Challenge 28
	4515	+	Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-201 et seq., the Arkansas Workforce Challenge 29
	4516	+	Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-301 et seq., the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge 30
	4517	+	Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-401 et seq., and any other scholarship funded 31
	4518	+	with net proceeds from the state lottery as established under subdivision 32
	4519	+	(b)(1)(B)(i) of this section shall be used for: 33
	4520	+	(a) Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarships; 34
	4521	+	(b) Any management fees charged by the 35
	4522	+	financial institution to manage the trust account for scholarship award 36 SB246
	4523	+
	4524	+	120 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4525	+	supplements; 1
	4526	+	(c) Arkansas Concurrent Challenge 2
	4527	+	Scholarships; 3
	4528	+	(d) Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarships; 4
	4529	+	and 5
	4530	+	(e) (d) Any other scholarship funded with net 6
	4531	+	proceeds from the state lottery. 7
	4532	+	(iii) Annually, the office shall transfer to the 8
	4533	+	division the funds from the previous academic year, if any, that were 9
	4534	+	transferred by the office into the Lottery Scholarship Trust Account 10
	4535	+	established under subdivision (b)(1)(B)(i) of this section for distribution 11
	4536	+	of Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarships, Arkansas Workforce Challenge 12
	4537	+	Scholarships, Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarships, and any other 13
	4538	+	scholarship funded with net proceeds from the state lottery. 14
	4539	+	15
	4540	+	SECTION 93. Arkansas Code § 23 -115-801(c)(1)(C), concerning the 16
	4541	+	scholarship programs that the Commissioner of the Division of Higher 17
	4542	+	Education is required to certify funding for, is repealed. 18
	4543	+	(C) The Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program, 19
	4544	+	§ 6-85-401 et seq.; and 20
	4545	+	21
	4546	+	SECTION 94. Arkansas Code § 23 -115-801(c)(2)(D)(ii)(a), concerning the 22
	4547	+	distribution to recipients if funds remain after award of all scholarships 23
	4548	+	under the Arkansas Academic Challenge Program, is amended to read as follows: 24
	4549	+	(ii)(a) If available funds remain after the award of 25
	4550	+	all scholarships under the Arkansas Academic Challenge Program, § 6 -85-201 et 26
	4551	+	seq., then the available funds shall be distributed to recipients of 27
	4552	+	scholarships under the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -28
	4553	+	85-301 et seq., and the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program, § 29
	4554	+	6-85-401 et seq., on a pro rata basis as determined by the division. 30
3595	4555		31
3596		-	6-82-505. Limits for scholarship. 32
3597		-	(a) No child will be entitled to receive benefits under this 33
3598		-	subchapter during any semester or quarter when the child has reached twenty -34
3599		-	three (23) years of age on or before the first day of the semester or 35
3600		-	quarter. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3601		-
3602		-	91 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3603		-
3604		-
3605		-	(b) No spouse will be eligible for the education benefit if he or she 1
3606		-	remarries. The benefit will cease at the end of the semester at which the 2
3607		-	spouse is currently enrolled at the time of the marriage. 3
3608		-	4
3609		-	6-82-506. Written application for benefits. 5
3610		-	Any person claiming benefits awarded by the Arkansas State Claims 6
3611		-	Commission under the provisions of this subchapter shall make written 7
3612		-	application with the Division of Higher Education on forms provided by the 8
3613		-	division. 9
	4556	+	SECTION 95. Arkansas Code § 23 -115-802(c)(2) and (3), concerning the 32
	4557	+	process of using the Scholarship Shortfall Reserve Trust Account if net 33
	4558	+	proceeds are insufficient to meet scholarship funding, are amended to read as 34
	4559	+	follows: 35
	4560	+	(2) Except as provided in subdivision (c)(3)(B) of this section, 36 SB246
	4561	+
	4562	+	121 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4563	+	the Scholarship Shortfall Reserve Trust Account shall not be drawn upon to 1
	4564	+	fund Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarships under the Arkansas Workforce 2
	4565	+	Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-301 et seq., Arkansas Concurrent 3
	4566	+	Challenge Scholarships under the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship 4
	4567	+	Program, § 6-85-401 et seq., or any other scholarship funded with net 5
	4568	+	proceeds from the state lottery. 6
	4569	+	(3)(A) Determining the maximum amount of loans from the 7
	4570	+	Scholarship Shortfall Reserve Trust Account to the Arkansas Academic 8
	4571	+	Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-201 et seq., or the Arkansas Workforce 9
	4572	+	Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-301 et seq., or the Arkansas Concurrent 10
	4573	+	Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-401 et seq., is the prerogative of the 11
	4574	+	General Assembly. This is usually accomplished by the General Assembly's 12
	4575	+	delineating such funding allocations for the various scholarship programs, 13
	4576	+	with the approval of the Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Legislative 14
	4577	+	Council and through oversight as required by law by the Lottery Oversight 15
	4578	+	Subcommittee of the Legislative Council. Further, the General Assembly 16
	4579	+	determines that the Division of Higher Education may operate more efficiently 17
	4580	+	with some flexibility, therefore it is both necessary and appropriate that 18
	4581	+	the General Assembly maintain oversight by requiring prior approval of the 19
	4582	+	Legislative Council or the Joint Budget Committee as provided by this 20
	4583	+	section. 21
	4584	+	(B) If the division determines it is necessary to borrow 22
	4585	+	from the Scholarship Shortfall Reserve Trust Account to fund scholarships 23
	4586	+	under the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-201 et 24
	4587	+	seq., or the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-301 et 25
	4588	+	seq., or the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-401 et 26
	4589	+	seq., the division shall first obtain review and approval from the 27
	4590	+	Legislative Council or, if the General Assembly is in session, the Joint 28
	4591	+	Budget Committee. 29
	4592	+	30
	4593	+	SECTION 96. DO NOT CODIFY. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. If any provision of 31
	4594	+	this act or the application of this act to any person or circumstance is held 32
	4595	+	invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of 33
	4596	+	this act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or 34
	4597	+	application, and to this end, the provisions of this act are declared 35
	4598	+	severable. 36 SB246
	4599	+
	4600	+	122 02/17/2025 4:15:52 PM CRH173
	4601	+	1
	4602	+	SECTION 97. DO NOT CODIFY. Effective dates. 2
	4603	+	Sections 68, 73, 85, 86, 87, 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 of this act are 3
	4604	+	effective on and after June 30, 2026. 4
	4605	+	5
	4606	+	6
	4607	+	7
	4608	+	8
	4609	+	9
3614	4610		10
3615		-	6-82-507. Renewal of scholarship. 11
3616		-	To retain eligibility for a scholarship benefit under this subchapter, 12
3617		-	a recipient shall: 13
3618		-	(1) Maintain a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 14
3619		-	scholastic grading scale; and 15
3620		-	(2) Meet any other continuing eligibility criteria established 16
3621		-	by the Division of Higher Education. 17
3622		-	18
3623		-	SECTION 73. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-601(i)(3), concerning funding by 19
3624		-	certain scholarships related to tuition waivers for dependents of certain 20
3625		-	veterans, is amended to read as follows: 21
3626		-	(3) Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship, § 6 -85-401 et seq 22
3627		-	ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship, § 6 -85-701 et seq. 23
3628		-	24
3629		-	SECTION 74. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-1802(c), concerning continuing 25
3630		-	eligibility under the Arkansas Future Grant Program, is amended to read as 26
3631		-	follows: 27
3632		-	(c) A student may continue to be eligible until the student has: 28
3633		-	(1) Received the grant for five (5) academic semesters a maximum 29
3634		-	of seventy-five (75) course credit hours in which the student is enrolled ; 30
3635		-	(2) Obtained an associate degree; or 31
3636		-	(3) Failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress, as 32
3637		-	determined by the approved institution of higher education in which the 33
3638		-	student is enrolled; or 34
3639		-	(4) Failed to complete the mentoring or community service 35
3640		-	requirements under § 6 -82-1804. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3641		-
3642		-	92 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3643		-
3644		-
3645		-	1
3646		-	SECTION 75. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-1803(a)(1), concerning distribution 2
3647		-	of the Arkansas Future Grant Program, is amended to read as follows: 3
3648		-	(a)(1) An Arkansas Future Grant shall be in: 4
3649		-	(A) Distributed in accordance with the Division of Higher 5
3650		-	Education's stacking policy under § 6 -80-105; and 6
3651		-	(B) In an amount equal to the tuition, fees, and other 7
3652		-	charges incurred by a student who meets the requirements under § 6 -82-1802 to 8
3653		-	attend an approved institution of higher education less the amount the 9
3654		-	student receives in: 10
3655		-	(A) State-supported student financial assistance; 11
3656		-	(B) Federal student financial assistance; and 12
3657		-	(C) Private scholarships . 13
3658		-	14
3659		-	SECTION 76. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-1804(a), concerning the written 15
3660		-	agreement requirements for a recipient of an Arkansas Future Grant, is 16
3661		-	amended to read as follows: 17
3662		-	(a)(1) A student who receives an Arkansas Future Grant shall enter 18
3663		-	into a written agreement with the Division of Higher Education to : 19
3664		-	(1)(A) Receive monthly mentoring from a mentor from an 20
3665		-	organization determined by the Division of Higher Education. 21
3666		-	(B) A mentor under subdivision (a)(1)(A) of this section 22
3667		-	shall: 23
3668		-	(i) Receive annual mentoring training: 24
3669		-	(a) Developed by the Division of Higher 25
3670		-	Education; and 26
3671		-	(b) Provided by a local volunteer group 27
3672		-	approved by the Division of Higher Education; and 28
3673		-	(ii) Certify to the Division of Higher Education 29
3674		-	that at least one (1) time each semester the mentor has provided mentoring 30
3675		-	services by telephone, email, or in person to each student he or she is 31
3676		-	mentoring; 32
3677		-	(2)(A) Complete at least ten (10) hours of community service 33
3678		-	each semester the student receives a grant. 34
3679		-	(B)(i) A student may select a community service project 35
3680		-	that meets requirements developed by the Division of Higher Education. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3681		-
3682		-	93 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3683		-
3684		-
3685		-	(ii) An approved institution of higher education may 1
3686		-	provide community services opportunities designed to benefit the approved 2
3687		-	institution of higher education community or the broader local community. 3
3688		-	(C) A student shall certify his or her community service 4
3689		-	to the approved institution of higher education by the last regular day of 5
3690		-	the semester the student received the grant; and 6
3691		-	(3)(A) Reside reside in this state for three (3) consecutive 7
3692		-	years six (6) months and be employed beginning within six (6) months after 8
3693		-	receiving an associate degree or a certification. 9
3694		-	(B)(2) The Division of Higher Education may defer the 10
3695		-	requirement under subdivision (a)(3)(A) subdivision (a)(1) of this section 11
3696		-	if: 12
3697		-	(i)(A) The Division of Higher Education, in 13
3698		-	consultation with the Division of Workforce Services, determines that there 14
3699		-	was no employment position available that would reasonably enable the student 15
3700		-	to meet this requirement; or 16
3701		-	(ii)(B) Special circumstances as determined by the 17
3702		-	Division of Higher Education exist. 18
3703		-	(C)(3) After the period of deferral, the student shall 19
3704		-	begin or resume working in this state or become subject to repayment under 20
3705		-	subsection (b) of this section. 21
3706		-	22
3707		-	SECTION 77. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-2205(b), concerning the requirements 23
3708		-	for an eligible postsecondary institution under the Arkansas Teacher Academy 24
3709		-	Scholarship Program, is amended to read as follows: 25
3710		-	(b) An eligible postsecondary institution may : 26
3711		-	(1) Develop develop a portfolio of teacher preparation programs 27
3712		-	to offer as part of its Arkansas Teacher Academy ; 28
3713		-	(2)(A) Give priority to students in grades eleven (11) and 29
3714		-	twelve (12). 30
3715		-	(B) However, an eligible postsecondary institution shall 31
3716		-	not exclude students in grades nine (9) and ten (10) from its Arkansas 32
3717		-	Teacher Academy; and 33
3718		-	(3)(A) Use scholarship funds that exceed the cost of tuition and 34
3719		-	fees at the eligible postsecondary institution to support its Arkansas 35
3720		-	Teacher Academy costs. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3721		-
3722		-	94 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3723		-
3724		-
3725		-	(B) However, if a scholarship awarded to an academy 1
3726		-	attendee under this subchapter does not cover the eligible postsecondary 2
3727		-	institution's tuition and fees after an academy attendee receives all other 3
3728		-	financial gifts, financial aid, and grants, the eligible postsecondary 4
3729		-	institution shall not charge an academy attendee awarded a scholarship under 5
3730		-	this subchapter the remaining difference . 6
3731		-	7
3732		-	SECTION 78. Arkansas Code § 6 -82-2206(a), concerning scholarships 8
3733		-	under the Arkansas Teacher Academy Scholarship Program, is amended to read as 9
3734		-	follows: 10
3735		-	(a)(1) An Effective beginning the 2025-2026 academic year, an eligible 11
3736		-	postsecondary institution shall provide to each academy attendee who is 12
3737		-	accepted and enrolled in its Arkansas Teacher Academy program an annual 13
3738		-	scholarship, not to exceed the maximum award as determined by the Division of 14
3739		-	Higher Education each eligible semester, up to the actual cost of the: 15
3740		-	(A) Eligible postsecondary institution's tuition and fees 16
3741		-	for a maximum of: 17
3742		-	(i) Two (2) academic years , or four (4) academic 18
3743		-	semesters, not to exceed sixty (60) academic hours, or completion of the 19
3744		-	program for an academy attendee who is a graduate student enrolled in the 20
3745		-	Arkansas Teacher Academy at the eligible postsecondary institution; 21
3746		-	(ii) Four (4) academic years , or eight (8) academic 22
3747		-	semesters, not to exceed one hundred twenty (120) academic hours, or 23
3748		-	completion of the program for an undergraduate student enrolled in the 24
3749		-	Arkansas Teacher Academy at the eligible postsecondary institution; and 25
3750		-	(iii)(a) Two (2) academic years , or four (4) 26
3751		-	academic semesters, not to exceed sixty (60) academic hours, or completion of 27
3752		-	the program for a community college student enrolled in the Arkansas Teacher 28
3753		-	Academy at the eligible postsecondary institution. 29
3754		-	(b) A student who qualifies under subdivision 30
3755		-	(a)(1)(A)(iii)(a) of this section shall receive continued eligibility for two 31
3756		-	(2) additional academic years or four (4) additional academic semesters at a 32
3757		-	postsecondary institution that is an undergraduate institution; and 33
3758		-	(B) Obtainment of a teaching license issued by the State 34
3759		-	Board of Education, including without limitation the actual cost of one (1) 35
3760		-	exam required for obtaining a teaching license issued by the state board. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3761		-
3762		-	95 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3763		-
3764		-
3765		-	(2) A scholarship distributed to an academy attendee under 1
3766		-	subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall be distributed only after all other 2
3767		-	financial gifts, financial aid, and grants have been received by an academy 3
3768		-	attendee enrolled in an Arkansas Teacher Academy at an eligible postsecondary 4
3769		-	institution in accordance with the division's scholarship stacking policy 5
3770		-	under § 6-80-105. 6
3771		-	(3) In compliance with the division's scholarship stacking 7
3772		-	policy, a student's total financial aid package, which can include multiple 8
3773		-	scholarships, shall not exceed the recognized cost of attendance at a state -9
3774		-	supported institution of higher education. 10
3775		-	11
3776		-	SECTION 79. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 82 is amended to add 12
3777		-	additional subchapters to read as follows: 13
3778		-	Subchapter 25 — Arkansas Heroes Scholarship Act 14
3779		-	15
3780		-	6-82-2501. Title. 16
3781		-	This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Arkansas Heroes 17
3782		-	Scholarship Act". 18
3783		-	19
3784		-	6-82-2502. Purpose. 20
3785		-	The purpose of this subchapter is to create a scholarship to be known 21
3786		-	as the "Arkansas Heroes Scholarship" that honors the heroic efforts of the 22
3787		-	individuals who served as Arkansas's heroes and their families. 23
3788		-	24
3789		-	6-82-2503. Definitions. 25
3790		-	(a) As used in this subchapter: 26
3791		-	(1) “Arkansas hero” means: 27
3792		-	(A) One (1) of the following who suffers a fatal injury or 28
3793		-	wound or becomes permanently and totally disabled as a result of injuries or 29
3794		-	wounds that occurred in the performance of a hazardous duty within the scope 30
3795		-	of his or her employment or that occurred en route to or returning from a 31
3796		-	location where a hazardous situation existed: 32
3797		-	(i) A law enforcement officer; 33
3798		-	(ii) A firefighter; 34
3799		-	(iii) An emergency medical technician; 35
3800		-	(iv) A state highway employee; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3801		-
3802		-	96 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3803		-
3804		-
3805		-	(v) A state correction employee; 1
3806		-	(vi) A Division of Community Correction employee; 2
3807		-	(vii) A state parks employee; or 3
3808		-	(viii) A state forestry employee; 4
3809		-	(B) A disabled veteran; 5
3810		-	(C) A prisoner of war; 6
3811		-	(D) A recipient of a Medal of Honor or Purple Heart; 7
3812		-	(E) A person declared to be missing in action or killed in 8
3813		-	action; 9
3814		-	(F) A person killed on ordnance delivery; 10
3815		-	(G) A teacher who suffers a fatal injury or wound or 11
3816		-	becomes permanently and totally disabled as a result of injuries or wounds 12
3817		-	that occurred due to an act of violence at a public school or open -enrollment 13
3818		-	charter school in this state; 14
3819		-	(2) “Child” means a natural child, an adopted child, or a 15
3820		-	stepchild who is eligible to receive a scholarship under this subchapter; 16
3821		-	(3) “Disabled veteran” means a person who has been awarded 17
3822		-	either: 18
3823		-	(A) United States Armed Forces disability retirement 19
3824		-	benefits; or 20
3825		-	(B) Special monthly compensation by the United States 21
3826		-	Department of Veterans Affairs for service -connected, one hundred percent 22
3827		-	(100%) total and permanent disability; 23
3828		-	(4) “Division of Community Correction employee” means an 24
3829		-	employee of the Division of Community Correction who suffers a fatal injury 25
3830		-	or wound or becomes permanently and totally disabled because of an injury or 26
3831		-	wound that occurred through contact with a parolee, probationer, or center 27
3832		-	resident; 28
3833		-	(5)(A) “Emergency medical services personnel” means an 29
3834		-	individual licensed by the Department of Health at any level established by 30
3835		-	the rules adopted by the State Board of Health under the Emergency Medical 31
3836		-	Services Act, § 20-13-201 et seq., and authorized to perform the services 32
3837		-	under the rules. 33
3838		-	(B) "Emergency medical services personnel" includes 34
3839		-	without limitation: 35
3840		-	(i) An emergency medical technician; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3841		-
3842		-	97 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3843		-
3844		-
3845		-	(ii) An advanced emergency medical technician; 1
3846		-	(iii) A paramedic; 2
3847		-	(iv) An emergency medical services instructor; and 3
3848		-	(v) An emergency medical services instructor 4
3849		-	trainer; 5
3850		-	(6) “Firefighter” means a firefighter employed on a full -time or 6
3851		-	volunteer status while actually engaged in the performance of his or her 7
3852		-	duties; 8
3853		-	(7) “Law enforcement officer” means a: 9
3854		-	(A) Constable, including without limitation all elected 10
3855		-	constables of any beat of any county within the state while actually engaged 11
3856		-	in the performance of his or her duties concerning the criminal laws of the 12
3857		-	county and state; 13
3858		-	(B) Game warden, including without limitation all 14
3859		-	appointed game wardens employed by the state on a full -time status while 15
3860		-	actually engaged in his or her duties concerning the game laws of this state; 16
3861		-	(C)(i) Municipal and a state -supported institution of 17
3862		-	higher education police officer, including without limitation all law 18
3863		-	enforcement officers of any municipality or state -supported institution of 19
3864		-	higher education who are regular duty personnel on full -time status. 20
3865		-	(ii) Municipal and a state -supported institution of 21
3866		-	higher education police officer does not include auxiliary officers or those 22
3867		-	serving on a temporary or part -time status; 23
3868		-	(D)(i) Sheriff or deputy sheriff, including without 24
3869		-	limitation all law enforcement officers on full -time status on a regular 25
3870		-	basis serving the sheriff's department of any county. 26
3871		-	(ii) Sheriff or deputy sheriff does not include a 27
3872		-	deputy sheriff who is: 28
3873		-	(a) Engaged in administrative or civil duty; 29
3874		-	or 30
3875		-	(b) Serving in a temporary capacity or part -31
3876		-	time status; 32
3877		-	(E) State highway patrolman, including without limitation 33
3878		-	any law enforcement officer, regardless of department or bureau, of the 34
3879		-	Division of Arkansas State Police; and 35
3880		-	(F) Any other person employed by the State of Arkansas or 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3881		-
3882		-	98 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3883		-
3884		-
3885		-	a political subdivision of the State of Arkansas as an appointed law 1
3886		-	enforcement officer who is responsible for the prevention and detection of 2
3887		-	crime and the enforcement of the criminal, traffic, or highway laws of this 3
3888		-	state; 4
3889		-	(8) “Ordnance delivery” means the piloting of or flying in an 5
3890		-	experimental or test aircraft while determining its fitness or ability to 6
3891		-	perform its military function or mission; 7
3892		-	(9)(A) “Prisoner of war”, “person missing in action”, “person 8
3893		-	killed in action”, and “person killed on ordnance delivery” mean a person 9
3894		-	who: 10
3895		-	(i) Was a legal resident of the State of Arkansas at 11
3896		-	the time that person entered the service of the United States Armed Forces or 12
3897		-	whose official residence is within the State of Arkansas; and 13
3898		-	(ii) Who, while serving in the United States Armed 14
3899		-	Forces, has been declared to be a prisoner of war, a person missing in 15
3900		-	action, a person killed in action as established by the United States 16
3901		-	Secretary of Defense after January 1, 1960, or a person killed on ordnance 17
3902		-	delivery. 18
3903		-	(B) “Prisoner of war”, “person missing in action”, “person 19
3904		-	killed in action”, and “person killed on ordnance delivery” apply whether or 20
3905		-	not capture or death occurred during a declared war or as a result of hostile 21
3906		-	action. 22
3907		-	(C) A death as a result of injuries received while serving 23
3908		-	in the United States Armed Forces or Arkansas National Guard is only covered 24
3909		-	by this subdivision (a)(9) if the death occurred while on active duty or 25
3910		-	state active duty; 26
3911		-	(10) “State correction employee” means an employee of the 27
3912		-	Division of Correction or the Arkansas Correctional School District who 28
3913		-	becomes subject to injury through contact with an inmate or parolee of the 29
3914		-	Division of Correction; 30
3915		-	(11) “State forestry employee” means an employee of the Arkansas 31
3916		-	Forestry Commission who is actively engaged in his or her duties of fighting 32
3917		-	forest fires; 33
3918		-	(12) “State highway employee” means an employee of the Arkansas 34
3919		-	Department of Transportation who actively engages in highway maintenance, 35
3920		-	construction, or traffic operations on the roadways and bridges of the state 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3921		-
3922		-	99 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3923		-
3924		-
3925		-	highway system while the roadways and bridges are open for use by the 1
3926		-	traveling public; 2
3927		-	(13) “State parks employee” means an employee of the Department 3
3928		-	of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism who is a commissioned law enforcement officer 4
3929		-	or emergency response employee while actively engaged in the performance of 5
3930		-	his or her duties; 6
3931		-	(14) “Teacher” means a person employed by a public school 7
3932		-	district for the purpose of providing direct instruction to students and 8
3933		-	whose employment requires state certification; and 9
3934		-	(15) “United States Armed Forces dependent” means a spouse, a 10
3935		-	child born to or conceived by, an adopted child, a child under legal 11
3936		-	guardianship, or a stepchild of a: 12
3937		-	(A) Disabled veteran; 13
3938		-	(B) Prisoner of war; or 14
3939		-	(C) Person declared to be: 15
3940		-	(i) Missing in action; 16
3941		-	(ii) Killed in action; or 17
3942		-	(iii) Killed on ordnance delivery. 18
3943		-	19
3944		-	6-82-2504. Rules. 20
3945		-	The Division of Higher Education may promulgate rules to implement this 21
3946		-	subchapter. 22
3947		-	23
3948		-	6-82-2505. Eligibility for Arkansas Heroes Scholarship. 24
3949		-	(a) Eligibility for the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship requires one (1) 25
3950		-	of the following: 26
3951		-	(1) The student has been a legal Arkansas resident for at least 27
3952		-	one (1) year before submitting a scholarship application; 28
3953		-	(2) The student was born before the date of the death or 29
3954		-	disability of the Arkansas hero; or 30
3955		-	(3) The Arkansas hero or the spouse of the Arkansas hero was 31
3956		-	pregnant with the student at the time of the death or disability of the 32
3957		-	Arkansas hero. 33
3958		-	(b) In order for an adopted child to be eligible to receive a 34
3959		-	scholarship benefit: 35
3960		-	(1) The adopted child is required to have been adopted before 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
3961		-
3962		-	100 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
3963		-
3964		-
3965		-	the date of the death or disability of the Arkansas hero; or 1
3966		-	(2) The adopted child's adoption process is required to have 2
3967		-	begun before the date of the death or disability of the Arkansas hero. 3
3968		-	(c) In order for a stepchild under nineteen (19) years of age to be 4
3969		-	eligible to receive a scholarship benefit, the stepchild under nineteen (19) 5
3970		-	years of age shall have: 6
3971		-	(1) Been listed as a dependent on the federal and state income 7
3972		-	tax returns of the Arkansas hero in each of the five (5) income years 8
3973		-	immediately before the date of the death or disability of the Arkansas hero; 9
3974		-	and 10
3975		-	(2) Received more than one -half (1/2) of his or her financial 11
3976		-	support from the Arkansas hero in each of the five (5) income years 12
3977		-	immediately before the date of the death or disability of the Arkansas hero. 13
3978		-	(d) In order for a stepchild who is nineteen (19) years of age or 14
3979		-	older to be eligible to receive a scholarship benefit, the stepchild who is 15
3980		-	nineteen (19) years or older shall have: 16
3981		-	(1) Been listed as a dependent on the federal and state income 17
3982		-	tax returns of the Arkansas hero in at least five (5) of the eight (8) income 18
3983		-	years immediately before the date of the death or disability of the Arkansas 19
3984		-	hero; and 20
3985		-	(2) Received more than one -half (1/2) of his or her financial 21
3986		-	support from the Arkansas hero in at least five (5) of the eight (8) income 22
3987		-	years immediately before the date of the death or disability of the Arkansas 23
3988		-	hero. 24
3989		-	(e) If a covered public employee, as defined in § 21 -5-701, or his or 25
3990		-	her heirs did not file for the available death or disability benefit but were 26
3991		-	otherwise eligible to receive the death or disability benefit within the time 27
3992		-	frame provided in § 21 -5-703, then the covered public employee's child or 28
3993		-	children who would have otherwise been eligible to receive the provided 29
3994		-	educational scholarship benefit under this section may individually file 30
3995		-	before his or her twenty -first birthday a claim to receive the provided 31
3996		-	educational scholarship benefit if: 32
3997		-	(1) The student is considered a United States Armed Forces 33
3998		-	dependent as provided in § 6 -82-2503; or 34
3999		-	(2) The student is a dependent of an Arkansas hero who suffered 35
4000		-	fatal injuries or wounds or becomes disabled as a result of injuries or 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4001		-
4002		-	101 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4003		-
4004		-
4005		-	wounds that occurred in the performance of a hazardous duty within the scope 1
4006		-	of his or her employment or that occurred en route to or returning from a 2
4007		-	location where a hazardous situation existed. 3
4008		-	(f) Scholarship benefits may not accrue under this subchapter to a 4
4009		-	person if the wound or injury suffered by an Arkansas hero is self -inflicted 5
4010		-	or if the death of an Arkansas hero is self -inflicted. 6
4011		-	(g) Unless subsection (e) of this section is applicable, the Arkansas 7
4012		-	State Claims Commission shall award any scholarship benefit provided by this 8
4013		-	subchapter at the same time that any death benefit or disability benefit is 9
4014		-	awarded by the commission under the provisions of § 21 -5-701 et seq. 10
4015		-	11
4016		-	6-82-2506. Eligibility restrictions. 12
4017		-	(a) A child shall not be entitled to receive benefits under this 13
4018		-	subchapter during any semester or quarter when the child has reached twenty -14
4019		-	six (26) years of age on or before the first day of the semester or quarter. 15
4020		-	(b)(1) A spouse shall not be eligible to receive benefits under this 16
4021		-	subchapter if he or she remarries. 17
4022		-	(2) The benefits under this subchapter shall cease at the end of 18
4023		-	the semester in which the spouse is currently enrolled at the time of the 19
4024		-	marriage. 20
4025		-	21
4026		-	6-82-2507. Applications. 22
4027		-	(a) An eligible student shall apply to the Division of Higher 23
4028		-	Education for benefits under this subchapter. 24
4029		-	(b) A United States Armed Forces dependent shall: 25
4030		-	(1) Apply for the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational 26
4031		-	Assistance program, 38 U.S.C. § 3500 et seq., as it existed on January 1, 27
4032		-	2025, with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; and 28
4033		-	(2) Provide the division with proof of: 29
4034		-	(A) Acceptance into the Survivors’ and Dependents’ 30
4035		-	Educational Assistance program; or 31
4036		-	(B) Noneligibility for the Survivors’ and Dependents’ 32
4037		-	Educational Assistance program following application. 33
4038		-	(c) Except as provided under subsection (d) of this section, a 34
4039		-	dependent of an Arkansas hero, upon his or her being accepted for enrollment 35
4040		-	into any private, nonprofit institution of higher education in the State of 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4041		-
4042		-	102 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4043		-
4044		-
4045		-	Arkansas or a state-supported institution of higher education in the State of 1
4046		-	Arkansas, may obtain his or her first bachelor's degree for so long as he or 2
4047		-	she is eligible with state assistance for tuition, fees, or other charges as 3
4048		-	provided under this subsection. 4
4049		-	(d)(1) The state assistance under this subchapter is limited to the 5
4050		-	tuition, fees, or other charges that exceed the amount of monetary benefits 6
4051		-	the dependent is eligible to receive from the Survivors' and Dependents' 7
4052		-	Educational Assistance program during the months included in each semester in 8
4053		-	which the dependent is enrolled. 9
4054		-	(2) If the dependent is not eligible for monetary benefits from 10
4055		-	the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance program but is eligible 11
4056		-	for the benefits under this subchapter, the dependent may obtain a bachelor's 12
4057		-	degree free of tuition, fees, or other charges from a private, nonprofit 13
4058		-	institution of higher education in this state or a state -supported 14
4059		-	institution of higher education in this state. 15
4060		-	(3) However, the state assistance awarded to a dependent 16
4061		-	attending a private, nonprofit institution of higher education in this state 17
4062		-	shall not exceed the maximum amount of state assistance awarded to dependents 18
4063		-	attending a state-supported institution of higher education in this state. 19
4064		-	(e) Once a person qualifies as a dependent under this subchapter, 20
4065		-	there shall be no situation such as the return of the parent or the reported 21
4066		-	death of the parent that will remove the dependent from the provisions or 22
4067		-	benefits of this subchapter. 23
4068		-	(f) An eligible recipient shall receive a scholarship for one (1) 24
4069		-	academic year, renewable for up to three (3) additional academic years if the 25
4070		-	recipient meets continuing eligibility criteria established by the division. 26
4071		-	(g) In compliance with the division's scholarship stacking policy, a 27
4072		-	student's total financial aid package, which can include multiple 28
4073		-	scholarships, shall not exceed the recognized cost of attendance at a state -29
4074		-	supported institution of higher education. 30
4075		-	(h) In the event the number of students who qualify for a scholarship 31
4076		-	under this subchapter during an academic year exceeds the amount of funds 32
4077		-	appropriated to the Higher Education Grants Fund Account for purposes of 33
4078		-	funding students who qualify for scholarship under this subchapter during the 34
4079		-	given academic year, the excess awards that qualify for distribution under 35
4080		-	this subchapter shall be funded with any net proceeds from the state lottery 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4081		-
4082		-	103 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4083		-
4084		-
4085		-	remaining after the division allocates sufficient funding to award the 1
4086		-	following scholarships at levels equivalent to the awards made in the 2
4087		-	previous academic year: 3
4088		-	(1) Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, § 6 -85-201 et seq.; 4
4089		-	and 5
4090		-	(2) Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship, § 6 -85-301 et seq. 6
4091		-	7
4092		-	6-82-2508. Scholarship funding and continued eligibility. 8
4093		-	(a) The state assistance under this subchapter is limited to the 9
4094		-	tuition, fees, and other expenses required for the first bachelor’s degree 10
4095		-	earned by the dependent. 11
4096		-	(b)(1) An eligible dependent shall be entitled to a total of eight (8) 12
4097		-	semesters, or the equivalent thereof, of scholarship awards without cost, 13
4098		-	exclusive of books, food, school supplies, materials, and dues or fees for 14
4099		-	extracurricular activities, at any state -supported institution of higher 15
4100		-	education or technical institute of his or her choice within this state. 16
4101		-	(2) The eligible dependent may take up to four (4) semesters, or 17
4102		-	the equivalent thereof, at a technical institute. 18
4103		-	(c) To retain eligibility for a scholarship benefit under this 19
4104		-	subchapter, a recipient shall: 20
4105		-	(1) Maintain a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 21
4106		-	scholastic grading scale; and 22
4107		-	(2) Meet any other continuing eligibility criteria established 23
4108		-	by the Division of Higher Education. 24
4109		-	(d) If a recipient fails to meet eligibility criteria, he or she may 25
4110		-	apply for state assistance under this subchapter a maximum of one (1) 26
4111		-	additional time once eligibility is reestablished. 27
4112		-	28
4113		-	Subchapter 26 — Governor's Higher Education Transition Scholarship Program 29
4114		-	30
4115		-	6-82-2601. Title. 31
4116		-	This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Governor's 32
4117		-	Higher Education Transition Scholarship Program". 33
4118		-	34
4119		-	6-82-2602. Definitions. 35
4120		-	As used in this subchapter: 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4121		-
4122		-	104 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4123		-
4124		-
4125		-	(1) "Eligible student" means an Arkansas student with a 1
4126		-	disability admitted to a qualifying program at a state-supported institution 2
4127		-	of higher education; 3
4128		-	(2) "Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council" means the 4
4129		-	independent, nonprofit accreditation agency for postsecondary programs for 5
4130		-	students with an intellectual disability; and 6
4131		-	(3) "Qualifying program" means a postsecondary education program 7
4132		-	for a student with an intellectual disability that is accredited by the 8
4133		-	Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council. 9
4134		-	10
4135		-	6-82-2603. Creation — Eligibility. 11
4136		-	(a) There is established the Governor's Higher Education Transition 12
4137		-	Scholarship Program within the Division of Higher Education. 13
4138		-	(b) An eligible student who receives a Governor's Higher Education 14
4139		-	Transition Scholarship shall maintain eligibility for up to eight (8) 15
4140		-	continuous semesters or until credentialing is obtained, whichever occurs 16
4141		-	first. 17
4142		-	18
4143		-	6-82-2604. Scholarship awards. 19
4144		-	(a) Scholarship awards under this subchapter are contingent upon 20
4145		-	availability of funds. 21
4146		-	(b)(1) Scholarship awards shall not exceed the institutional cost of 22
4147		-	attendance. 23
4148		-	(2) The maximum award amount per qualifying semester that a 24
4149		-	student may receive is two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500). 25
4150		-	(3) A scholarship award may be applied to tuition, mandatory 26
4151		-	fees, programmatic fees, room and board, supplies, and extended support 27
4152		-	services. 28
4153		-	29
4154		-	6-82-2605. Rules. 30
4155		-	The Division of Higher Education may promulgate rules to govern 31
4156		-	administration of the Governor's Higher Education Transition Scholarship 32
4157		-	Program, including without limitation application forms and deadlines. 33
4158		-	34
4159		-	SECTION 80. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-207 is amended to read as follows: 35
4160		-	6-85-207. Additional eligibility requirements for traditional students. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4161		-
4162		-	105 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4163		-
4164		-
4165		-	In addition to the basic eligibility requirements of § 6 -85-206, an 1
4166		-	applicant is eligible as a traditional student if the applicant either: 2
4167		-	(1)(A) Graduated from an Arkansas public high school and has a 3
4168		-	minimum superscore of nineteen (19) on the ACT or the equivalent score on an 4
4169		-	ACT equivalent; or 5
4170		-	(B) Upon graduation from high school: 6
4171		-	(i) Achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.0 7
4172		-	during high school; 8
4173		-	(ii) Completed at least one (1) college readiness 9
4174		-	assessment; and 10
4175		-	(iii)(a) Achieved a diploma of merit as defined in 11
4176		-	rules promulgated by the State Board of Education. 12
4177		-	(b) Proof of attainment of the diploma of 13
4178		-	merit under subdivision (1)(B)(iii)(a) of this section shall be submitted 14
4179		-	with the student's scholarship application; or 15
4180		-	(2)(A) Has a disability identified under the Individuals with 16
4181		-	Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., as it existed on July 17
4182		-	1, 2009, and graduated from an Arkansas public high school, and either: meets 18
4183		-	the requirements defined in subdivision (1) of this section. 19
4184		-	(A) Had a minimum composite score of nineteen (19) on the 20
4185		-	ACT or the equivalent score on an ACT equivalent; or 21
4186		-	(B) Scored proficient or higher on all state -mandated end-22
4187		-	of-course assessments, including without limitation end -of-course assessments 23
4188		-	on: 24
4189		-	(i) Algebra I; 25
4190		-	(ii) Geometry; 26
4191		-	(iii) Biology; and 27
4192		-	(iv) Literacy; 28
4193		-	(3) Achieved a minimum superscore of nineteen (19) on the ACT or 29
4194		-	the equivalent score on an ACT equivalent and: 30
4195		-	(B) A student shall also meet one (1) of the following 31
4196		-	eligibility requirements: 32
4197		-	(A) Graduated (i) Graduate from a private high school, an 33
4198		-	out-of-state high school, or a home school high school; or 34
4199		-	(B)(ii) In the year in which the student would have been a 35
4200		-	junior or senior in high school, completed the requirements for high school 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4201		-
4202		-	106 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4203		-
4204		-
4205		-	graduation and obtained a high school equivalency diploma approved by the 1
4206		-	Adult Education Section instead of receiving a diploma; or 2
4207		-	(4)(iii) Meets one (1) of the following criteria: 3
4208		-	(A)(a) Was enrolled at an institution of higher education 4
4209		-	in the immediately preceding academic year as a full -time, first-time 5
4210		-	freshman; 6
4211		-	(B)(b) Did not receive a scholarship under this subchapter 7
4212		-	as a full-time, first-time freshman; 8
4213		-	(C)(c) Successfully completed with the equivalent of a 9
4214		-	minimum letter grade of “D” at least twenty -seven (27) semester hours of 10
4215		-	courses as a full-time, first-time freshman; and or 11
4216		-	(D)(d) Achieved a postsecondary grade point average of at 12
4217		-	least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale as a full -time, first-time freshman. 13
4218		-	14
4219		-	SECTION 81. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-212(d)(1)(A), concerning scholarship 15
4220		-	award amounts under the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program, is 16
4221		-	amended to read as follows: 17
4222		-	(d)(1)(A) Subject to the availability of net revenue, the scholarship 18
4223		-	award amount under this subchapter for an academic year for a full -time 19
4224		-	recipient enrolled in a four -year approved institution of higher education 20
4225		-	is: 21
4226		-	(i) One Two thousand dollars ($1,000) ($2,000) for a 22
4227		-	recipient who has earned less than twenty -seven (27) semester credit hours; 23
4228		-	(ii) Four thousand dollars ($4,000) for a recipient 24
4229		-	who has earned at least twenty -seven (27) semester credit hours but less than 25
4230		-	fifty-seven (57) semester credit hours; 26
4231		-	(iii) Four thousand dollars ($4,000) for a recipient 27
4232		-	who has earned at least fifty -seven (57) semester credit hours but less than 28
4233		-	eighty-seven (87) semester credit hours; and 29
4234		-	(iv)(a) Five thousand dollars ($5,000) for a 30
4235		-	recipient who has earned at least eighty -seven (87) semester credit hours but 31
4236		-	no more than one hundred twenty (120) semester credit hours unless the 32
4237		-	recipient is enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program that requires more 33
4238		-	than one hundred twenty (120) semester credit hours, but not more than one 34
4239		-	hundred thirty (130) semester credit hours, as provided under § 6 -61-232, 35
4240		-	then up to the number of credit hours required to complete the baccalaureate 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4241		-
4242		-	107 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4243		-
4244		-
4245		-	program. 1
4246		-	(b) A recipient shall receive no more than one 2
4247		-	(1) year of the scholarship provided under subdivision (d)(1)(A)(iv)(a) of 3
4248		-	this section unless the recipient is enrolled in a baccalaureate degree 4
4249		-	program that requires more than one hundred twenty (120) semester credit 5
4250		-	hours as provided under § 6 -61-232. 6
4251		-	(c)(1) A recipient who is eligible to receive 7
4252		-	the scholarship under subdivision (d)(1)(A)(iv)(a) of this section may 8
4253		-	receive the scholarship while enrolled in a semester as a part -time student. 9
4254		-	(2) The scholarship amount for the 10
4255		-	semester in which a recipient is enrolled as a part -time student under 11
4256		-	subdivision (d)(1)(A)(iv)(c)(1) of this section shall may be prorated by the 12
4257		-	number of credit hours in which the recipient is enrolled. 13
4258		-	14
4259		-	SECTION 82. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-212(d)(1)(C), concerning the 15
4260		-	authorization for an applicant to elect for earned semester credit hours to 16
4261		-	be only those earned after graduating from high school or obtaining a high 17
4262		-	school equivalency diploma, is repealed. 18
4263		-	(C)(i) An applicant may elect for the earned semester 19
4264		-	credit hours under subdivision (d)(1)(A) of this section to be only those 20
4265		-	semester credit hours earned after graduating from high school or obtaining a 21
4266		-	high school equivalency diploma approved by the Adult Education Section. 22
4267		-	(ii) If an applicant makes the election under 23
4268		-	subdivision (d)(1)(C)(i) of this section, any semester credit hours earned 24
4269		-	through concurrent credit or any other method before graduating high school 25
4270		-	or obtaining a high school equivalency diploma approved by the Adult 26
4271		-	Education Section shall not be counted as earned semester credit hours for 27
4272		-	the purposes of determining a recipient's scholarship award amount under 28
4273		-	subdivision (d)(1)(A) of this section. 29
4274		-	30
4275		-	SECTION 83. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-212(d)(3), concerning scholarship 31
4276		-	award amounts for certain institutions of higher education under the Arkansas 32
4277		-	Challenge Scholarship Program, is amended to read as follows: 33
4278		-	(3) Subject to the availability of net revenue, the scholarship 34
4279		-	award for an academic year for a full -time student enrolled in one (1) of the 35
4280		-	following institutions of higher education is one two thousand dollars 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4281		-
4282		-	108 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4283		-
4284		-
4285		-	($1,000) ($2,000) for the first year and three thousand dollars ($3,000) for 1
4286		-	the second year: 2
4287		-	(A) A two-year approved institution of higher education; 3
4288		-	(B) A branch campus of a four -year approved institution of 4
4289		-	higher education; or 5
4290		-	(C) An approved school of nursing. 6
4291		-	7
4292		-	SECTION 84. Arkansas Code § 6-85-302 is amended to read as follows: 8
4293		-	6-85-302. Definitions. 9
4294		-	As used in this subchapter: 10
4295		-	(1) "Academic year" means a measure of the academic work to be 11
4296		-	accomplished by a student through the fall, spring, and summer semesters, or 12
4297		-	the equivalent of the fall, spring, and summer semesters, in that order; 13
4298		-	(2) “Approved institution of higher education” means an 14
4299		-	institution of higher education approved by the Division of Higher Education 15
4300		-	to participate in the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program and 16
4301		-	that is: 17
4302		-	(A) A state-supported two-year or four-year college or 18
4303		-	university institution of higher education ; or 19
4304		-	(B) A private, nonprofit two -year or four-year college or 20
4305		-	university with its primary headquarters located in Arkansas that is eligible 21
4306		-	to receive Title IV federal student aid funds; or 22
4307		-	(C) A public or private vocational -technical school that 23
4308		-	is: 24
4309		-	(i) Included on the Workforce Innovation and 25
4310		-	Opportunity Act eligible training provider list; 26
4311		-	(ii) Qualified to receive approval for veterans' 27
4312		-	education benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; or 28
4313		-	(iii) Included on the State Board of Private Career 29
4314		-	Education list; and 30
4315		-	(2)(A)(3)(A) “Certificate program” means a program that is 31
4316		-	offered or made available to a student by an approved institution of higher 32
4317		-	education that leads to the obtainment of a certification or license, 33
4318		-	including without limitation a program operated or sponsored by a third 34
4319		-	party. 35
4320		-	(B) "Certificate program" is determined by the division 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4321		-
4322		-	109 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4323		-
4324		-
4325		-	and includes without limitation the following: 1
4326		-	(i) Advanced manufacturing; 2
4327		-	(ii) Health care; 3
4328		-	(iii) Information technology; 4
4329		-	(iv) Construction trades; or 5
4330		-	(v) Logistics and distribution. 6
4331		-	(C) The credit hours or contact hours awarded for a 7
4332		-	certificate program may include credit hours or contact hours that are not 8
4333		-	creditable toward an associate or a baccalaureate degree. 9
4334		-	10
4335		-	SECTION 85. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-304(a), concerning student 11
4336		-	eligibility under the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program, is 12
4337		-	amended to read as follows: 13
4338		-	(a) A student is eligible to receive an Arkansas Workforce Challenge 14
4339		-	Scholarship for an academic year if the student applies to the Division of 15
4340		-	Higher Education an approved institution of higher education by a date 16
4341		-	determined by the Division of Higher Education preceding the academic year 17
4342		-	and: 18
4343		-	(1) Is an a legal Arkansas resident or, if the student is less 19
4344		-	than twenty-one (21) years of age, either the student or one (1) parent of 20
4345		-	the student is an a legal Arkansas resident; 21
4346		-	(2) Meets either of the following requirements: 22
4347		-	(A) Graduated from a: 23
4348		-	(i) Public high school in Arkansas or another state; 24
4349		-	(ii) Private high school in Arkansas or another 25
4350		-	state; or 26
4351		-	(iii) Home school under § 6 -15-501 et seq. or 27
4352		-	recognized by another state; or 28
4353		-	(B) Received a high school equivalency diploma approved by 29
4354		-	the Adult Education Section or another state; 30
4355		-	(3) Is not receiving a scholarship under the Arkansas Academic 31
4356		-	Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-201 et seq.; and 32
4357		-	(4) Is accepted for admission in a program of study at an 33
4358		-	approved institution of higher education that leads to an associate degree or 34
4359		-	a certificate program in one (1) of the following high-demand fields: 35
4360		-	described in § 6-85-302. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4361		-
4362		-	110 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4363		-
4364		-
4365		-	(A) Industry; 1
4366		-	(B) Health care; and 2
4367		-	(C) Information technology; and 3
4368		-	(5)(A) Whose program of study or certificate program will result 4
4369		-	in the student's being qualified to work in an occupation identified by the 5
4370		-	Division of Workforce Services under subdivision (a)(5)(B)(i) of this 6
4371		-	section. 7
4372		-	(B)(i) The Division of Workforce Services shall provide 8
4373		-	annually to the Division of Higher Education by March 1 a list that 9
4374		-	identifies the five (5) most in -demand occupations in this state in each 10
4375		-	high-demand field under subdivision (a)(4) of this section that require the 11
4376		-	completion of a program of study that leads to an associate degree or a 12
4377		-	certificate program. 13
4378		-	(ii) The Division of Workforce Services shall publish 14
4379		-	on its website the list under subdivision (a)(5)(B)(i) of this section and 15
4380		-	data supporting the list. 16
4381		-	17
4382		-	SECTION 86. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-305 is amended to read as follows: 18
4383		-	6-85-305. Distribution — Award amounts. 19
4384		-	(a)(1) If funds are available, the Division of Higher Education shall 20
4385		-	distribute Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarships to all students who meet 21
4386		-	the requirements under § 6-85-304 6-85-302(2). 22
4387		-	(2) Up to five million dollars ($5,000,000) shall be allocated 23
4388		-	for students eligible under § 6 -85-302(2)(C). 24
4389		-	(b)(1) The division shall distribute scholarships from the funds 25
4390		-	available in an equal amount to every student eligible to receive a 26
4391		-	scholarship under this subchapter. 27
4392		-	(2) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the 28
4393		-	The maximum scholarship award a student may receive in an academic year shall 29
4394		-	be the lesser of: program costs or three thousand dollars ($3,000). 30
4395		-	(A) Eight hundred dollars ($800); or 31
4396		-	(B)(i) The cost of the certificate program or program of 32
4397		-	study. 33
4398		-	(ii) The cost of a certificate program or program of 34
4399		-	study shall include: 35
4400		-	(a) Tuition, fees, or other charges; 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4401		-
4402		-	111 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4403		-
4404		-
4405		-	(b) Textbooks or other course materials; and 1
4406		-	(c) Equipment needed for a course. 2
4407		-	(3)(2) The scholarship awards may be used for expenses included 3
4408		-	in the cost of the certificate program or program of study. 4
4409		-	(4)(3) A scholarship under this section shall be only for the 5
4410		-	academic year for which it is awarded. 6
4411		-	(4)(A) The division shall collaborate with the Office of Skills 7
4412		-	Development to establish the criteria to be used to determine the eligibility 8
4413		-	of students under § 6 -85-302(1)(C), which shall be included in rules 9
4414		-	promulgated by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 10
4415		-	(B) The office shall: 11
4416		-	(i) Use the criteria established under subdivision 12
4417		-	(b)(4)(A) of this section to determine the eligibility of students under § 6 -13
4418		-	85-302(1)(C); and 14
4419		-	(ii) Provide the necessary information regarding 15
4420		-	eligible students to the division to enable the division to distribute 16
4421		-	scholarship awards on behalf of an eligible student directly to the approved 17
4422		-	institution of higher education. 18
4423		-	(c)(1) If the division has funds remaining after making the 19
4424		-	distributions under subsection (b) of this section, the division shall 20
4425		-	distribute scholarships to students for the summer term of the academic year. 21
4426		-	(2) If funds are available under subdivision (c)(1) of this 22
4427		-	section, a student shall apply for a scholarship for a summer term by a date 23
4428		-	determined by the division preceding the summer term. 24
4429		-	(3)(A) The division shall distribute scholarships for a summer 25
4430		-	term in the same manner as under subsection (b) of this section. 26
4431		-	(B) Scholarships for a summer term may be used in the same 27
4432		-	manner as under subsection (b) of this section. 28
4433		-	(4) A student who received a scholarship under subsection (b) of 29
4434		-	this section may also receive a scholarship for a summer term. 30
4435		-	(d)(c) The division shall disburse all scholarship awards on behalf of 31
4436		-	an eligible student directly to the approved institution of higher education. 32
4437		-	33
4438		-	SECTION 87. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 85, Subchapter 3, is 34
4439		-	amended to add an additional section to read as follows: 35
4440		-	6-85-308. Reporting requirements. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4441		-
4442		-	112 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4443		-
4444		-
4445		-	(a) An approved institution of higher education accepting funds under 1
4446		-	this subchapter shall submit an annual report to the Division of Higher 2
4447		-	Education that includes without limitation the following: 3
4448		-	(1) Individual student program completer information as defined 4
4449		-	by the division; and 5
4450		-	(2) Student information required to be provided to the division 6
4451		-	under § 6-85-216. 7
4452		-	(b) An approved institution of higher education accepting funds under 8
4453		-	this subchapter shall submit an annual report to the Office of Skills 9
4454		-	Development that includes without limitation the following: 10
4455		-	(1) Individual student program completer information as defined 11
4456		-	by the division; and 12
4457		-	(2) Student information required to be provided to the division 13
4458		-	under § 6-85-216. 14
4459		-	15
4460		-	SECTION 88. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 85, Subchapter 4 is 16
4461		-	repealed. 17
4462		-	Subchapter 4 — Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program 18
4463		-	19
4464		-	6-85-401. Creation. 20
4465		-	There is created the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program. 21
4466		-	22
4467		-	6-85-402. Definitions. 23
4468		-	As used in this subchapter: 24
4469		-	(1) “Approved institution of higher education” means an 25
4470		-	institution of higher education that: 26
4471		-	(A) Is approved by the Division of Higher Education to 27
4472		-	participate in the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program; 28
4473		-	(B) Offers at least a fifty -percent discount on the 29
4474		-	tuition and mandatory fees of an endorsed concurrent enrollment course or 30
4475		-	certificate program to a student who is enrolled in an endorsed concurrent 31
4476		-	enrollment course or certificate program, unless other opportunities are 32
4477		-	provided that lower the tuition and mandatory fees below fifty percent (50%); 33
4478		-	and 34
4479		-	(C) Is a: 35
4480		-	(i) State-supported two-year or four-year college or 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4481		-
4482		-	113 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4483		-
4484		-
4485		-	university; or 1
4486		-	(ii) Private, nonprofit two -year or four-year college 2
4487		-	or university that has its primary headquarters located in Arkansas and that 3
4488		-	is eligible to receive Title IV federal student aid funds; 4
4489		-	(2)(A) “Certificate program” means a program that is offered or 5
4490		-	made available to a student by an approved institution of higher education 6
4491		-	that leads to the obtainment of a certification or license. 7
4492		-	(B) “Certificate program” does not include a program that 8
4493		-	is operated or sponsored by a third party; 9
4494		-	(3)(A) “Endorsed concurrent enrollment course” means the same as 10
4495		-	defined in § 6-16-1202. 11
4496		-	(B) “Endorsed concurrent enrollment course” does not 12
4497		-	include a program that is operated or sponsored by a third party; and 13
4498		-	(4) “Student” means a person in grade ten (10), grade eleven 14
4499		-	(11), or grade twelve (12) who is enrolled at a: 15
4500		-	(A) Public high school in Arkansas; 16
4501		-	(B) Private high school in Arkansas; or 17
4502		-	(C) Home school, as defined in § 6 -15-501. 18
4503		-	19
4504		-	6-85-403. Eligibility. 20
4505		-	(a) A student is eligible to receive an Arkansas Concurrent Challenge 21
4506		-	Scholarship under this subchapter for an academic semester or academic year 22
4507		-	during which the student is enrolled in an endorsed concurrent enrollment 23
4508		-	course or certificate program if the student: 24
4509		-	(1) Is an Arkansas resident or, if the student is less than 25
4510		-	twenty-one (21) years of age, either the student or one (1) parent of the 26
4511		-	student is an Arkansas resident; and 27
4512		-	(2)(A) Submits a student success plan as described under § 6 -15-28
4513		-	2911(b). 29
4514		-	(B) The student success plan required under subdivision 30
4515		-	(a)(2)(A) of this section for a student who is enrolled in an endorsed 31
4516		-	concurrent enrollment course or certificate program shall: 32
4517		-	(i) Be prepared in consultation with: 33
4518		-	(a) School personnel, the student, and the 34
4519		-	student's parent or legal guardian; or 35
4520		-	(b) A college advisor; and 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4521		-
4522		-	114 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4523		-
4524		-
4525		-	(ii) Include: 1
4526		-	(a) An endorsed concurrent enrollment course 2
4527		-	or certificate program that is relevant to the student's success plan; and 3
4528		-	(b) Measures that ensure the successful 4
4529		-	completion of the endorsed concurrent enrollment course or certificate 5
4530		-	program in which the student is enrolled. 6
4531		-	(b)(1) A student successfully completes an endorsed concurrent 7
4532		-	enrollment course or a course taken towards the completion of a certificate 8
4533		-	program under this subchapter if he or she completes the course or program 9
4534		-	and receives a minimum grade point average of 2.5. 10
4535		-	(2)(A) A student who fails to successfully complete an endorsed 11
4536		-	concurrent enrollment course or a course taken towards the completion of a 12
4537		-	certificate program under this subchapter shall: 13
4538		-	(i) Retain eligibility for a scholarship under this 14
4539		-	subchapter; and 15
4540		-	(ii) Enroll in no more than one (1) endorsed 16
4541		-	concurrent enrollment course or course required for the completion of a 17
4542		-	certificate program for the first semester following the semester in which 18
4543		-	the student failed to successfully complete an endorsed concurrent enrollment 19
4544		-	course or course taken towards the completion of a certificate program. 20
4545		-	(B) However, if a student fails an endorsed concurrent 21
4546		-	enrollment course or a course taken towards the completion of a certificate 22
4547		-	program under this subchapter a second time, the student shall be ineligible 23
4548		-	to reapply for a scholarship under this subchapter. 24
4549		-	(c) A student whose enrollment in a vocational center is reimbursable 25
4550		-	under § 6-51-305 is not eligible for a scholarship under this subchapter. 26
4551		-	27
4552		-	6-85-404. Funding. 28
4553		-	(a) For an academic year, Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarships 29
4554		-	under this subchapter shall be funded with any funds remaining after the 30
4555		-	Division of Higher Education allocates sufficient funding to award Arkansas 31
4556		-	Workforce Challenge Scholarships under § 6 -85-301 et seq., at a level 32
4557		-	equivalent to the awards made in the previous academic year. 33
4558		-	(b)(1) A scholarship under this subchapter shall not be awarded for an 34
4559		-	academic year if: 35
4560		-	(A) Less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4561		-
4562		-	115 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4563		-
4564		-
4565		-	($250,000) is available under subsection (a) of this section; or 1
4566		-	(B) The division received a loan from the Scholarship 2
4567		-	Shortfall Reserve Trust Account under § 23 -115-802 for the Arkansas Academic 3
4568		-	Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-201 et seq., for the previous academic 4
4569		-	year. 5
4570		-	(2) Any funds under subsection (a) of this section that are not 6
4571		-	disbursed for scholarships under this subchapter shall be carried over to the 7
4572		-	next academic year to be used for scholarships under this subchapter. 8
4573		-	9
4574		-	6-85-405. Distribution — Award amounts. 10
4575		-	(a) If funds are available, the Division of Higher Education shall 11
4576		-	award Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarships to all students who meet the 12
4577		-	requirements under this subchapter. 13
4578		-	(b)(1) The division shall distribute scholarships from the funds 14
4579		-	available in an equal amount to every approved institution of higher 15
4580		-	education that has enrolled a student eligible to receive a scholarship under 16
4581		-	this subchapter. 17
4582		-	(2) The maximum scholarship award a student may receive in an 18
4583		-	academic year shall be the lesser of: 19
4584		-	(A)(i) Five hundred dollars ($500). 20
4585		-	(ii) A scholarship awarded to a student who is 21
4586		-	eligible under § 6-85-403 shall be awarded in the amount of one hundred 22
4587		-	twenty-five dollars ($125) for each endorsed concurrent enrollment credit 23
4588		-	course or certificate program in which the eligible student is enrolled, up 24
4589		-	to two (2) endorsed concurrent enrollment credit courses or certificate 25
4590		-	programs per semester; or 26
4591		-	(B) The tuition and mandatory fees of the endorsed 27
4592		-	concurrent credit course or certificate program. 28
4593		-	(3) A scholarship granted under this section may be awarded in 29
4594		-	addition to any funds received for the enrollment in an endorsed concurrent 30
4595		-	enrollment course under § 6 -16-1204(e)(3). 31
4596		-	(4) Unless a student's high school or community -based program 32
4597		-	provides financial assistance for the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for 33
4598		-	an endorsed concurrent enrollment course or certificate program, the 34
4599		-	remaining cost of tuition and mandatory fees for an endorsed concurrent 35
4600		-	enrollment course or certificate program is the responsibility of the 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4601		-
4602		-	116 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4603		-
4604		-
4605		-	eligible student who is enrolled in the endorsed concurrent enrollment course 1
4606		-	or certificate program. 2
4607		-	3
4608		-	6-85-406. Rules. 4
4609		-	The Division of Higher Education shall promulgate rules to implement 5
4610		-	this subchapter. 6
4611		-	7
4612		-	SECTION 89. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-502(b)(5), concerning the amount of 8
4613		-	net proceeds to fund scholarships under the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge 9
4614		-	Scholarship Program used for the lottery fiscal impact statement, is amended 10
4615		-	to read as follows: 11
4616		-	(5) The amount of net proceeds that was necessary to fund scholarships 12
4617		-	under the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-401 13
4618		-	ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-701 et seq., during each 14
4619		-	of the last four (4) years immediately preceding the year in which the 15
4620		-	proposed bill is being considered, listed separately; 16
4621		-	17
4622		-	SECTION 90. Arkansas Code § 6 -85-502(b)(7)(C), concerning the 18
4623		-	comparison of the year with the highest amount of net proceeds necessary to 19
4624		-	fund scholarships under the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship 20
4625		-	Program, is amended to read as follows: 21
4626		-	(C) The year with the highest amount of net proceeds 22
4627		-	necessary to fund scholarships under the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge 23
4628		-	Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-401 ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship Program, § 24
4629		-	6-85-701 et seq., as determined under subdivision (b)(5) of this section; and 25
4630		-	26
4631		-	SECTION 91. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 85, is amended to add an 27
4632		-	additional subchapter to read as follows: 28
4633		-	Subchapter — 7 ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship Program 29
4634		-	30
4635		-	6-85-701 Creation. 31
4636		-	There is created the ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship Program. 32
4637		-	33
4638		-	6-85-702. Definitions. 34
4639		-	As used in this subchapter: 35
4640		-	(1) “Approved institution of higher education” means an 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4641		-
4642		-	117 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4643		-
4644		-
4645		-	institution of higher education that: 1
4646		-	(A) Is approved by the Division of Higher Education to 2
4647		-	participate in the ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship Program; and 3
4648		-	(B) Is a: 4
4649		-	(i) State-supported two-year or four-year 5
4650		-	institution of higher education; or 6
4651		-	(ii) Private, nonprofit two -year or four-year 7
4652		-	institution of higher education that has its primary headquarters located in 8
4653		-	Arkansas and is eligible to receive Title IV federal student aid funds; 9
4654		-	(2)(A) “Certificate program” means a program that is offered or 10
4655		-	made available to a student by an approved institution of higher education 11
4656		-	that leads to the obtainment of a certification or license. 12
4657		-	(B) “Certificate program” does not include a program that 13
4658		-	is operated or sponsored by a third party; 14
4659		-	(3)(A) “Concurrent credit course” means a course as defined in § 15
4660		-	6-16-1202. 16
4661		-	(B) “Concurrent credit course” does not include a program 17
4662		-	that is operated or sponsored by a third party; and 18
4663		-	(4) “Eligible student” means a student enrolled in grade ten 19
4664		-	(10), grade eleven (11), or grade twelve (12) at a public high school in 20
4665		-	Arkansas. 21
4666		-	22
4667		-	6-85-703. Eligibility. 23
4668		-	(a) A student is eligible to be awarded a scholarship under this 24
4669		-	subchapter for an academic semester or academic year during which the student 25
4670		-	is enrolled in a concurrent credit course if the student is eligible to 26
4671		-	enroll in the concurrent credit course under § 6 -16-1204(a)(5). 27
4672		-	(b) Scholarship funds shall not be used for courses at a vocational 28
4673		-	center that are reimbursable under § 6 -51-305. 29
4674		-	(c) A student is not eligible for a scholarship under this subchapter 30
4675		-	if the student is enrolled in a concurrent credit course that may be funded 31
4676		-	under § 6-18-2506. 32
4677		-	33
4678		-	6-85-704. Funding. 34
4679		-	(a) For an academic year, the following shall be used to fund 35
4680		-	scholarships under this subchapter: 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4681		-
4682		-	118 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4683		-
4684		-
4685		-	(1) Excess funding returned to the Office of the Arkansas 1
4686		-	Lottery under § 6-85-212(d)(2)(B)(i) from the previous academic year; and 2
4687		-	(2) Net proceeds remaining from the previous academic year after 3
4688		-	the office transfers the funds requested by the Division of Higher Education 4
4689		-	under § 23-115-801(c)(2). 5
4690		-	(b)(1) A scholarship under this subchapter shall not be awarded for an 6
4691		-	academic year if: 7
4692		-	(A) Less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars 8
4693		-	($250,000) is available under subsection (a) of this section; or 9
4694		-	(B) The division received a loan from the Scholarship 10
4695		-	Shortfall Reserve Trust Account under § 23 -115-802 for the Arkansas Academic 11
4696		-	Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-201 et seq., for the previous academic 12
4697		-	year. 13
4698		-	(2) Any funds under subsection (a) of this section that are not 14
4699		-	disbursed for scholarships under this subchapter shall be carried over to the 15
4700		-	next academic year to be used for scholarships under this subchapter. 16
4701		-	17
4702		-	6-85-705. Distribution — Award Amounts. 18
4703		-	(a) If funds are available, the Division of Higher Education shall 19
4704		-	award an ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship to all eligible students who meet 20
4705		-	the requirements under this subchapter. 21
4706		-	(b)(1) The division shall distribute scholarships from the funds 22
4707		-	available in an equal amount to every approved institution of higher 23
4708		-	education that has enrolled a student eligible to receive a scholarship under 24
4709		-	this subchapter. 25
4710		-	(2) A scholarship awarded to a student who is eligible under § 26
4711		-	6-85-703 shall be awarded in the amount of sixty -five dollars ($65) per 27
4712		-	concurrent credit course hour in which the eligible student is enrolled, for 28
4713		-	a maximum of fifteen (15) concurrent credit course hours per semester. 29
4714		-	(3) The maximum scholarship amount a student may be awarded in 30
4715		-	an academic year, including summer semesters, shall not exceed two thousand 31
4716		-	dollars ($2,000). 32
4717		-	(c)(1) A state-supported two-year or four-year institution of higher 33
4718		-	education may offer a reduced tuition rate for concurrent credit courses 34
4719		-	offered by the state -supported institution of higher education to eligible 35
4720		-	students under this subchapter. 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4721		-
4722		-	119 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4723		-
4724		-
4725		-	(2) The reduction in tuition under subdivision (c)(1) of this 1
4726		-	section shall not be considered an institutional scholarship. 2
4727		-	3
4728		-	6-85-706. Rules. 4
4729		-	The Division of Higher Education may promulgate rules to implement this 5
4730		-	subchapter. 6
4731		-	7
4732		-	SECTION 92 Arkansas Code § 20-7-133(b)(2), concerning members 8
4733		-	appointed by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education to the 9
4734		-	Child Health Advisory Committee, is amended to read as follows: 10
4735		-	(2) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education shall 11
4736		-	appoint: 12
4737		-	(A) One (1) member to represent the Division of Elementary 13
4738		-	and Secondary Education; 14
4739		-	(B) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas School 15
4740		-	Nutrition Association Child Nutrition Unit ; 16
4741		-	(C) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas School Nurses 17
4742		-	Association public school nurse; 18
4743		-	(D) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas Association 19
4744		-	of Educational Administrators public school administrator ; 20
4745		-	(E) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas PTA of a 21
4746		-	public school district parent -teacher association; 22
4747		-	(F) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas School Boards 23
4748		-	Association of a public school district board of directors ; 24
4749		-	(G) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas Association 25
4750		-	of School Business Officials public school district finance employee ; and 26
4751		-	(H) One (1) member to represent the Arkansas Association 27
4752		-	for Supervision and Curriculum Development Two (2) public school licensed 28
4753		-	educators; and 29
4754		-	(I) One (1) member who is a classroom teacher . 30
4755		-	31
4756		-	SECTION 93. Arkansas Code § 21 -5-703(c), concerning the award of 32
4757		-	scholarship benefits by the Arkansas State Claims Commssion during the claims 33
4758		-	process for death benefits of public employees, is amended to read as 34
4759		-	follows: 35
4760		-	(c) Unless § 6-82-504(e) § 6-82-2505(e) is applicable, the commission 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4761		-
4762		-	120 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4763		-
4764		-
4765		-	shall award any scholarship benefit provided by the provisions of § 6-82-501 1
4766		-	et seq. the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship Act, § 6 -82-2501 et seq., at the same 2
4767		-	time any death benefit or total and permanent disability benefit is awarded 3
4768		-	under this subchapter. 4
4769		-	5
4770		-	SECTION 94. Arkansas Code § 21 -5-705(a)(3)(B)(i), concerning the 6
4771		-	maximum death benefit paid to a designated beneficiary or survivor of certain 7
4772		-	public employees killed in the line of duty, is amended to read as follows: 8
4773		-	(i) A maximum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars 9
4774		-	($150,000) per individual death, including educational benefits provided in § 10
4775		-	6-82-501 et seq. the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship Act, § 6 -82-2501 et seq.; 11
4776		-	and 12
4777		-	13
4778		-	SECTION 95. The introductory language of Arkansas Code § 23 -115-14
4779		-	801(b)(1)(B)(i), concerning the establishment of the Lottery Scholarship 15
4780		-	Trust Account by the Office of the Arkansas Lottery, is amended to read as 16
4781		-	follows: 17
4782		-	(B)(i) The office shall establish the Lottery Scholarship 18
4783		-	Trust Account as required under subdivision (b)(1)(A) of this section to fund 19
4784		-	the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-201 et seq., the 20
4785		-	Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-301 et seq.,the 21
4786		-	Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6-85-401 ACCESS to 22
4787		-	Acceleration Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-701 et seq., and 23
4788		-	any other scholarship funded with net proceeds from the state lottery in a 24
4789		-	financial institution into which the office shall transfer: 25
4790		-	26
4791		-	SECTION 96. Arkansas Code § 23 -115-801(b)(1)(B)(ii) and (iii), 27
4792		-	concerning funding of the Lottery Scholarship Trust Account by the Office of 28
4793		-	the Arkansas Lottery, are amended to read as follows: 29
4794		-	(ii) The funds transferred by the office into the 30
4795		-	Lottery Scholarship Trust Account for the Arkansas Academic Challenge 31
4796		-	Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-201 et seq., the Arkansas Workforce Challenge 32
4797		-	Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-301 et seq., the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge 33
4798		-	Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-401 ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship Program, § 34
4799		-	6-85-701 et seq., and any other scholarship funded with net proceeds from the 35
4800		-	state lottery as established under subdivision (b)(1)(B)(i) of this section 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4801		-
4802		-	121 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4803		-
4804		-
4805		-	shall be used for: 1
4806		-	(a) Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarships; 2
4807		-	(b) Any management fees charged by the 3
4808		-	financial institution to manage the trust account for scholarship award 4
4809		-	supplements; 5
4810		-	(c) Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarships 6
4811		-	ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarships ; 7
4812		-	(d) Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarships; 8
4813		-	and 9
4814		-	(e) Any other scholarship funded with net 10
4815		-	proceeds from the state lottery. 11
4816		-	(iii) Annually, the office shall transfer to the 12
4817		-	division the funds from the previous academic year, if any, that were 13
4818		-	transferred by the office into the Lottery Scholarship Trust Account 14
4819		-	established under subdivision (b)(1)(B)(i) of this section for distribution 15
4820		-	of Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarships, Arkansas Workforce Challenge 16
4821		-	ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarships, Arkansas Concurrent Challenge 17
4822		-	Scholarships, and any other scholarship funded with net proceeds from the 18
4823		-	state lottery. 19
4824		-	20
4825		-	SECTION 97. Arkansas Code § 23 -115-801(c)(1)(C), concerning the 21
4826		-	scholarship programs that the Commissioner of the Division of Higher 22
4827		-	Education is required to certify funding for, is amended to read as follows:. 23
4828		-	(C) The Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program, 24
4829		-	§ 6-85-401 et seq.; ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-701 et 25
4830		-	seq.; and 26
4831		-	27
4832		-	SECTION 98. Arkansas Code § 23-115-801(c)(2)(D)(ii)(a), concerning the 28
4833		-	distribution to recipients if funds remain after award of all scholarships 29
4834		-	under the Arkansas Academic Challenge Program, is amended to read as follows: 30
4835		-	(ii)(a) If available funds remain after the award of 31
4836		-	all scholarships under the Arkansas Academic Challenge Program, § 6 -85-201 et 32
4837		-	seq., then the available funds shall be distributed to recipients of 33
4838		-	scholarships under the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -34
4839		-	85-301 et seq., and the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program, § 35
4840		-	6-85-401 ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-701 et seq., on a 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4841		-
4842		-	122 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4843		-
4844		-
4845		-	pro rata basis as determined by the division. 1
4846		-	2
4847		-	SECTION 99. Arkansas Code § 23 -115-802(c)(2) and (3), concerning the 3
4848		-	process of using the Scholarship Shortfall Reserve Trust Account if net 4
4849		-	proceeds are insufficient to meet scholarship funding, are amended to read as 5
4850		-	follows: 6
4851		-	(2) Except as provided in subdivision (c)(3)(B) of this section, 7
4852		-	the Scholarship Shortfall Reserve Trust Account shall not be drawn upon to 8
4853		-	fund Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarships under the Arkansas Workforce 9
4854		-	Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-301 et seq., Arkansas Concurrent 10
4855		-	Challenge Scholarships under the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship 11
4856		-	Program, § 6-85-401 ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-701 et 12
4857		-	seq., or any other scholarship funded with net proceeds from the state 13
4858		-	lottery. 14
4859		-	(3)(A) Determining the maximum amount of loans from the 15
4860		-	Scholarship Shortfall Reserve Trust Account to the Arkansas Academic 16
4861		-	Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6-85-201 et seq., the Arkansas Workforce 17
4862		-	Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-301 et seq., or the Arkansas Concurrent 18
4863		-	Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-401 ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship 19
4864		-	Program, § 6-85-701 et seq., is the prerogative of the General Assembly. This 20
4865		-	is usually accomplished by the General Assembly's delineating such funding 21
4866		-	allocations for the various scholarship programs, with the approval of the 22
4867		-	Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Legislative Council and through 23
4868		-	oversight as required by law by the Lottery Oversight Subcommittee of the 24
4869		-	Legislative Council. Further, the General Assembly determines that the 25
4870		-	Division of Higher Education may operate more efficiently with some 26
4871		-	flexibility, therefore it is both necessary and appropriate that the General 27
4872		-	Assembly maintain oversight by requiring prior approval of the Legislative 28
4873		-	Council or the Joint Budget Committee as provided by this section. 29
4874		-	(B) If the division determines it is necessary to borrow 30
4875		-	from the Scholarship Shortfall Reserve Trust Account to fund scholarships 31
4876		-	under the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-201 et 32
4877		-	seq., the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-301 et 33
4878		-	seq., or the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-401 et 34
4879		-	ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship Program, § 6 -85-701 et seq., the division 35
4880		-	shall first obtain review and approval from the Legislative Council or, if 36 As Engrossed: S3/6/25 S3/12/25 SB246
4881		-
4882		-	123 03-12-2025 14:09:05 CRH173
4883		-
4884		-
4885		-	the General Assembly is in session, the Joint Budget Committee. 1
4886		-	2
4887		-	SECTION 100. DO NOT CODIFY. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. If any provision of 3
4888		-	this act or the application of this act to any person or circumstance is held 4
4889		-	invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of 5
4890		-	this act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or 6
4891		-	application, and to this end, the provisions of this act are declared 7
4892		-	severable. 8
4893		-	9
4894		-	/s/J. Dismang 10
4895	4611		11
4896	4612		12
4897		-	~~APPROVED: 3/18/25~~ 13
	4613	+	13
4898	4614		14
4899	4615		15
4900	4616		16
4901	4617		17
4902	4618		18
4903	4619		19
4904	4620		20
4905	4621		21
4906	4622		22
4907	4623		23
4908	4624		24
4909	4625		25
4910	4626		26
4911	4627		27
4912	4628		28
4913	4629		29
4914	4630		30
4915	4631		31
4916	4632		32
4917	4633		33
4918	4634		34
4919	4635		35
4920	4636		36