Arkansas Senate Bill SB332

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/25
• Refer: 2/27/25
• Refer: 4/1/25
• Report Pass: 4/2/25
• Engrossed: 4/3/25
• Enrolled: 4/8/25
• Chaptered: 4/10/25
• Passed: 4/10/25

Caption

An Act For The Department Of Education - Division Of Elementary And Secondary Education Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program Appropriation For The 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.

Impact

By establishing this funding, SB332 aims to enhance educational programs that specifically focus on sexual risk avoidance, potentially affecting state laws regarding sexual education standards within Arkansas schools. The funding allocation is expected to ensure that various educational entities have the necessary resources to implement effective programs that align with the state's educational goals and health policies. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes compliance with existing state laws to manage the disbursement of funds, ensuring that the process adheres to various fiscal control laws.

Summary

Senate Bill 332 is a legislative proposal designed to allocate funding for the Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program under the Department of Education's Division of Elementary and Secondary Education in the state of Arkansas. The bill outlines an appropriation of $4,000,000 for the upcoming fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The intent of this bill is to provide financial resources to support educational initiatives aimed at promoting healthy relationships and preventing risky behaviors among students.

Contention

While the bill appears to have broad support for its purpose, the implications of the funding and the educational content provided by the Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program may lead to discussions around the appropriateness and effectiveness of such programs. Advocates of the program argue that it promotes responsible decision-making among youth, while critics may raise concerns about the content being aligned with certain moral or ideological perspectives. Nonetheless, the legislative intent specified in the bill is to adhere to a framework established by comprehensive Agency Requests and recommendations from various stakeholders involved in the education sector.