The bill amends the Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids Program Act and the Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program to enhance eligibility requirements and funding provisions for students with disabilities. It introduces a new definition of "qualified student" to include those identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Additionally, it exempts students with disabilities from the requirement that first-time scholarship recipients must not have been continuously enrolled in a private school during the previous school year.

Furthermore, the bill ensures that students participating in the Succeed Scholarship Program will receive 100% of the prior year's statewide foundation funding amount until they graduate or receive a certificate of completion. It also clarifies that students who participated in the Succeed Scholarship Program during the 2022-2023 school year and choose to enroll in the Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program will receive the same funding benefits. An emergency clause is included, emphasizing the urgency of these amendments to support educational services for children with disabilities in Arkansas.

Statutes affected:
HB 1008: 6-18-2302(3), 6-18-2306(4), 6-18-2505(a), 6-18-2506(a)