The bill amends the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship Program to expand the definition of "approved institution of higher education" to include public and private vocational-technical schools and technical institutes. This change allows these institutions to participate in the scholarship program, which aims to support students pursuing high-demand fields. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum scholarship award from $800 to $2,500 per academic year, ensuring that students can cover more of their educational expenses, including tuition, fees, and necessary materials.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new eligibility criteria, such as requiring students to be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and to be accepted into programs that lead to portable licenses or certificates in specified high-demand fields, including construction trades and logistics. It also mandates that instructors in these programs be licensed or certified in their respective subjects. To enhance accountability, institutions receiving funds must submit annual reports detailing graduation rates, job placement statistics, and starting salaries of graduates. An emergency clause is included, emphasizing the immediate need for these changes to address workforce demands in Arkansas.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1446 V2 - 2-13-2025 10:07 AM: 6-85-302, 02-13-2025, 6-85-304, 6-15-501, 6-85-201, 6-85-305(b), 6-85-307
Old version HB1446 V3 - 2-20-2025 11:40 AM: 6-85-302, 02-20-2025, 6-85-304, 6-15-501, 6-85-201, 6-85-305(b), 6-85-307
Old version HB1446 V4 - 2-25-2025 09:21 AM: 6-85-302, 02-25-2025, 6-85-304, 6-15-501, 6-85-201, 6-85-305(b), 6-85-307
Old version HB1446 Original - 2-11-2025 09:05 AM: 6-85-302, 6-85-304, 6-15-501, 6-85-201, 6-85-305(b), 6-85-307
HB 1446: 6-85-302, 6-85-304, 6-15-501, 6-85-201, 6-85-305(b), 6-85-307