The bill amends the Arkansas Military Child School Transitions Act of 2021 to provide enhanced support for military families, particularly those with children from Gold Star families and medically separated or retired service members. Key changes include the removal of the one-year eligibility limitation for these families, allowing public schools to apply the act's provisions to all students seeking enrollment. The bill also expands the authority of special education staff to collaborate with sending districts for smoother transitions of students with disabilities. Additionally, it introduces provisions for excused absences for mental health programs and establishes the Purple Star School Program to better support military families.

Moreover, the bill revises the enrollment application process for military families, emphasizing the need for advance notice to facilitate smooth transitions. It mandates provisional enrollment and the provision of necessary information to military families, ensuring equitable access to academic courses and extracurricular activities. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of receiving districts regarding special education services and allows for virtual course enrollment to support transitioning students. Furthermore, it establishes a framework for public schools to designate military family education coordinators and requires schools with a significant number of military-connected students to adopt initiatives that address their unique challenges, overseen by the Arkansas Council for Military Children.

Statutes affected:
HB 1545: 6-28-105, 6-4-301, 6-18-227, 6-18-1901, 6-28-108, 6-18-1909, 6-28-107, 6-28-109, 6-28-114, 6-28-113(b), 6-28-116, 6-15-1702, 6-28-117, 6-28-204(b), 6-28-302, 6-28-204(i)