The bill amends Arkansas law regarding higher education by requiring institutions to report on the number of students receiving accommodations for disabilities. It introduces a new section, 6-60-123, which outlines the findings of the General Assembly regarding the lack of statewide data on postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities. The bill emphasizes the importance of collecting significant data to improve educational and career outcomes for these students. Institutions eligible for Title IV federal student aid must report annually to the Division of Higher Education the number of students registered to receive accommodations, including key data such as the total number of students registered and the percentage of these students among the total undergraduate population.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Division of Higher Education include this data in the Comprehensive Arkansas Higher Education Annual Report, specifically adding a new subdivision to the existing reporting requirements. Institutions are exempt from reporting if the number of students with disabilities is less than three percent of the total student population or if reporting would reveal personally identifiable information. This legislative change aims to enhance transparency and support for students with disabilities in higher education.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1728 V2 - 4-1-2025 10:09 AM: 6-60-703(b)
Old version HB1728 Original - 3-10-2025 03:50 PM: 6-60-703(b)
HB 1728: 6-60-703(b)
Act 906: 6-60-703(b)