The bill, HB1810, proposes the consolidation of the Arkansas School for the Blind and the Arkansas School for the Deaf into a single entity known as the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. This legislation redefines "public school" to include the newly formed institution, eliminating separate references to the two schools. Key provisions include the establishment of a Board of Trustees, responsible for governance, and the appointment of a superintendent based on relevant qualifications. The bill also mandates the provision of braille and large print textbooks for visually impaired students and outlines the management and operational responsibilities of the school, ensuring compliance with state laws regarding employee selection and student record maintenance.

Additionally, HB1810 introduces significant amendments to the operational framework, including the transfer of authority, duties, and financial resources from the Arkansas School for the Blind to the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. It increases the budget for the combined institution and establishes a new fund account, while also allowing for the transportation of students using licensed chartered vehicles. The bill repeals outdated provisions related to governance and operational procedures, streamlining the management of the schools. An emergency clause is included to ensure the merger is completed before the 2025-2026 school year, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025, to facilitate a smooth transition.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1810 V2 - 3-31-2025 01:00 PM: 5-14-132(a), 6-10-121(a), 6-15-1402(g), 6-15-2913(b), 6-17-1113(a), 6-21-105, 6-28-104(8), 19-4-906(a), 19-5-304(5), 19-5-402(6), 21-8-402(5), 21-8-402(7), 21-8-701(d), 25-11-205, 25-11-202, 03-31-2025, 25-16-901, 25-16-904(19), 25-17-201(1)
Old version HB1810 V3 - 4-8-2025 10:51 AM: 5-14-132(a), 6-10-121(a), 6-15-1402(g), 6-15-2913(b), 6-17-1113(a), 6-21-105, 6-28-104(8), 19-4-906(a), 19-5-304(5), 19-5-402(6), 21-8-402(5), 21-8-402(7), 21-8-701(d), 25-11-205, 25-11-202, 04-08-2025, 25-16-901, 25-16-904(19), 25-17-201(1)
Act 796: 5-14-132(a), 6-10-121(a), 6-15-1402(g), 6-15-2913(b), 6-17-1113(a), 6-21-105, 6-28-104(8), 19-4-906(a), 19-5-304(5), 19-5-402(6), 21-8-402(5), 21-8-402(7), 21-8-701(d), 25-11-205, 25-11-202, 04-08-2025, 25-16-901, 25-16-904(19), 25-17-201(1)