The bill, HB1810, proposes the consolidation of the Arkansas School for the Deaf and the Arkansas School for the Blind into a single entity named the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. This merger involves transferring all authority, duties, functions, records, contracts, personnel, property, and unexpended appropriations from the Arkansas School for the Deaf to the newly formed institution. Key amendments include redefining "public school" to encompass the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind, while removing separate references to the individual schools. The bill also establishes a Board of Trustees to oversee the new institution, consisting of five members appointed by the Governor, and outlines the qualifications and responsibilities of the superintendent.

Additionally, the bill modernizes various operational aspects, such as allowing the use of licensed chartered vehicles for student transportation and increasing the maximum compensation for employees performing additional duties. It expands student admission criteria to include all individuals aged three to twenty-one who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired, and mandates public schools to inform families about the services offered by the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. The legislation also repeals outdated provisions and clarifies the applicability of nepotism and ethics laws to the schools' trustees and employees, aiming to enhance the educational framework and operational efficiency for students with sensory impairments in Arkansas. An emergency clause ensures that the merger is completed before the 2025-2026 school year, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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)