The Public School Access and Transparency Act aims to enhance public access to learning materials used in Arkansas public schools while amending the Freedom of Information Act of 1967. The bill introduces new definitions and provisions, including a clear definition of "learning materials," which encompasses various instructional resources such as curricula, lesson plans, and digital resources, while explicitly excluding tests and student assessments. It also establishes that access to these materials cannot be denied on the grounds of copyright infringement, and custodians of learning materials are prohibited from entering agreements that restrict public access based on intellectual property rights.

Additionally, the bill ensures that residents can inspect and copy learning materials without being required to sign nondisclosure agreements, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in public education. It emphasizes that access to digital learning materials must be facilitated, and if copying is impractical, residents should have the opportunity to inspect these materials during normal business hours. The act includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any provision is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB572 V2 - 4-1-2025 05:40 PM: 25-19-103(7), 25-19-103, 25-19-105
Old version SB572 Original - 3-28-2025 11:10 AM: 25-19-103(7), 25-19-103, 25-19-105
SB 572: 25-19-103(7), 25-19-103, 25-19-105
Act 649: 25-19-103(7), 25-19-103, 25-19-105