The bill amends the Arkansas Opportunity Public School Choice Act and the Public School Choice Act of 2015 to expand student transfer options within public school districts. It allows students to transfer not only to nonresident school districts but also to another public school within their resident district. Key provisions include a defined transfer request period from January 1 to May 1 of the preceding school year, conditions under which transfers can be denied based on capacity, and the requirement for districts to accept credits toward graduation from previous schools. Additionally, the bill emphasizes non-discrimination based on factors such as residential address and mandates that districts inform parents about the public school choice program.

Further amendments focus on the application process for school transfers and participation in extracurricular activities. The bill requires a "Changing Schools/Athletic Participation" form to be signed by the superintendents of both the resident and nonresident districts, or just the resident district for transfers within the same district. It prohibits public school personnel and volunteers from recruiting students for athletic purposes and establishes a structured application process that allows submissions via mail, email, or hand delivery. The bill also ensures that students who are dependents of uniformed service members can apply for transfers under the same guidelines, aiming to streamline the transfer process while maintaining fair practices in recruitment and extracurricular participation.

Statutes affected:
SB 624: 6-18-202(g), 6-18-227(b), 6-18-227(d), 6-18-227(g), 6-18-227(i), 6-18-1901(b), 6-18-1903, 6-18-1906, 6-18-510, 6-18-1904, 6-18-206, 6-18-1901, 6-18-1905, 6-22-101, 6-18-1907(b), 6-18-1909(b), 6-18-1909(e)
Act 732: 6-18-202(g), 6-18-227(b), 6-18-227(d), 6-18-227(g), 6-18-227(i), 6-18-1901(b), 6-18-1903, 6-18-1906, 6-18-510, 6-18-1904, 6-18-206, 6-18-1901, 6-18-1905, 6-22-101, 6-18-1907(b), 6-18-1909(b), 6-18-1909(e)