County Board of Education of DeKalb County; board members shall only be elected by electors of the DeKalb County school district; provide

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Donzella James and 1 co-sponsor

Senate Bill 332 allocates $4 million for Arkansas schools to promote sexual risk avoidance education, benefiting students through enhanced educational programs.

Effective Date

Purpose and Intent

Senate Bill 332 (SB 332) aims to make an appropriation for the Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program under the Arkansas Department of Education, specifically within the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. The bill is intended to allocate funding for educational initiatives that promote sexual risk avoidance among students for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Key Provisions

Appropriation Amount: The bill proposes an appropriation of $4,000,000 for the Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program.

Funding Source: The funds will be drawn from the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Public School Fund Account.

Compliance: The disbursement of these funds is subject to various state laws, including the State Procurement Law and the General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law, ensuring that all financial controls are adhered to.

Emergency Clause: An emergency clause is included, allowing the act to take effect on July 1, 2025, to ensure the timely operation of the program.

Affected Parties

Students: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are students in Arkansas who will receive education on sexual risk avoidance.

Department of Education: The Arkansas Department of Education will oversee the implementation and management of the program funded by this appropriation.

Educational Institutions: Public schools in Arkansas will be directly involved in delivering the educational content associated with this program.

Legislative Timeline

Introduced: February 27, 2025

Amendment Adopted: An amendment was adopted on April 1, 2025, which clarified the title of the program.

Passed: The bill passed through various legislative stages, including readings and votes in both the Senate and House, with the final passage occurring on April 8, 2025.

Governor's Approval: The bill was delivered to the Governor and subsequently became Act 536 on April 10, 2025.

Related Legislation

Companion Bill: HB 416 serves as a companion to SB 332, indicating a parallel legislative effort regarding similar issues.

This summary provides an overview of SB 332, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and the timeline of legislative actions, making it accessible for readers seeking to understand the implications of this bill.

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