WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1986

Repeals the election offense of allowing a ballot to be seen

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bennie Cook

Adds excused absences for Arkansas students who are children of fallen service members or fallen first responders, for mental health or related support events.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
#crimesandpunishment #elections
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1986

Summary — HB 1986 (Arkansas, 95th General Assembly, 2025)

Status: Approved by Governor (Act 794). Introduced Jan 22, 2025. Sponsors: Rep. Nazarenko; Sen. D. Wallace. (Note: other documents attached to the request reference different bills or jurisdictions using the same bill number; this summary covers the Arkansas bill text provided concerning excused absences for children of fallen service members and fallen first responders.)

Purpose / Intent

To add a new statute (Ark. Code § 6-18-238) creating a specific category of excused school absences for students who are children of fallen service members or children of fallen first responders, when the absence is for certain mental-health reasons or to attend supportive events related to traumatic loss, grief, or resiliency.

Key provisions

  • Adds § 6-18-238 to Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 18, Subchapter 2.
  • Who qualifies:
    • A student who is a child (biological, adopted, or stepchild) of a fallen service member; or
    • A student who is a child of a fallen first responder (defined as a firefighter, law enforcement officer, or emergency medical provider).
  • Permitted reasons for excused absence:
    • Absence due to a mental health concern; or
    • Absence to attend an event organized by a sponsoring organization that provides support to families of fallen service members/first responders or provides support for traumatic loss, grief, or resiliency.
  • Documentation and verification:
    • Parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis must provide written documentation that the absence is to attend an eligible sponsoring organization’s event.
    • Schools may use the Department of Education’s “Resources Page for Military Family Engagement” to verify organizations serving military/first responder communities.
  • Student eligibility conditions:
    • Student must be in good academic standing.
    • Student must have a prior record of good attendance.
    • Student must complete and turn in missed classwork within the time period required by the enrolling school.
  • Limitation:
    • Excused absence under this section is not granted for days when standardized testing is administered.
  • Definitions:
    • “Child” includes biological, adopted, and stepchildren (per bill text).
    • “First responder” defined as firefighter, law enforcement officer, or employee as an emergency medical provider.
    • “Public school” includes public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Students in Arkansas public schools who are children of fallen service members or fallen first responders and their families.
  • School districts and open-enrollment public charter schools: administrative responsibility to verify documentation, record excused absences, and enforce academic and attendance conditions.
  • Sponsoring/support organizations serving military and first responder families.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • The Arkansas Department of Education prepared a fiscal impact statement indicating "No Fiscal Impact."
  • Administrative tasks for schools: reviewing documentation, verifying organizations (using DOE resources), and managing make-up work timelines — expected to be handled within existing administrative processes.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced Jan 22, 2025; read and referred through legislative committees as documented; passed both chambers and enrolled; approved by the Governor on 2025-04-17 and designated Act 794.
  • Related/companion bill noted: HB 1987.

If you want, I can produce a one-page fact sheet for school administrators summarizing verification steps, required documentation, and recommended recordkeeping practices under the new law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.