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HB 1728

requiring sufficient cybersecurity protections for critical infrastructure and technology projects.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Howard Pearl and 2 co-sponsors

Arkansas HB 1728 requires Title IV‑eligible colleges to annually report undergrad students with disabilities who are registered for accommodations, for inclusion in the state highe

Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 36
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Bill Summary · HB 1728

Summary — HB 1728 (as presented in provided materials)

Note on source materials: The documents provided include multiple different bills all labeled “HB 1728” from different states (Arkansas, Mississippi, and Illinois). This summary focuses on the Arkansas HB 1728 content included in the materials (an Arkansas higher education reporting bill introduced by Rep. Ennett, with Sen. B. Davis added as a sponsor). Where the source materials conflict about status or include unrelated text (Mississippi appropriation and Illinois property‑tax language), that is noted below.

Main purpose

To require Arkansas institutions of higher education that are eligible for Title IV federal student aid to annually report to the Division of Higher Education (ADHE) data on undergraduate students with disabilities who are registered to receive accommodations, and to include that information in the statewide Comprehensive Arkansas Higher Education Annual Report.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new statute (proposed § 6-60-123) with findings about the lack of statewide data on postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities and the importance of collecting such data.
  • Reporting requirement:
    • Each Title IV‑eligible institution must annually report to the Division of Higher Education the number of students with disabilities at the institution based on students who are formally registered to receive accommodations (i.e., registered with the office of disability services or equivalent).
    • The institutional report must include at minimum:
    • Number of undergraduate students registered to receive accommodations.
    • Percentage of undergraduate students registered to receive accommodations (percentage of all undergraduates).
    • Total number of undergraduate certificates or degrees awarded to students registered to receive accommodations.
  • Data suppression/privacy exceptions:
    • An institution is not required to submit the requested information if doing so would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual student.
    • An institution is not required to submit the information if the total number of students with disabilities is less than 3% of the institution’s total student population.
  • The Division of Higher Education shall include the reported counts in the Comprehensive Arkansas Higher Education Annual Report (per § 6-60-703).

Who is affected

  • Public and private institutions of higher education operating in Arkansas that are eligible for Title IV federal student aid.
  • Undergraduate students with disabilities who are registered to receive accommodations (counts are based on registration with campus disability services).
  • Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) — receives, compiles, and publishes the data.
  • State policymakers and workforce/education planners who rely on the Comprehensive Arkansas Higher Education Annual Report.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Fiscal impact: The Arkansas Department of Education’s fiscal statement (dated 3/11/25) estimates $0 revenue impact and indicates no additional fiscal cost from the reporting requirement.
  • Reporting cadence: Annual institutional submission; inclusion in the annual statewide higher education report.
  • Sponsors: Representative Ennett and Senator B. Davis (per the Arkansas text).
  • Introduced: January 2, 2025 (per materials). The materials also include inconsistent legislative action logs (some entries indicate passage and enrollment; a separate header lists status as “Died In Conference” and other documents reflect a Mississippi appropriation process). Users should verify the final enacted status with the Arkansas legislature or ADHE for authoritative status.

If you want, I can:
- Verify final status and effective date with the Arkansas legislative records.
- Prepare a short briefing on potential policy implications (privacy, comparability across campuses, data use for workforce planning).

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

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