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HB 1903

Retirement; Retirement Act of 2025; effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Lepak

Makes ALEs optional for Arkansas districts, letting districts choose delivery models; requires ALEs to include placement options in discipline policies and annual DESE reporting.

Second Reading referred to Rules
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Bill Summary · HB 1903

Summary — HB 1903

Note on source documents
- The materials provided appear to combine text from multiple bills across different states (Arkansas, Illinois, and other draft amendments). This summary focuses on the core Arkansas content in the packet titled “HOUSE BILL 1903” (95th General Assembly, Regular Session 2025) that concerns alternative learning environments. Where other provisions appear (e.g., tax-credit caps, an Illinois human‑trafficking order bill), those are noted as likely unrelated inserts or amendments from other jurisdictions.

Main purpose

To amend Arkansas law to give school districts greater flexibility regarding Alternative Learning Environments (ALEs). The bill changes existing “required” language to optional language and clarifies the ways a district may satisfy ALE obligations; it also updates discipline‑policy requirements and reporting requirements for districts that operate ALEs.

Key provisions and changes

  • Amends Arkansas Code § 6-18-503(a)(1)(C):
    • Requires district discipline policies to include provisions for (i) placement of students with disciplinary, social, or behavioral problems in an alternative learning environment if the district provides one, and (ii) procedures for responding to reports received through the school safety and crisis line (Ark. Code § 6‑18‑111).
  • Amends Arkansas Code § 6-48-102 (Alternative learning environment required — Reporting):
    • Changes the mandate that a district “shall provide” an ALE to language allowing a district to “may provide” one or more ALEs (i.e., makes provision optional).
    • Clarifies multiple compliance methods: a district may provide an ALE by (A) establishing/operating its own ALE; (B) cooperating with one or more other districts; (C) using an ALE operated by an education service cooperative; or (D) partnering with state-supported higher‑education institutions or technical institutes to offer concurrent or technical education options for grades 8–12.
    • Reporting: districts that do provide an ALE must annually submit to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) (1) student race and gender information for students in the ALE; (2) any other student information required by DESE rule; and (3) an assurance statement of compliance with the chapter.

Who would be affected

  • Public school districts in Arkansas: districts would no longer be strictly required to operate an ALE but may do so by a range of methods.
  • Students with disciplinary, social, or behavioral issues: the bill requires districts that operate ALEs to include placement provisions in discipline policies.
  • DESE and district clerical/reporting staff: continued or expanded reporting obligations for districts that operate ALEs.
  • Education service cooperatives and postsecondary partners: potentially greater role as providers/partners for ALE options.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • A fiscal impact statement, prepared by the Arkansas Department of Education, indicates “No Fiscal Impact.”
  • The packet contains conflicting procedural history across jurisdictions. The provided “Legislative Actions” list mixes entries (reads, referrals, passage/enrollment, “Act 911”, and “Died In Committee”) inconsistent with a single, cohesive history. Users should consult the Arkansas General Assembly’s official website or legislative tracking system for the authoritative status and final disposition of Arkansas HB 1903.

Practical effect

  • The main statutory effect is to make ALE provision optional and broaden permissible delivery models, while retaining requirements for districts that choose to operate ALEs to (1) include ALE placement options in discipline policies and (2) report specified data to DESE. This gives districts more local flexibility in meeting student needs and structuring ALE services.

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

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