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HB 1756

TO ALLOW A PARENT, LEGAL GUARDIAN, OR PERSON STANDING IN LOCO PARENTIS TO A STUDENT TO DOCUMENT AND MAINTAIN THE COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS THE STUDENT OBTAINS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Breanne Davis and 1 co-sponsor

Act 803 requires Arkansas high school students to complete 75 community service hours for graduation, allowing parents to document these hours for increased involvement.

Notification that HB1756 is now Act 803
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1756

Summary of House Bill 1756 (Act 803)

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1756, now known as Act 803, aims to empower parents, legal guardians, or individuals standing in loco parentis to document and maintain the community service hours that students obtain. This legislation is designed to streamline the process of tracking community service hours required for high school graduation, thereby enhancing parental involvement in students' educational experiences.

Key Provisions

  • Community Service Requirement: The bill amends Arkansas Code § 6-16-1901(a) to establish that beginning with the graduating class of 2026-2027, public high school students must complete a minimum of 75 clock hours of documented community service during grades 9 through 12 to qualify for graduation.

  • Documentation by Guardians:

    • Parents, legal guardians, or individuals in loco parentis are authorized to document and maintain the community service hours.
    • Documentation must include an attestation confirming that the student has completed the reported hours.

  • Audit Mechanism: The Arkansas Department of Education (DESE) will have the authority to audit the documented hours to ensure accuracy and compliance with the requirements.

Affected Parties

  • Students: High school students will benefit from increased flexibility in how their community service hours are documented.
  • Parents and Guardians: This bill allows parents and guardians to take a more active role in tracking their children's community service contributions.
  • Department of Education: DESE will need to develop a mechanism for auditing the submitted hours, which may require hiring additional personnel.

Fiscal Impact

The fiscal impact statement estimates that the implementation of this bill could cost up to $70,000. This includes potential expenses related to hiring additional staff to manage the documentation and auditing process. The breakdown of costs includes:
- Salary for a new employee: $50,222
- Matching benefits: $11,857
- Insurance costs: $7,920

Legislative Timeline

  • Introduced: March 12, 2025
  • Senate Amendment: April 14, 2025
  • Passed: April 10, 2025
  • Enrolled and Transmitted to Governor: April 15, 2025
  • Notification of Act: April 17, 2025

Conclusion

House Bill 1756 (Act 803) represents a significant shift in how community service hours are documented for high school students in Arkansas. By allowing parents and guardians to take on this responsibility, the bill aims to foster greater involvement in students' educational journeys while ensuring that the necessary oversight and auditing mechanisms are in place.

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

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