TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT RETURN TEMPORARILY ISSUED ITEMS, RESOURCES, MATERIALS, AND PROPERTY BELONGING TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL IN A HOME SCHOOL.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Wardlaw

HB 1490 sought to simplify home school enrollment for public school students by removing the requirement to return school property, but it did not advance in the legislature.

Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Summary of House Bill 1490

Bill Number: HB 1490
Title: To Repeal the Requirement that a Public School Student Return Temporarily Issued Items, Resources, Materials, and Property Belonging to a Public School in Order to be Eligible to Enroll in a Home School
Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: February 14, 2025
Sponsor: Representative Wardlaw

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1490 aimed to amend existing legislation regarding the eligibility of public school students to enroll in home schools. The primary intent of the bill was to eliminate the requirement that students must return temporarily issued items, resources, materials, and property belonging to a public school before they could enroll in a home school.

Key Provisions

Repeal of Requirement: The bill proposed the repeal of Arkansas Code § 6-15-503(f), which mandated that students return any items issued by their public school to be eligible for home school enrollment.

Current Conditions for Enrollment: Under the existing law, students had to either return the items, pay for them, or wait until the semester ended to enroll in a home school. The bill sought to remove these conditions entirely.

Impact

Affected Parties: The repeal would primarily affect public school students wishing to transition to home schooling. It would simplify the enrollment process for these students by removing administrative barriers related to the return of school property.

No Fiscal Impact: According to the fiscal impact statement prepared by the Arkansas Department of Education, the bill would not have any financial implications for state revenue.

Legislative Timeline

February 14, 2025: HB 1490 was filed.

February 17, 2025: The bill was read for the first time, rules were suspended, and it was read a second time before being referred to the House Education Committee.

May 5, 2025: The bill died in the House Committee at Sine Die adjournment, meaning it did not advance for further consideration.

Conclusion

While HB 1490 aimed to facilitate the transition from public schooling to home schooling by removing specific eligibility requirements, it ultimately did not progress through the legislative process. The bill's failure to advance means that the existing requirements for public school students wishing to enroll in home schools remain in effect.