All Roll Calls
Yes: 199 • No: 16
ArkansasHB18102025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
Sponsored By: Jane English (Republican), Joey L. Carr (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
14 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 3 costs, 4 mixed.
School staff pay gains and changes
The law repeals the former extra salary step for teachers certified to teach students with sensory impairments. It establishes eligibility for a salary differential with Arkansas Department of Education certification for blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard-of-hearing students. The law does not state the differential amount or payment schedule. School teacher salaries must rise accordingly when lawmakers fund raises for district and open-enrollment public charter school teachers. Employees may also receive approved extra-duty pay outside normal hours, capped at $5,000 per school term per employee each fiscal year.
Adults gain access to career programs
People older than 21 who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing can attend available career and technical programs. Attendance follows the combined school's policy. The law does not state program costs or capacity.
Families lose old school attendance penalties
The law repeals the old requirement that certain deaf or blind minors attend the school for at least 32 weeks yearly. It also removes the related attendance offenses, fines, and enforcement rules. The board can still adopt attendance policies needed for the school's purpose and function.
School employees receive state worker benefits
Combined-school employees are state employees for the applicable state personnel laws. They receive the benefits and follow the policies and procedures those laws provide. Teachers remain subject to teaching-license requirements set by law and the State Board of Education. These provisions do not list benefit amounts or set a new license standard or fee.
Blind graduates lose aid and gifts
The law ends postsecondary aid for qualifying Arkansas residents who graduated from the Arkansas School for the Blind. Former aid covered necessary expenses, including readers, up to $750 per fiscal year for no more than four years. It required enrollment in a university, college, music conservatory, or technical institution, insufficient personal resources, and living parents unable to pay. The law also ends authorized graduation gifts of braille copies of the Sacred Scriptures and the U.S. Constitution. Those gifts covered graduates who completed the course, were honorably discharged, and learned to read by touch.
School can dismiss students for misconduct
The school board can dismiss a student for disciplinary violations when the superintendent recommends dismissal. The board must follow school policy and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
School loses out-of-state placement funding authority
The law repeals the former blind school's specific authority to fund certain out-of-state educational placements. That authority covered children under 21 who were both deaf and blind when Arkansas had no educational facilities for them. Available funds could cover room, board, tuition, transportation, and other education costs. The provision does not identify a replacement funding program.
Free school access for Arkansas families
Arkansas residents ages 3–21 who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing can apply for free admission. Admission follows school policy and is not guaranteed. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) team must refer a student when it finds the school is the right placement. Otherwise, a parent, guardian, or person acting as a parent may apply under school policy. Students accepted through that route must leave their current school, and the combined school takes over their IEP requirements.
Families get yearly school service information
State- or federally funded education providers must share school service information at least annually during an IEP meeting. This applies to students ages 3–21 who qualify under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Parents, guardians, or people acting as parents receive information about services and whether the school may be a suitable placement. The combined school must also keep student records under the laws and rules for public school districts.
Tax donations support the combined school
For tax years beginning on or after January 2, 2025, the income-tax donation option supports the combined school. Taxpayers can give $1, $5, $10, or a write-in amount from a refund or as an extra contribution. Contributions are voluntary and do not change tax liability. The former rule splitting quarterly contributions equally between the two separate school accounts ends.
Arkansas combines deaf and blind schools
Beginning July 1, 2025, both schools' staff, property, records, contracts, duties, and remaining funds transfer to one combined school. Existing rules, licenses, and standards stay in force until changed or repealed. A five-member board appointed by the Governor, with Senate approval, oversees the school. Members must be Arkansas residents and qualified voters; at least one must be deaf and fluent in sign language. The board selects a licensed superintendent from the education secretary's recommended candidates and may require school officials to live on campus.
Combined school gets shared funding tools
The combined school's account supports maintenance, operations, and improvements, with a listed maximum allocation of $20.031769 million. Federal vocational-education reimbursements stay outside this account. When money is available and a need exists, the school may buy electronic textbooks, adaptive technology, and library materials. School property, including property held in trust for the school, is tax-exempt. Student-made item sales go into an appropriated cash fund for student-related purposes chosen by the superintendent, unless the board approves different treatment.
Out-of-state students can attend with tuition
Eligible students living outside Arkansas can attend the combined school under its admission policy. They must pay tuition and fees. The law does not state those amounts.
Student travel support and lodging limits
The school may use general revenue for student buses, motor vehicles, and airline travel for out-of-state trips. Chartered vehicles must be licensed to do business in Arkansas and meet minimum federal transportation safety standards. Transportation is not guaranteed for every student. The school must offer eligible students boarding and lodging under school policy, but state-funded stays require specific legal authorization. Vacation stays require the superintendent's prior written approval for a school event, an on-campus event, or a policy-defined emergency.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Jane English
Republican • Senate
Joey L. Carr
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/15/2025
House Vote - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 2:46:54 PM
Yes: 84 • No: 8 • Other: 5
Senate vote • 4/9/2025
Senate Vote - Wednesday, April 9, 2025 8:24:58 PM
Yes: 34 • No: 1
House vote • 4/1/2025
House Vote - Tuesday, April 1, 2025 2:31:35 PM
Yes: 81 • No: 7 • Other: 8
Actions Timeline
Notification that HB1810 is now Act 796
4/17/2025HouseCorrectly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
4/16/2025HouseSenate amendment # 1 read and concurred in.
4/15/2025HouseReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass, concur in Senate Amendment No. 1
4/14/2025HouseRe-referred to the Committee on EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE
4/10/2025HouseReturned from Senate as passed, as amended # 1
4/10/2025HouseReturned to the House as passed as amended # 1 .
4/9/2025SenateEMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
4/9/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/9/2025SenateREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
4/8/2025SenateAmendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
4/8/2025SenatePlaced on second reading for purpose of amendment.
4/8/2025SenateReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 1
4/7/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE
4/1/2025SenateReceived from the House.
4/1/2025SenateEMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
4/1/2025HouseRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
4/1/2025HouseREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
3/31/2025HouseAmendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.
3/31/2025HousePlaced on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
3/31/2025HouseReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass as amended 1
3/20/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE
3/17/2025HouseFiled
3/17/2025House
Bill Text
HB1810 - Introduced
3/17/2025
Act Version
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