reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 18 - STUDENTS (§§ 6-18-101 — 6-18-2608) › Subchapter 24 - STUDENT RESTRAINTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS (§§ 6-18-2401 — 6-18-2409) › Section 6-18-2409 - Crisis Intervention Training Program - Criteria

A program used by a school district to train school personnel on the use of physical restraint on a student shall:
(1)
Teach evidence-based techniques that are shown to be effective in the prevention and safe use of physical restraint;
(2)
Provide evidence-based skills training relating to positive support, conflict prevention, de-escalation, and crisis response techniques, including without limitation:
(A)
Guidelines on understanding when there is an imminent danger of serious physical harm to a student or others;
(B)
Guidelines on when to intervene when there is an imminent danger of serious physical harm to a student or others;
(C)
An emphasis on safety and the respect for the rights and dignity of each person involved in an incident that involves the use of physical restraint on a student;
(D)
An emphasis on using the least restrictive form of intervention and taking incremental steps in an intervention;
(E)
The provision of updates on information concerning alternatives to the use of restrictive interventions;
(F)
Strategies for the safe implementation of restrictive interventions;
(G)
The use of emergency safety interventions that include without limitation continuous assessment and monitoring of the physical well-being of a student and the safe use of physical restraint throughout the duration of a restrictive intervention;
(H)
Prohibited procedures;
(I)
Debriefing strategies, including without limitation the importance and purpose of debriefing; and
(J)
Documentation of methods and procedures concerning the use of physical restraint on a student;
(3)
Be competency-based and include measurable learning objectives, measurable testing using written documentation of behavior and observation of behavior on the objectives of the testing, and measurable methods to determine passing or failing the program;
(4)
Require recertification at least biennially; and
(5)
Be consistent with the philosophies, practices, and techniques for physical restraint provided under this subchapter.
Added by Act 2021, No. 1084,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 18 - STUDENTS (§§ 6-18-101 — 6-18-2608) › Subchapter 25 - ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM (§§ 6-18-2501 — 6-18-2511) › Section 6-18-2501 - Title

This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program".
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 42, eff. 3/8/2023.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 18 - STUDENTS (§§ 6-18-101 — 6-18-2608) › Subchapter 25 - ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM (§§ 6-18-2501 — 6-18-2511) › Section 6-18-2502 - Creation

There is created the "Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program".
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 42, eff. 3/8/2023.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 18 - STUDENTS (§§ 6-18-101 — 6-18-2608) › Subchapter 25 - ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM (§§ 6-18-2501 — 6-18-2511) › Section 6-18-2508 - Students with disabilities

The Department of Education shall ensure that parents of students with disabilities identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,
20 U.S.C. § 1400
et seq., as it existed on January 1, 2023, receive:
(1)
Notice that participation in the Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program is a parental placement under
20 U.S.C. § 1412
, as it existed on January 1, 2023; and
(2)
An explanation of the rights that parentally placed students possess under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,
20 U.S.C. § 1400
et seq., as it existed on January 1, 2023, and any applicable state laws and rules.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 42, eff. 3/8/2023.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 18 - STUDENTS (§§ 6-18-101 — 6-18-2608) › Subchapter 25 - ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM (§§ 6-18-2501 — 6-18-2511) › Section 6-18-2509 - Testing

(a)
(1)
Each participating school and participating service provider shall provide for each participating student to annually take an assessment approved by the State Board of Education, which shall include:
(A)
An examination identified by the state board that is required for students attending public schools; or
(B)
A state board-approved nationally recognized norm-referenced test or a statewide assessment, which measures, at a minimum, literacy and math.
(2)
(A)
However, a participating student who has an individualized service plan and is determined by a participating private school to need an exemption from standardized testing due to the existence of a significant cognitive disability is not required to take the test required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section.
(B)
If a student is not required to take the test required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section, a participating private school shall annually make provision for the student to take an alternate assessment approved by the state board or prepare a portfolio that provides information on a student's progress to the student's parent or guardian.
(b)
For a participating student who is served by a participating service provider that is not a private school that is a participating school during or after the 2024-2025 school year, his or her parent shall provide for his or her child who is a participating student to take an approved examination meeting the standards established under subsection (a) of this section.
(c)
(1)
The Department of Education shall develop a process for the collection and aggregate reporting of the results of examinations required under this section, which shall include the public dissemination of the results collected by participating private schools and participating service providers.
(2)
However, the reporting required under subdivision (c)(1) of this section shall:
(A)
Not identify any individual student; and
(B)
Ensure that the summary results of the examinations required under this section are provided to parents of participating students.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 42, eff. 3/8/2023.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 18 - STUDENTS (§§ 6-18-101 — 6-18-2608) › Subchapter 25 - ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM (§§ 6-18-2501 — 6-18-2511) › Section 6-18-2510 - Reports

(a)
(1)
Not later than September 30 of each year, the Department of Education shall submit a written report regarding the implementation of the Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program to the:
(A)
Legislative Council, or if the General Assembly is in session, the Joint Budget Committee;
(B)
House Committee on Education; and
(C)
Senate Committee on Education.
(2)
The department may contract with an outside entity to compile the report required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section.
(b)
The report required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall include the following information without limitation:
(1)
The total number of students currently participating in the program;
(2)
A list of all participating schools and participating service providers;
(3)
The total student enrollment of each participating school and the percentage of the total enrollment of each school represented by participating students;
(4)
Aggregated test result data for participating students, from the most recent year available;
(5)
The percentage of funds used for each type of qualifying expense;
(6)
An analysis of the program's fiscal impact;
(7)
The retention rates for participating students enrolled in participating schools;
(8)
The results of a parental satisfaction survey that shall be administered by the department; and
(9)
Other relevant data as determined by the department.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 42, eff. 3/8/2023.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 18 - STUDENTS (§§ 6-18-101 — 6-18-2608) › Subchapter 25 - ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM (§§ 6-18-2501 — 6-18-2511) › Section 6-18-2511 - Legal proceedings

(a)
There shall be no liability on the part of the Department of Education or the state or of any public school or public school district based on the award of or use of an account under this subchapter.
(b)
Nothing in this section shall be construed as a waiver of sovereign immunity or any other defenses available to the State of Arkansas.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 42, eff. 3/8/2023.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 18 - STUDENTS (§§ 6-18-101 — 6-18-2608) › Subchapter 26 - STUDENT DATA VENDOR SECURITY ACT (§§ 6-18-2601 — 6-18-2608) › Section 6-18-2601 - Title

This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Student Data Vendor Security Act".
Added by Act 2023, No. 754,§ 1, eff. 6/1/2024.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 18 - STUDENTS (§§ 6-18-101 — 6-18-2608) › Subchapter 26 - STUDENT DATA VENDOR SECURITY ACT (§§ 6-18-2601 — 6-18-2608) › Section 6-18-2602 - Purpose

The purpose of this subchapter is to increase security and transparency in the sharing and use of student data with and by third-party vendors.
Added by Act 2023, No. 754,§ 1, eff. 6/1/2024.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 18 - STUDENTS (§§ 6-18-101 — 6-18-2608) › Subchapter 26 - STUDENT DATA VENDOR SECURITY ACT (§§ 6-18-2601 — 6-18-2608) › Section 6-18-2605 - School service contract provider - Data transparency

(a)
(1)
Each school service contract provider shall provide clear information that is understandable by a layperson explaining:
(A)
The elements of student personally identifiable information that the school service contract provider collects;
(B)
The purpose for which the school service contract provider collects the student personally identifiable information; and
(C)
How the school service contract provider uses and shares the student personally identifiable information.
(2)
The information required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall include all student personally identifiable information that the school service contract provider collects regardless of whether it is initially collected or ultimately held individually or in the aggregate.
(3)
A school service contract provider shall:
(A)
Provide the information required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section to each public education entity that the school service contract provider contracts with in a format that is easily accessible; and
(B)
Update the information required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section as necessary to maintain accuracy.
(b)
A school service contract provider shall:
(1)
Provide clear notice to each public education entity that it contracts with before making material changes to its privacy policy for school services that would result in a material reduction in the level of privacy and security provided for student personally identifiable information; and
(2)
Facilitate access to and the correction of any factually inaccurate student personally identifiable information by a contracting local education agency in response to a request for correction that the local education agency receives and to which the local education agency responds.
(c)
Upon discovering the misuse or unauthorized release of student personally identifiable information held by a school service contract provider, a subcontractor of a school service contract provider, or a subsequent subcontractor of a school service contract provider, the school service contract provider shall notify the contracting public education entity as soon as possible, regardless of whether the misuse or unauthorized release is a result of a material breach of the terms of a contract.
Added by Act 2023, No. 754,§ 1, eff. 6/1/2024.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 18 - STUDENTS (§§ 6-18-101 — 6-18-2608) › Subchapter 26 - STUDENT DATA VENDOR SECURITY ACT (§§ 6-18-2601 — 6-18-2608) › Section 6-18-2607 - School service contract provider - Data security and destruction

(a)
(1)
A school service contract provider shall maintain a comprehensive information security program that is reasonably designed to protect the security, privacy, confidentiality, and integrity of student personally identifiable information.
(2)
The comprehensive information security program required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall make use of appropriate administrative, technological, and physical safeguards.
(b)
During the term of a contract between a school service contract provider and a public education entity, if the contracting public education entity requests destruction of a student's student personally identifiable information collected, generated, or inferred as a result of the contract, the contracting school service contract provider shall destroy the student personally identifiable information as soon as practicable after the date of the request unless:
(1)
The school service contract provider obtains the consent of the student or the student's parent to retain the student's student personally identifiable information; or
(2)
The student has transferred to another public education entity and the receiving public education entity has requested that the school service contract provider retain the student's student personally identifiable information.
(c)
(1)
Following the termination or conclusion of a contract between a school service contract provider and a public education entity, the school service contract provider shall, within the time period specified in the contract, destroy all student personally identifiable information collected, generated, or inferred as a result of the contract.
(2)
If the contract does not specify a period for destruction of student personally identifiable information, the school service contract provider shall destroy the student personally identifiable information as soon as practicable after the student personally identifiable information is no longer needed for the purpose of the contract between the school service contract provider and the public education entity.
(3)
Upon request of the public education entity, the school service contract provider shall notify the public education entity of the date upon which all of the student personally identifiable information is destroyed.
Added by Act 2023, No. 754,§ 1, eff. 6/1/2024.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-101 - Rules and standards generally

The Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation shall promulgate rules and standards governing the school transportation program in school districts that promote and provide a safe, efficient, and economical system of pupil transportation.
Acts 1943, No. 156, § 1; 1945, No. 31, § 1; 1947, No. 420, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1810; Acts 2009, No. 1473, § 4.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-102 - Authority to transport students - Vehicles and operators

(a)
The board of directors of each school district in the state is authorized to purchase vehicles and otherwise provide means for transporting pupils to and from school, when necessary.
(b)
To this end it may hire or purchase such school buses or other vehicles and hire persons to operate them, or make such other arrangements as it may deem best, affording safe and convenient transportation to the pupils, and the board of directors may pay for all such property or services out of the funds of the district.
(c)
Any contract with any member of the school district board of directors for the transportation of children or to drive a bus shall be null and void.
(d)
A bus or other vehicle used in transporting pupils in one (1) district shall not be used to transport pupils in another district without the consent of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, except as specifically allowed by law.
(e)
The buses shall be of such specifications as may be prescribed by uniform rules of the Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1583, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 420,§ 1, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 1931, No. 169, § 102; Pope's Dig., § 11545; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1801; Acts 1999, No. 1078, § 75; 2009, No. 1473, § 5.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-103 - Directors exempt from liability

(a)
It is declared that the directors of all school districts and special school districts in this state in the discharge of their duties as such directors act in a necessary governmental function.
(b)
Therefore, no action for personal injuries or damage to property arising out of the acts, conduct, or omissions of such directors in their official capacities shall be brought or maintained in this state against directors personally.
Acts 1943, No. 156, § 3; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1812.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-104 - Bus drivers generally

Drivers or operators of school buses shall comply with all laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to school bus drivers or operators not in conflict with the provisions of §
6-19-101
, §
6-19-103
, §
6-19-105
[repealed], and §
6-19-106
.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 267, eff. 7/24/2019.
Acts 1943, No. 156, § 1; 1945, No. 31, § 1; 1947, No. 420, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1810.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-106 - Bus drivers - Qualifications

A person who has been convicted within the past three (3) years of operating a motor vehicle in a reckless manner or while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or who is under nineteen (19) years of age on June 30 following his or her last birthday shall not be permitted or employed to operate a school bus, either privately or publicly owned, operated by public school districts and used to transport pupils to and from the public schools in the State of Arkansas.
Amended by Act 2021, No. 126,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 757,§ 41, eff. 7/24/2019.
Acts 1943, No. 156, § 1; 1945, No. 31, § 1; 1947, No. 420, § 1; 1985, No. 757, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1810; Acts 1989, No. 794, § 1; 1999, No. 391, § 15.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-107 - Bus drivers - Application for employment - Driving records

(a)
(1)
An applicant for employment as a school bus driver shall submit an application to the school district in which he or she seeks employment.
(2)
The application shall include a statement signed by the applicant that authorizes the release of his or her traffic violation report from the Office of Driver Services to provide the school district with the applicant's driving record.
(b)
The office shall report the applicant's driving record without charge to the school district requesting the record.
(c)
(1)
The applicant's driving record shall be evaluated according to guidelines established by the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation before permanent employment.
(2)
The school district may hire an applicant as a bus driver on a temporary basis until official verification of the driving record is received and evaluated.
(3)
The school district shall review and maintain a file of semiannual reports on the driving records of school bus drivers.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 793,§ 7, eff. 8/1/2023.
Acts 1985, No. 757, § 2; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1826; Acts 2005, No. 1327, § 3.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-109 - Bus drivers - Seat belts

The driver or operator of a school bus shall wear a seat belt at all times while operating the school bus whenever the bus is so equipped.
Acts 1985, No. 757, § 5; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1827.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-111 - Bus rules - Design and operation

(a)
The Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation shall adopt and enforce rules to govern the design and operation of all school buses used for the transportation of school children when the buses are owned and operated by a school district or privately owned and operated under contract with a school district in this state.
(b)
Such rules shall by reference be made a part of any contract with a school district.
(c)
Every school district, its officers and employees, and every person employed under contract by a school district shall be subject to the rules.
(d)
Any officer or employee of any school district who violates any of the rules or fails to include an obligation to comply with the rules in any contract executed by him or her on behalf of a school district shall be guilty of misconduct and subject to removal from office or employment.
(e)
Any person operating a school bus under contract with a school district who fails to comply with any such rules shall be guilty of breach of contract, and the contract shall be cancelled after notice by the responsible officers of the school district.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 268, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 420,§ 3, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 1937, No. 300, § 102; Pope's Dig., § 6759; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1809.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-112 - Tax exemption for school vehicles

(a)
All motor vehicles owned and operated by public school districts in Arkansas and used exclusively for school purposes shall be exempt from taxation by the state, county, or municipality.
(b)
This exemption is to include license tag fees and charges as well as property taxes.
Acts 1927, No. 241, § 1; 1951, No. 43, § 1; 1953, No. 65, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1816.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-113 - Registration exemption for buses

No school bus owned by a school district in this state shall be required to be registered under the motor vehicle registration laws of this state.
Acts 1963, No. 528, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1817.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-114 - Purchase of buses

(a)
School buses purchased with loans from the Revolving Loan Fund must meet the prescribed minimum standards, laws, rules, and regulations for school buses and must be owned and operated by the district purchasing them.
(b)
(1)
Except as provided under §
6-21-306(b)
, the purchase of school buses with loans from the fund shall be made upon competitive bids.
(2)
Forms for bids shall be approved by the State Board of Education.
(3)
The district shall advertise for bids by publication of notice in a newspaper having bona fide circulation in the county where the district is located, one (1) time a week for two (2) weeks, giving the date and place of opening bids.
(4)
The first publication of notice shall be not less than thirty (30) days from the date set for opening bids and awarding of contracts.
(c)
(1)
Any school district which shall desire that the state board purchase buses for that school district, instead of making the purchase as provided in this section, may apply to the state board to make the purchase for it.
(2)
If the state board shall receive within a sixty-day period application for the purchase of ten (10) or more buses from one (1) or more districts, the purchase shall, collectively, be made by the state board as is provided in this section for advertising for and accepting bids by a school district, except that the advertisement for bids shall be in some newspaper having a statewide circulation.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 269, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2015, No. 846,§ 9, eff. 7/22/2015.
Acts 1943, No. 176, §§ 5-7; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 80-1806 -- 80-1808.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-115 - Bus permit numbers

(a)
(1)
The Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation shall establish a system of permit numbers to be used in identifying school buses owned or operated by or in behalf of school districts in this state.
(2)
The system of permit numbers shall assign an identifying prefix number to each school district with provisions for consecutive numbers thereafter for buses of the district.
(b)
Each school district in this state shall be notified of the permit number assigned the school district under this section and shall be furnished instructions for identifying all school buses owned or operated by or in behalf of the school district.
(c)
(1)
The permit number assigned each school district and the school district name shall be painted in letters not less than six inches (6") high on both sides and on the rear of all school buses owned by the district or used in behalf of the district.
(2)
Permit numbers shall be painted on the buses in compliance with the rules promulgated by the commission.
(d)
No school district in this state shall operate a school bus nor shall any school bus be operated for or in behalf of a school district unless the school district name and permit number has been painted on the bus in compliance with this section.
(e)
A school district failing to comply with this section shall be penalized by the withholding of all transportation aid due the district from the state until the school district is in compliance with this section.
Acts 1961, No. 243, §§ 1-3; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 80-1818 -- 80-1820; Acts 2009, No. 1473, § 7.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-116 - Bus mirrors

(a)
Every school bus used for the transportation of pupils to or from school shall be equipped with one (1) or more mirrors of sufficient size so positioned on the bus as to permit the driver to see clearly the area immediately in front of the bus.
(b)
The Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation is authorized to adopt appropriate rules as it deems necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of this section.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 270, eff. 7/24/2019.
Acts 1979, No. 646, §§ 1, 2; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 80-1809.1, 80-1809.2; Acts 2005, No. 1327, § 6.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-117 - School bus safety equipment - Definition

(a)
As used in this section, "school bus" means:
(1)
A motor vehicle designed to carry ten (10) or more passengers that is:
(A)
Owned by a public or a governmental agency or a private school and operated for the transportation of students to or from school or school-sponsored activities; or
(B)
Privately owned and operated for compensation for the transportation of students to or from school or school-sponsored activities; and
(2)
A motor vehicle designed to carry more than twenty-five (25) passengers is exempt from this section if the motor vehicle is:
(A)
Owned by a public or a governmental agency or a private school and operated for the transportation of students to or from school-sponsored activities but not used to transport students on any scheduled school bus route; or
(B)
Privately owned and operated for compensation under contract to a school district and used for the transportation of students to or from school-sponsored activities.
(b)
(1)
Any new school bus whose function involves the loading or discharging of students as passengers shall be equipped with a flashing white strobe light in order to provide greater visibility to drivers in approaching vehicles.
(2)
The strobe light shall be in addition to those flasher lights required under §
27-51-1002
.
(c)
Any new school bus whose function involves the loading or discharging of students as passengers on a regular route shall be equipped with an electric, air, or hydraulic-operated crossing gate in order to prevent a student from crossing in front of the bus in such a way that the school bus driver is unlikely to see him or her.
(d)
On and after July 1, 1997, all other school buses shall be retrofitted with a flashing white strobe light and an electric, air, or hydraulic-operated crossing gate for purposes as described in this section.
(e)
No later than July 1 of each year, the superintendent of each local school district shall certify to the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation that the district is in compliance with the provisions of this section.
(f)
The Director of the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation shall cause to be publicized the third week of October as National School Bus Safety Week.
(g)
If funding is provided as required in §
6-19-130(e)
, a school bus that is purchased new or leased and that is to be used in Arkansas on or after January 1, 2018, shall be equipped with a passenger restraint system as defined in §
6-19-130
in a number sufficient to allow each student who is being transported in the school bus to use a passenger restraint system.
Amended by Act 2017, No. 375,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2017.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 420,§ 4, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 1995, No. 805, §§ 1-3; 1997, No. 1302, § 3; 2005, No. 1327, § 7; 2007, No. 999, § 2.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-119 - School bus passengers required to be seated - Definition

(a)
As used in this section, "school bus" means:
(1)
A motor vehicle designed to carry ten (10) or more passengers that is:
(A)
Owned by a public or a governmental agency or a private school and operated for the transportation of students to or from school or school-sponsored activities; or
(B)
Privately owned and operated for compensation for the transportation of students to or from school or school-sponsored activities; and
(2)
A motor vehicle designed to carry more than twenty-five (25) passengers is exempt from this section if the motor vehicle is:
(A)
Owned by a public or a governmental agency or a private school and operated for the transportation of students to or from school-sponsored activities but not used to transport students on any scheduled school bus route; or
(B)
Privately owned and operated for compensation under contract to a school district and used for the transportation of students to or from school-sponsored activities.
(b)
A school bus driver shall not operate the school bus until every passenger is seated.
(c)
(1)
The superintendent of each public school in this state is responsible for ensuring that no school bus is scheduled to transport more students than can be reasonably seated in the school bus.
(2)
Any superintendent who knowingly violates subdivision (c)(1) of this section shall be guilty of a violation and upon conviction shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100).
Amended by Act 2013, No. 420,§ 5, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 2001, No. 1744, § 1; 2005, No. 1994, § 67; 2007, No. 999, § 3.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-120 - Operation of school bus while using cellular telephone - Definitions

(a)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Cellular telephone" means a wireless two-way communication device that requires the operator to dial numbers manually and that:
(A)
Includes radio-telephone communications used in cellular telephone service, personal communication service, or the functional equivalent of a radio-telephone communications line used in cellular telephone service or a personal communication service; and
(B)
Does not include a citizens band radio, a citizens band radio hybrid, or any device with push-to-talk capabilities used in a similar manner as a citizens band radio or a citizens band radio hybrid; and
(2)
"School bus" means every motor vehicle owned by a public school district or operated under contract for a public school district and used for the transportation of children to or from school or school-sponsored activities.
(b)
Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person shall not operate a school bus while using a cellular telephone.
(c)
This section does not apply to the use of a cellular telephone:
(1)
For the purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation:
(A)
An emergency system response operator or 911 public safety communications dispatcher;
(B)
A hospital or emergency room;
(C)
A physician's office or health clinic;
(D)
An ambulance or fire department rescue service;
(E)
A fire department, fire protection district, or volunteer fire department; or
(F)
A police department;
(2)
To call for assistance if there is a mechanical breakdown or other mechanical problem impairing the operation of the bus; or
(3)
When the school bus is parked.
(d)
A person who violates this section is guilty of a violation and may be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
(e)
Except as otherwise provided under law, a person operating a school bus may use a two-way radio communications device or any device used in a similar manner as a two-way radio communications device as a means of communicating with:
(1)
Central dispatch; or
(2)
The school transportation or its equivalent.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 577,§ 2, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 577,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019.
Acts 2003, No. 219, § 1.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-121 - Approved buses

After April 11, 2005, no public school in the state shall purchase nonconforming vans, as defined by the federal motor vehicle safety standards in existence on January 1, 2005, to transport students to or from school or to any school-related activity.
Acts 2005, No. 1979, § 1.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-122 - Safe transportation of school children on buses and other vehicles

The Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation or its successor shall undertake measures to provide for the safe, reliable, and efficient transportation of school children, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1)
Develop and implement a comprehensive maintenance management program for all preventive and other repair or replacement maintenance activities performed, including operating and maintenance documentation, on all public school buses; and
(2)
Ensure that the uniform comprehensive maintenance management program is adopted and followed by all school districts.
Acts 2005, No. 1979, § 2; 2007, No. 999, § 4.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-124 - [Repealed]

Repealed by Act 2017, No. 929,§ 5, eff. 8/1/2017.
Acts 2009, No. 827, § 1.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-125 - Safety equipment grant pilot program - Definitions

(a)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Electronic warning device" means a nine-inch by twenty-four-inch (9" x 24") electronic driver alert sign that uses a light-emitting diode (LED) screen and is to be mounted between the two (2) windows of the rear emergency exit door on a Type C bus or immediately below the rear emergency exit window on a Type D bus;
(2)
"High incident route" means a school bus route that has been identified by the school district or the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation as having a history of repeated and verified incidents of operators of motor vehicles illegally passing the school bus during the loading or unloading of passengers on the school bus route in violation of §
27-51-1004
; and
(3)
(A)
"Video recording device" means a device that includes at least one (1) video camera and a data recording device that is installed on a school bus to capture video or digital images of a violation of §
27-51-1004
.
(B)
A video recording device that is issued under this section shall have specifications and features that allow it to capture video or digital images of at least two (2) of the following:
(i)
The motor vehicle;
(ii)
The operator of the motor vehicle; or
(iii)
The license plate on the motor vehicle.
(b)
The division shall create a school bus safety equipment grant pilot program, subject to the appropriation and availability of funding.
(c)
The goal of the school bus safety equipment grant pilot program is to provide school districts with video recording devices or other electronic warning devices for school buses that travel on high incident routes.
(d)
(1)
A school district may apply to the division for a grant for a video recording device or electronic warning device for the installation and use on the school district's school buses.
(2)
The division shall award a grant of equipment to a school district to improve the safety of school bus transportation to the school district applicants that are most in need as determined by the following factors:
(A)
The number of high incident routes;
(B)
The number of school bus routes;
(C)
The type of roads;
(D)
The number of students transported on school buses; and
(E)
The size of the school district.
(e)
The grant of equipment shall be the video recording device or electronic warning device purchased by the division and does not include installation costs.
(f)
The school district shall certify to the division within forty-five (45) days after receiving the equipment that the equipment was installed according to the division's specifications on a school bus that travels on a high incident route.
(g)
The division may promulgate rules for the implementation and administration of this section.
Acts 2009, No. 1207, § 1.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-126 - Notice on school buses

(a)
If a school bus is not equipped with an electronic warning device as defined under §
6-19-125
, a school district may have printed or otherwise displayed on the exterior of a school bus between the two (2) windows of the rear emergency exit door on a Type C bus or immediately below the rear emergency exit window on a Type D bus the following notification:
"ARKANSAS LAW: STOP WHEN RED LIGHTS ARE FLASHING".
(b)
A school bus that is purchased on or after January 1, 2011, shall be equipped with either:
(1)
A notice printed or otherwise displayed as provided under subsection (a) of this section; or
(2)
An electronic warning device as defined under §
6-19-125
.
Acts 2009, No. 1207, § 2; 2011, No. 1006, § 2.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-127 - Parental monitors on school buses

(a)
The purpose of this section is to protect children from abusive behavior while riding a school bus.
(b)
A school district board of directors may create and implement a program to authorize a parent of a child enrolled in the school district to act as a monitor in a school bus.
(c)
The Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation shall adopt rules to implement this section.
(d)
A parental monitor under this section is a qualified volunteer under the Arkansas Volunteer Immunity Act, §
16-6-101
et seq.
Acts 2011, No. 984, § 1.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-128 - [Repealed]

Repealed by Act 2017, No. 929,§ 6, eff. 8/1/2017.
Added by Act 2013, No. 1195,§ 1, eff. 8/16/2013.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-129 - Advertising on school buses

(a)
A school district board of directors may elect to allow advertising that meets the requirements established by the Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation on school buses.
(b)
Any revenue generated from advertisements on school buses shall be used for school transportation purposes only, as determined by the school district board of directors.
(c)
The commission shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
Added by Act 2015, No. 941,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 19 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 6-19-101 — 6-19-131) › Section 6-19-131 - Automated school bus safety camera - Definition

(a)
As used in this section, "automated school bus safety camera" means a device that is affixed to a school bus and is synchronized to automatically record video or one (1) or more sequenced photographs of a motor vehicle passing a school bus in violation of §
27-51-1004
.
(b)
A public school district or an open-enrollment public charter school may:
(1)
Install and operate an automated school bus safety camera on a school bus; and
(2)
Enter into a contract with a private vendor to install and operate the automated school bus safety camera.
(c)
A public school district or an open-enrollment public charter school that uses automated school bus safety cameras shall provide a video or photograph recorded by an automated school bus safety camera for use as evidence in a criminal or civil proceeding for a violation of an offense under §
27-51-1001
et seq. when requested by an investigating law enforcement agency.
Added by Act 2017, No. 398,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2017.
Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 20 - FINANCES (§§ 6-20-101 — 6-20-2704) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-20-101 — 6-20-107) › Section 6-20-102 - Guidance program - State aid

(a)
A school district may initiate a minimum of a one-half (1/2) time guidance program and receive a pro rata share of the regular state aid for a counselor who has completed six (6) semester hours in guidance and counseling.
(b)
Aid for additional years will be continued provided that the counselor makes six (6) semester hours' progress each year until twenty-one (21) semester hours in guidance and counseling are acquired.
Acts 1977, No. 687, § 7; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-467.