HB1161

The Support for Pregnant and Parenting Students Act requires Arkansas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to implement specific attendance and support policies for student parents. Schools must excuse absences related to pregnancy, childbirth, postnatal recovery, and medical or legal appointments regarding the student's child. The bill grants parenting students at least ten excused school days following the birth of a child and mandates that these absences do not count against standard chronic absenteeism or withdrawal policies. It requires schools to provide reasonable options for students to make up missed coursework without academic penalty. Additionally, the act mandates accommodations for lactating students, including access to a private, non-restroom space for expressing breast milk, power sources, storage, and cleaning facilities. Finally, schools must provide information to student parents regarding available on-campus or off-campus childcare services.