HB1527

House Bill 1527 amends Arkansas law to clarify the requirements for public school districts to grant excused absences to students participating in 4-H activities. The bill explicitly mandates that students involved in 4-H programs, alongside existing provisions for National FFA and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America members, are entitled to excused absences for program participation. It grants local school boards the authority to set the maximum number of such excused absences within their attendance policies. To qualify, 4-H organizers must provide documentation of student participation upon request. Students granted these absences must be given the opportunity to make up missed schoolwork without suffering grade penalties. The bill also prohibits these excused absences if they conflict with statewide testing periods or if the student is currently under disciplinary action that restricts extracurricular participation.