SB359

Senate Bill 359 appropriates $3,900,000 to the Arkansas Department of Education for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fund comprehensive out-of-school time programs. These grants are intended for eligible 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organizations that provide evidence-based academic enhancement and activities such as STEM, career readiness, and leadership development. To be eligible, organizations must have been in operation for over five years, possess a history of fiscal accountability, and provide a sustainability model showing at least 50% funding from non-state sources. The bill establishes rigorous operational requirements, including minimum weekly hours, mandatory data collection, and safety standards such as background checks. The Department of Education is authorized to promulgate rules for the administration and eligibility of the grants. The bill contains an emergency clause, ensuring the appropriation takes effect on July 1, 2025.