HB1728

House Bill 1728 mandates that Arkansas institutions of higher education receiving Title IV federal student aid must report annual data concerning students with disabilities who are registered for accommodations. The bill requires institutions to provide the total number of registered students, the percentage these students represent within the undergraduate population, and the number of degrees or certificates awarded to these students. This data will be integrated into the Comprehensive Arkansas Higher Education Annual Report. The legislation states that these requirements are intended to improve the state's understanding of postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities and help connect them to the workforce. Institutions are exempt from reporting if the disclosure would reveal personally identifiable information or if the number of students with disabilities constitutes less than three percent of the total undergraduate population. The act aims to facilitate better support systems to enhance educational and career success for this demographic.