HB1945

House Bill 1945 amends existing Arkansas law regarding the Public School Choice Act of 2015 and the Arkansas Opportunity Public School Choice Act. The primary purpose of the legislation is to expand school choice options by allowing students to transfer not only to nonresident school districts but also to different public schools within their own resident school district. It updates definitions and procedures for these transfers, including guidelines for when a school can deny a transfer due to a lack of capacity. The bill establishes that transfers operate as an irrevocable election for each school year and outlines the requirements for accepting credits and awarding diplomas for transferring students. It also mandates that school districts publicize these transfer opportunities to families. Additionally, the bill prohibits discrimination based on various protected characteristics regarding the acceptance of transfer students.