HB1986

House Bill 1986 amends Arkansas law to provide excused absences for public school students who are the children of fallen service members or fallen first responders. Under this bill, these students may be marked absent for mental health reasons or to attend support events related to traumatic loss, grief, or resiliency. To qualify for these excused absences, students must maintain good academic standing and a prior record of good attendance. Parents or guardians are required to provide written documentation regarding the nature of the event, and schools may use official Department of Education resources to verify supporting organizations. The bill mandates that students must complete any missed classwork according to school policies. Furthermore, these excused absences are strictly prohibited during periods of standardized testing.