Arkansas Military Legislation & Policies

Medicaid Waivers

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01/12/2017

Allow Service Members to Retain Their Earned Priority for Receiving Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers Final Legislation

While the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) does not have a separate procedure for military families with special needs children who are on the waiting list, they are treated like all other Arkansas citizens. They remain on the waiting list even when they are out of state subject to staying in touch with DDS per their address verification letter. A military family is removed from the list ONLY if they specifically ask to do so.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Child Abuse Identification and Reporting

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ENACTED

02/17/2017HB-1372

03/13/2017HB-1372

03/21/2017

Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Final Legislation

When the Arkansas Child Abuse hotline accepts a report involving as an alleged victim a child of an active duty service member, the Arkansas Department of Human Services or the Department of Arkansas State Police shall immediately notify the applicable family advocacy program or other person or entity designated by the military authority for the military installation associated with the service member.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Military Spouse Teacher Certification3/3 Sub-priorities passed

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ENACTED

Expediting Applications

03/30/2018

Expediting Applications Final Legislation

According to the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) website on Licensure by Reciprocity -- Arkansas recognizes a teaching license from another state or country based on the ADE licensure rules and/or the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement for Educator Licensure. They do grant reciprocity to educators with a standard license and 3 years of teaching experience. Subsequent to the above policy being enacted, the Arkansas legislature enacted SB 564 (Act 820) in 2019, creating a comprehensive licensure portability oppurtunity for educators who are active duty members, veterans or their spouses.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Temporary Licensing

03/30/2018

Temporary Licensing Final Legislation

According to the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) website on Licensure by Reciprocity -- Arkansas recognizes a teaching license from another state or country based on the ADE licensure rules and/or the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement for Educator Licensure. They do grant reciprocity to educators with a standard license and 3 years of teaching experience. Subsequent to the above policy being enacted, the Arkansas legislature enacted SB 564 (Act 820) in 2019, creating a comprehensive licensure portability oppurtunity for educators who are active duty members, veterans or their spouses.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Improving Endorsements

03/30/2018

Improving Endorsements Final Legislation

According to the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) website on Licensure by Reciprocity -- Arkansas recognizes a teaching license from another state or country based on the ADE licensure rules and/or the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement for Educator Licensure. They do grant reciprocity to educators with a standard license and 3 years of teaching experience. Subsequent to the above policy being enacted, the Arkansas legislature enacted SB 564 (Act 820) in 2019, creating a comprehensive licensure portability oppurtunity for educators who are active duty members, veterans or their spouses.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Veteran Hiring Protection

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ENACTED

04/04/2013

Protection for Private Sector veterans' Hiring Policies Final Legislation

Private sector employers attempting to offer hiring preferences to veterans may be risking claims of discrimination from applicants lacking military experience. HB 1575 (Act 598) establish policies protecting private sector employers from discrimination claims when offering hiring preference to veterans.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Purple Star Schools Program

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07/15/2019

Purple Star Schools Program Final Legislation

Recognizes military-friendly schools that show a major commitment to serving students and families connected to our nation's armed forces by fulfilling certain required activities plus one optional activity. These designated schools receive of a special Purple Star recognition to display in their building and recognition on the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education website.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Service Member Licensure and Credit

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02/23/2021

Licensure and Academic Credit for Separating Service Members Final Legislation

Arkansas SB 78, enacted in 2021 as Act 135, requires an Arkansas occupational licensing entity to accept relevant and applicable uniformed service education, training, or service-issued credential toward occupational licensure qualifications or requirements when considering an application for initial licensure of an individual who is a member of the armed forces or a veteran who makes an application within one year of leaving the service. Separately, the various Arkansas state college systems, by policy, individually provide academic credit for military education, training and experience as evaluated by American Council of Education (ACE) guidelines, based on submission of appropriate information to the registrar. Additional guidance can be provided by many institutions' veteran affairs offices.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Advance Enrollment

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04/08/2019SB 638

04/03/2019SB 638

04/17/2019

Advance Enrollment Final Legislation

Expands coverage of Interstate Children's Compact to reserve component members and permits inbound military children to pre-register.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

In-State Tuition Continuity

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11/01/2018

In-State Tuition Continuity Final Legislation

Per Arkansas Higher Education policy, in-state status is a business decision determined at the time of application and admission. It does not change in Arkansas even if a military parent relocates out of state and leaves the student behind to attend an Arkansas university/college.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Virtual School Enrollment

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ENACTED

04/26/2021SB 638

04/19/2021SB 638

04/30/2021

Virtual School Enrollment Final Legislation

This bill that creates the Arkansas Military Child School Transitions Act of 2021 includes a new provision in the Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 28, Subchapter 1, Section 6-28-109 on Virtual Course Enrollment -- At the request of a military family, a receiving district may enroll an inbound transitioning child of a military family in virtual distance-learning or digital coursework, if available, to facilitate a smooth transition between the student's previous coursework and the curriculum best suited to ensure educational success in his or her new school.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Pro Bono Representation

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04/02/2018

Pro Bono Legal Representation for Service Members and Families Final Legislation

The Center for Arkansas Legal Services (CALS) recruits attorneys, markets pro bono services and refers clients to volunteer attorneys. While they primarily serve low income Arkansans. they also work with the legal assistance office at Little Rock AFB and Camp Robinson to provide pro bono services to the military community. CALS provided a sample of pleadings from cases where their volunteer attorneys provided representation in court for active duty families. In Feb 2024, updated link to Stateside Legal.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence3/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

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Recognize MPOs

03/17/2017

Recognize MPOs Final Legislation

HB 1059 recognized military protective orders from other states or jurisdictions if the issuing court had jurisdiction, gave proper notice and opportunity to be heard against the person whom the order was issued. A "military protective order" is defined "an official command directed at a service member for the purpose of preventing violent and threatening acts against a person who: (A) Is the current or former spouse of the service member; (B) Is or was a child, step-child, parent, step-parent, sibling, guardian, or ward of the service member; (C) Is residing or cohabitating or in the past has resided or cohabitated with the service member; (D) Has or had a child in common with the service member; (E) Is or has been in a dating relationship with the service member as defined by § 9-15-103; (F) Has had an intimate sexual relationship with the service member; or (G) Has made allegations against the service member of violations of the punitive article of sexual misconduct as defined by § 12-26 64-845; and (2) "Service member" means a person serving in: (A) Any branch or reserve component of the United States Armed Forces; or (B) The National Guard of any state."

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Increase Peace Officer Responsibilities

03/17/2017

Increase Peace Officer Responsibilities Final Legislation

HB 1059 amended Arkansas Code § 5-53-134(c) to allow a law enforcement officer to arrest and take into custody a person who they believe has violated a military order of protection, provided it was issued by a commanding general, a military judge, or a special courts-martial convening authority, the service member received notice of the military order of protection and the service member knowingly violated the condition of the military protection order.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Allow Virtual Appearance or Provide Victim Travel Funds

11/13/2023

Allow Virtual Appearance or Provide Victim Travel Funds Final Legislation

Ark. R. Civ. P. 88 allows the court the discretion to conduct hearings or trials as "virtual" or "blended" proceedings as set forth in Rule 88. Virtual or “blended” court proceedings are permitted provided that certain procedures are in place which include those that protect the constitutional, statutory, and procedural rights of parties.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Ask the Question Campaign

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ENACTED

Remote Driver's License and Vehicle Registration Renewal1/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

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ENACTED

Driver's License

08/01/2023

Driver's License Final Legislation

Active Duty members of any branch of the Armed Forces and any Air or Army National Guard member on federal or state orders, as well as their military-connected dependents, can renew by mail.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Vehicle Registration

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

Emeritus Priorities

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

Emeritus Priorities

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