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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.