During the 2001 Legislative Session, the Arkansas State Legislature enacted the following laws that affect school districts in the State of Arkansas. School districts will need to review the Acts listed below and incorporate Act 447 of 2001 into the school discipline policy.
ACT 252 of 2001, repealed Arkansas Code 5-71-227 which makes it unlawful for a student to possess an electronic paging device, beeper, or similar communication device while on school property.
ACT 447 of 2001, amended Arkansas Code 6-18-502 (b) to allow students to possess electronic communication devices on a school campus after school hours for extracurricular activities. The district may exempt possession of such a device after normal school hours for extracurricular activities. The district will need to develop a policy so the students and parents will know what the district will allow concerning communication devices for the school year 2001-02.
ACT 624 of 2001, is an act to promote gun violence prevention week in elementary schools. The board of directors of every public school in the state may declare one (1) week in October of each academic year to be Gun Violence Prevention Week for grades kindergarten through six (K-6).
Any school in the state may develop and present an awareness program or participate in other activities for the purpose of diminishing gun violence.
If there are any questions on the above Acts, please contact Ray Lumpkin at 501-371-2696 at the Arkansas Department of Education.