Bill > HB1766

This bill creates the Arkansas Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE) Act, which establishes comprehensive guidelines for supporting students with disabilities in higher education institutions. The legislation requires colleges and universities to adopt transparent policies for identifying and accommodating students with disabilities, using documentation such as individualized education programs, Section 504 plans, or military service-related disability records. Institutions must engage in an interactive process to document and establish reasonable accommodations, provide a clear list of available disability resources in plain language, and make this information accessible during the application process, orientation, in academic catalogs, and on their websites. The bill mandates that schools advise admitted students about accommodation request processes, avoid requiring reevaluation for permanent disabilities, and develop procedures for addressing potential conflicts between accommodations and course requirements. The act defines a student with a disability according to the Americans with Disabilities Act and related federal regulations, and it will become effective on January 1, 2026, aiming to improve support and accessibility for students with disabilities in Arkansas higher education institutions.

Education

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1766&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R