AR HB1861

Establishes the Advisory Council for the Education of Children with Disabilities as an advisory-only body with no administrative authority to advise the Commissioner of Education and Department of Education officials.

Requires council membership of 19 or more individuals, with a majority being parents of children with disabilities (birth to 26 years) or individuals with disabilities, subject to restrictions on school board membership and employment income thresholds.

Specifies minority council membership must include at least one representative each from teachers, higher education institutions, state/local education officials, program administrators, state agencies, private/charter schools, vocational/business organizations, juvenile/adult corrections, and child welfare agencies.

Establishes three-year appointment terms for council members with eligibility for reappointment to only one additional term, and declares positions vacant after three consecutive absences.

Requires the council to submit annual reports to the Department of Education on unmet educational needs for children with disabilities and to comment on proposed education regulations, evaluations, corrective action plans, and service coordination policies.