AR SB65

Repeals the Arkansas Public School Choice Act of 1989 (§ 6-18-206) and establishes a new Public School Choice Act of 2013 (§ 6-18-1901 et seq.) to address federal court findings that certain provisions of the 1989 law were unconstitutional

Allows students to transfer to nonresident school districts subject to application deadlines (June 1 postmark), superintendent approval by August 1, and district capacity limitations, with priority given to applicants with siblings already enrolled in the nonresident district

Limits net transfers out of any district to 3% of the district's three-quarter average daily membership for the preceding school year, with students denied transfers given priority in subsequent years

Maintains desegregation compliance by requiring transfers to comply with enforceable court orders or court-approved desegregation plans, and allows districts under federal desegregation mandates to declare annual exemptions from school choice participation

Declares an emergency effective immediately due to uncertainty surrounding existing student transfers under the now-unconstitutional 1989 law and the need to preserve school choice before the 2013-2014 school year; new law expires July 1, 2015