AR HB1591

School district superintendents may notify school resource officers assigned to a school campus when a teacher is suspended or when termination of a teacher is recommended.

Superintendents may not disclose additional details about a suspension or termination recommendation to a school resource officer unless they believe, in their discretion and based on relevant information, there are risks to campus security or student safety.

Additional details that are restricted from disclosure include the underlying reasons for the suspension or termination, the identity of other individuals involved (including teachers, students, administrators, and parents), and further disciplinary actions taken against the teacher.

If a superintendent determines that disclosure of additional details is necessary for campus security and student safety, they must limit the disclosure to the minimum amount of information needed.

The bill amends Arkansas Code § 6-17-1507(b) regarding termination recommendations and § 6-17-1508(b) regarding teacher suspensions, and was approved on April 27, 2021.