AR SB2

Establishes the Emergency Pandemic Child and Family Protection Local Control and Choice in Education Act, allowing students to transfer from their assigned public school district during a pandemic emergency based on mask mandate policies.

Permits students to transfer to alternate public school districts, open-enrollment public charter schools, private schools, home schools, or virtual schools within Arkansas upon parental request if dissatisfied with quarantine or mask policies.

Allows transfers to be irrevocable elections for subsequent school years, taking effect immediately upon application notification, with limited exceptions for schools at maximum capacity, students with prior expulsion, or schools requiring additional building structures.

Directs funding to follow transferring students to their new schools; nonpublic schools may use funds only for tuition, fees, textbooks, tutoring, assessments, specialized services, and transportation (capped at 10% of annual funding).

Public schools receiving funding must use it for technology enhancements, building repairs, intervention resources, professional development, support centers, and supplies for economically disadvantaged students; transferred students become immediately eligible for extracurricular and interscholastic activities.