AR HB1766

Creates the Arkansas RISE Act requiring all public, tribal, and federally-funded private institutions of higher education to adopt policies for evaluating and accommodating students with disabilities, effective January 1, 2026

Requires institutions to accept existing disability documentation including IEPs, Section 504 plans, prior school accommodation records, and military service disability records when determining eligibility for accommodations

Mandates institutions engage in an interactive process with students to document accommodation needs and establish reasonable accommodations, with information disseminated in plain language during applications, orientation, in catalogs, and on websites

Prohibits requiring students with permanent disabilities to undergo reevaluation if they previously provided proof of permanent disability status to the institution

Requires institutions to establish processes for addressing situations where instructors or academic offices believe an accommodation would fundamentally alter course requirements or pose undue burden