New Arkansas laws to know ahead of the first day of school
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Dozens of new laws are set to go into effect on Aug. 5, with some impacting the upcoming school year.
KNWA/FOX24 looked through the list of laws and found a few that take effect before the start of the 2025-26 school year.
Act 123
This law will provide a free breakfast for every public school child in Arkansas starting in the 2025-26 school year.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said when she signed Senate Bill 59 into law in February that the breakfast legislation would help learning while at the same time removing stress for parents “who would otherwise have a difficult time” providing for their children.
The program will be funded using money from the sales tax and special privilege tax on medical marijuana.
“That is big because students that are not on free/reduced, or they’re paying students, that sometimes would just come to school and just eat lunch, will now be able to eat as well. So we have every child being able to eat a meal free,” Amy Jefferson, Child Nutrition Director at Fayetteville Public Schools, told KNWA/FOX24 last month.
Siloam Springs School District's Joe McClung said it's important for parents to understand that while this law provides a daily free breakfast meal, it does not cover lunch, and to remind parents to apply for free/reduced meals as the school year gets near.
Act 122
This law will ban cell phones while classes are in session at public schools.
Students will be required to put their phones and all other electronic devices in an “isolated” location from the first period bell up until dismissal.
Gov. Sanders cites improvements in academic and mental health were a driving force behind the new law. As the new school year approaches, faculty and parents are both working to adjust to the new policies.
Rogers School District Superintendent Dr. Jeff Perry said in July that they were actively working with parents in the district to address any concerns surrounding the new act. Once the adjustment period is over, Perry said he believes real benefit could come from the policy.
"Social media puts a great deal of stress, pressure, and anxiety on the students," Perry said. "Parents are saying that they are appreciative of the state taking the initiative to eliminate this, because all that we're talking about is being in school for 6.5 hours a day."
Act 573
This law would have mandated the display of the Ten Commandments and “In God We Trust” in Arkansas classrooms and public buildings maintained or operated with taxpayer funds.
On Aug. 4, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Brooks issued a preliminary injunction against the law.
“Forty-five years ago, the Supreme Court struck down a Ten Commandments law nearly identical to the one the Arkansas General Assembly passed earlier this year,” Brooks said in the opinion. “That precedent remains binding on this Court and renders Arkansas Act 573 plainly unconstitutional.”
Here are some other laws set to take effect on Aug. 5:
- Act 909 — This will boost per-pupil funding by 5% to $8,162 for the 2025–2026 school year, including health insurance costs. For 2026–2027, the funding is set at $8,037, with insurance paid separately.
- Act 474 — This will place a temporary hold on school letter grade evaluations, allowing time to roll out the new accountability system with the LEARNS Act.
- Act 400 — This law creates the Religious Rights at Public Schools Act of 2025, providing clarity on the freedoms afforded to students and staff regarding religious expression.
- Act 878 — This law will increase the classroom supply tax deduction for teachers from $500 to $1,000.
- Act 195 — This law will triple the maximum literacy tutoring grant from $500 to $1,500, if funding allows.
- Act 229 — This law will require all public schools to provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction starting in the 2025–2026 school year.
- Act 565 — Also known as the Teacher and Student Protection Act, this law will introduce stronger protections against repeated violent or abusive behavior in schools.
- Act 915 — This law will require students in public schools to be shown an ultrasound video to serve as a basis for a discussion about human growth and development.
To get a full list of all the laws and regulations passed by the legislature this year, visit the Arkansas Legislature's website.
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