Education Committee- House

Senate bill that dealt with them applied and workforce Fackler it agrees and so we ended up that bill did not pass in what we ended up doing was working together on a resolution that just essentially said. we that we higher ed and the colleges would like to work together to see if there is anything that we can do moving forward to make any changes in the state's a literally that's all the resolution is and I just want to thank everyone that worked on it specially Chuck Welch is here he's. Been a big help in drafting this resolution with the system so I appreciate that that's short and sweet. All right you heard the resolution. You need to questions on resolution seeing none what's wills Committee. Motion I don't think you might want to talk for against it so I have a motion to do pass any talk on the Scotian motions in none all in favor say aye opposed no resolution passed relating to your committee. Symptoms of not here President Penzo. Yep five minutes to read your bill. No pressure. Thank you Mr chairman do we have a member of your bill we do okay. You will explain your minute you can go ahead explain that what we're passes out okay can have Connor hits enjoyment stable you can thank you Sir pretty much of the amendment pretty much removes the existing language and I got I got some preferred language from the department of education which is the the first part of the second section which asks a. No school districts to have more than one honors program and then we added section be at the bottom that says If if they if they don't have a computer science honors graduate program that they will allow for people computer science classes to be substituted for a foreign language because what we don't want to do is have kids have to neglect taken that didn't want to graduate with honors to neglect taking computer science courses programming courses in order to fulfill the requirements so that's that's what the amendment does. All right. That's the amendment a list any questions on the amendment. Seeing none. I'm sure of it will speak for against the amendment so what's will Committee Amendment. All right we will we have a motion of to pass amendment all in favor say aye. He opposed no. All right you may present your bill as amended if you want to go ahead have caller through Recognizes self to be well it we were able to talk. So with the amendment and what we're presenting we're allowing kids caller you say your name and who you're both so I my names Conor and sin I am. He with their presented plans I'm a student at the University of Arkansas thank you you're recognized. So what we're achieving with the amendment in the original the combination of the two of them we're allowing kids. When they don't have a computer science honors program to graduate with we're allowing them to change that credit inside of the program so instead of taking a foreign language they can take use computer science class and they can still graduate from that program it's not satisfying the same credit like we had the issue with last week we presented the bill so we're kind of solving that problem but other than that it's pretty straightforward based off of what representative Penzo presented. President Penzo you everything that. I do not we will take questions if anybody has any all right any questions. Resist picks. Thank you Mr chair. Is this all left up to the schools to do this to me to decide on the programs and all of that it have you put it back into their. The first section like I said that I got from the department of education allows them to make the decisions on it just says that they shall have more than one program so that's and then it gives options on you know kind of what the program should look like and oxidase language I got from the department of education the report this section we added was just saying if the schools don't have honors programs that allow that are specifically computer science honors programs because that's what we're kind of trying to encourage that they will be able to take other honors programs and substitute to computer science classes for the foreign language of requirements of because some of these kids you know aren't are to you know they're gonna go into some engineering here you know some some stem you know program in college and getting more classes out of the way high school be it advantageous to amend their future careers. Thank you Mr chair the kids you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair so I apologize I slipped a little bit since the last one and I wanna make sure I understand this issue so is this pretty much an issue that's it Springdale or how how big of a problem is this is this state wide. You have an answer the. So with how rapid stem built stem. Classes are building inside of the state in stem jobs are building inside of the state it's almost affecting everybody because I mean we need those jobs to be filled and getting kids higher education inside of stem incentivizing that education is only gonna push them into those classes and help them get the necessary education they need for. Filling in those jobs so kind of the priority of the bill is to push more kids into stem classes get them educated in stem and help them graduate with the same standard of education that they would outside of the stem classes. Follows. Okay in for presented Penzo if you could just I just wanna make sure I understand French it's for my constituents and even what we're doing here because I'm trying to absorb them in here quickly. The problem that we have here it didn't sound like what we originally trying to address was a problem with a lot of our districts is that correct well yeah because it it changed it actually defined you know. Computer science or programming actually as a foreign language and and they had some good you know feedback on why that was a bad idea because it it it kinda cascaded and other areas so. The way this was this is done if if us you know if a student if the school wants to set up a computer science like honors graduate program they can the bill doesn't make him have to but if a student wants to graduate with honors they can still pursue all the foreign are I'm sorry the computer science courses they want to and and substitute those for the foreign language and in that by no means and my under minding do the importance of learning a foreign language but I think most people in this room realize it we do it kind of backwards in Arkansas you know the sweet spot for a child to learn a foreign language is is kind of from that you know five six to the eleven twelve age and you know represent Godfrey probably agree with me on that one but that's that's the sweet spot and we wait to the sweet spot closes before we start having kids learn Spanish or French or Italian or whatever the foreign language that used to teach in school so I mean we really need to overhaul the system I mean there's probably several of us in here they're taking a foreign language in school and and we probably couldn't speak a lick of it because we teach kids at the wrong time and if kids are going into programming and they have a desire to look to learn get into a stem profession I mean that's you know. The all the years I've been down here the focus is been to encourage children to get into you know the these these you know programming service robotics all these things that the future is you know we need to get these kids prepared and to make them take a foreign language class in order to graduate with honors I mean it did make a lot of sense doesn't make a lot of sense because you know these kids probably won't ever be absorbing of Spanish or French or Italian or whatever the course is to to be proficient with it in life so and if their focus is in a certain direction I mean at that point life they need to be different differentiating into a career path. Thank you a hot back in. All right. Your question represent got for. Thank you Mr chair apologize for my voice I have a little bit of their ties this morning representative Penzo thank you for for your comments and and for your work on this but I do think it's a creative way to kind of get out what you're trying to accomplish I'd absolutely as you mentioned agree with the importance of a foreign language but I think the reason that the honors as the nation's because colleges and universities due to a lot of colleges have the foreign language requirements of the match up between a and honors certification or whatever upon graduation is to help students be prepared to go into college because many colleges have that requirement have you heard of any concern from higher at or from institutions of higher and who you know may not consider computer science as a foreign language for students who are wanting to go on to college ready to university programs and when there be a mismatch either with the transcripts or with it just counting in the universities thanks thank you. The but this is a good answer for that there's probably a better question for. You know education department I mean it we're not we're not defining computer science as a foreign language as the previous bill kind of. Did so what we're doing is just allowing the substitution for you know so I guess I guess that would be you know I think you made some the students that want to go in that direction and I think I think they're pretty forward thinking if it's going to mess up their opportunity to go to college I think they would probably be able to make that decision and I would also like to point out that not all these kids are going to go to college so I mean we're we're under the assumption here that L. that has to be college and and a lot of these I mean one of the girls that was here I think she was nineteen years old rate no she's eighteen she's got her own business now teaching children how to you know well I say children younger younger students help to of build robots programmed robots she she trains the the the kids how to go to these competitions so I mean she's actually you know straight out of high school entrepreneur as roaming you know business doing this so you know the this section that every child's going to college you know it's probably you know more people are going into wielding diesel mechanics jobs that pay eighty five thousand dollars a year higher than a lot of degree programs will will will you know get a student so I mean I think I think we need to kind of change change gears on what the outlet is for kids but if the kid if the kids want to go to college I think I think if there's a. If there's if there if they're thinking about this this much to you know plan for their future there they know what the requirements of the college or their want to go to I think. Representative Brett. Thank you Mr chair and to sort of bring this together I believe and I could be wrong but I think that the foreign language requirement is really a major aspect of pursuing a liberal arts degree. I could be wrong but my question is that. I just want to confirm this is simply UP allowing not requiring that a school could have either a different honors program for they could allow computer science in place of foreign language in their existing. Honors program is that correct that is correct. Thank you yeah and and I'm trying to think we're nine months the first degree I got that I received in school was an associates of applied science and physical therapy is a two year program at the community college and I and I don't I don't believe Spanish was a requirement for that I mean like you said they're certain agree programs of all required I don't know if all four year degrees do I know I took it just because I was trying to learn Spanish but my Spanish is pretty weak even after college. All right of representative of you will question yes thank you Mr chair and I know after committee last time we had talked about and this is what kind of originated in Springdale and to see if you talk to the superintendent or the school board about making the change at the local level have you had any progress in those conversations. we we haven't had any progress at this time thank you. President of all thank you Mr chair and as I read this I mean it does say that they shall provide so they are going to have to come up with the different would which section you in I'm on your Amendment Page one member now it's on this amendment right here at present Penzo. And I mean it gives humanities English language arts social studies fine arts and world language science technology engineering and math which include computer science and computer science. So I don't know why I mean it does seem like we're having to create two different pathways. Regardless because it does say shall. It it's saying that if the public school district that does adopt a policy for all undergraduates which that a separate state I mean every school every school has honors program is what you're saying I would think more than likely with they do it's stating that they shall have an additional one because it says it more than one option so if they already have multiple options they do not have to create one if they if they do have only one they would have to create a second program and I will point out that the the the language on page one was from the department of education Page two it works out this way was printed out is is language that we added so the language that we added to it. just states that you know if if they don't have a specific computer science graduate honors program that they have to allow the substitution to take place. May I please have a follow up I know we're not doing the will speak you you might so can I ask you a question sorry did you take this to your local school board. I have not and is there a reason that we didn't take that path other than trying to putting code to. I'm sorry I'm so sorry. I'm losing my mind would you like me to get out of here and come back. Two thousand and you have a. She thank you. Okay so you're good with that question so going sorry I forgot the new rule it is a rule today okay is there a reason that we did not go to the Super X. so my husband said I'm school board and there is a chain of command lack. What steps you would take is a reason that we didn't take those steps before we tried to write in to lead into a new law about computer science so our thought process for it was you know it's kind of. I don't wanna say pointless but it almost seems more effective if we went to it at the state level because then the department of education and the legislative body can set us set of rules and standards for it they make you more universal and make it easier to adopt across the state versus Justin Springdale and then trying to move from Springdale Rogers to Bentonville Fayetteville to Farmington. And so on and so forth and and I'd like to add that you know the the initial approach to Assistant associate superintendent conversations I had was with the initial bill they were adamantly opposed and I I get that now lot of times when we address these bills we we get are handed slap Hey you're going the wrong direction try to accomplish it do this now I have had conversations unofficially you know not at a board meeting but with individuals that are on the school board and they like the idea but like I said that to you know without actually you know we have a ninety day window roughly every two years to pass legislation and if you know the school board you know it's like you know this this idea gets brought to me and I've got the opportunity during our legislative session to do it or wait two years you'll know how this works so I could've waited for a school board meeting presented the school board meeting and then if it doesn't work out then I'm waiting two years before we have the opportunity to come back and address it again so I mean I think that probably illustrates better you know there there have been conversations I didn't get this new language and till right when I walked in I sent sent over with the department of education had and that's another thing you get to the end of session here we've got two weeks if we're looking to try to get finished up so I will let you know that the department is okay with this they they will cause speak on if they need to but they said that there this there okay. With the news with the new language so if you want to come to the table if you have any questions for the department they will come to table but if you want to discontinue all of course we all want to. I would like to I would like to ask questions of on that to the department yes okay would someone to work on the table. I don't know if that was shortened up some of the questions Joe ever not selfie. I have a fat for department of education Rosenwald's recognized thank you Mr chair for your leniency so would this not be better handled at a local. At the actual school versus putting it in statute for everyone to follow I mean I'm I'm having a hard time with the we're passing local control here we didn't what I always considered to be the steps of the hierarchy per se. So representative that is a question and and it's something that and representative Penzo and I have talked about and this is something that could be done at the local level and providing the options for students within their honors courses so that students could have multiple options and you know I think probably would all agree when things can and will be done at the local level and that would be preferable and we will be and working with the state board of education to and at St diploma pathways and here before too long and that is diploma pathways will be similar to what you see here I think we have an opportunity to really help districts rethink and redefine what their honors options are for students every district can have different criterion policies around how they approach in honor diploma so sometimes that does make it more difficult to win when district does something and one doesn't therefore I do understand why the concern is there and probably the desire for there to be a more standardized approach but you know to answer your question it is definitely something that that could be done at a local level. I have a court okay bart if you have a question for the department may get recognized for thank you Mr chair skews me Dr pepper you talked about this a little bit but I I just wanted to kind of drill down on how districts are determining their owners criteria that that the a completely locally driven decision or is there and desi guidance for the types of things that could be designated as as an honors graduate it is that Senate worker or district just coming up with that anything there needs anything that is I'm sorry I don't mean to cut you have anything that is above the state required graduation credits is is completely a local decision. Representative that. Thank you Mr I guess. My question then is was kind of related to your question so we seem to have like this group that that. That the districts are following for their. Honors programs and they seem to be very similar but you're saying that those are individual choices by the district's it so my question would be is is how did they come up yeah you can like if it's individual choices have their by end up at the same place. One thing that might be and that miss Smith and I were just talking about this several years ago there were and it smart core requirements and foreign language was a requirement for students to have an a smart core and diplomat and I do believe and and this even goes back I'm thinking you know when I graduated high school went to college and that was just a few years ago that the long enough ago and that there were some colleges that did require foreign language for in and conditional admission I think all of that has changed now a lot of that change when the smart core requirements changed. And foreign language is no longer a required and at the state required graduation credit and and I checked with Dr Martin a little bit ago and and requirements for colleges have also changed in terms of it being a requirement you know at all universities there probably and colleges that do require foreign language whether it's for certain And degree pathways you know in talking about foreign language and I say they in Sanyo set one up office or today a spaniel it's more important that but that is also an individual choice and I was a Spanish teacher so like representative Penzo and I would love for students to learn and as second or third language very early on but again in terms of I think probably why it is an honors and part of an honors pathway now probably goes back to things that were in place twenty thirty years ago and maybe have carried over as far as additional requirements but our curriculum and options and course options really have expanded and this is made me look at the world language and standards that we have in place now and I and I am very impressed with the work that has been done there you see all of the options with computer science now and how expensive that computing initiative is so Our students have all kinds of great opportunities in schools and what and I want to encourage our schools to expand those options for students who want to go about what's and and minimally required this quick follow up so it it is so your opinion say it's you get this one right no matter what so in your opinion the things that have aligned with the current honors programs are coming melting away a little bit are you know it's colleges you mention colleges or or not so if we do nothing here would it be likely that the computer science would kind of move into this category to thank in your opinion. And an opinion question is probably a dangerous one and for me and I would say that and we're on a pathway to have conversations with districts to and and and we already have and expended a lot of options for students even with their required graduation credits so and students students do and should continue to have more options thank you. Brown did you have a question. Okay. one more we're gonna we're gonna do one more and we'll moved to I got somebody else offering up. Okay me. Thank you Mr Dr pepper just you you touched on a kind of the what's spelled out in this foreign language standards and the mismatch between computer science and foreign language can you speak a little bit more about that because we still do have this provision to substitute foreign language for computers as for foreign language that you mentioned that there is a mismatch in the types of language learning that happens in in the computer science class versus a foreign language class would you speak to that I'm familiar with that as a language learner myself but if you'd I'm sure there's the committee that be helpful. So at at I don't know if how in depth I could really go with that that in terms that and foreign language and standards and you're you're focusing on that speak a reading riding the listening and the cultures and and comparisons connections seven and eight in the in the study of a foreign language you're getting into and that he and the syntax and morphology and and and and this is the spoken and written and and language aspects I do I do appreciate that that a and made the revision so that that the bill is not making those interchangeable and that it would be a substitution rather than making them interchangeable so that is an important distinction from what the earlier version was. All right the other questions for. Thank you covering real schools of. Bill could you come to the table. Thank represent Vaught prop I want to know a little bit more about how this affects real schools. Section IV with police they query Director Arkansas rural education sociais Asian reps of all would you ask the question if. Yes so how does this like if if my rules schools. Have an honor graduate program and I now they've got to come up with the second pathway how does that affect my rules schools. The training for staff to be able to teach this is obviously an issue for schools having somebody to assign to another learn another pathway to institute another pathway adding I will obviously we are not opposed to stem education and that's the future for many many of our students and stem education is incorporated in in virtually every school at at every level so there's no opposition there but when you ask questions about staffing there there is going to be an issue with some of the smaller schools providing that yes ma'am. Thank you Mr. That is Mr channel on the C. body else have a question for rule schools. All right I think. You can you ask for more so when you read this you do read it that are rolled schools will have to come up with the a second pathway the word share shall thank you Mr yes all right thank you. All right at. Any other questions for the sponsor before we move on. C. so we will move to the audience and we have no one signed up Connor was the only one he's already spoke of for or against anybody against it in the audience anybody for in the audience. Like close free bill please You know the the German representing rule schools mentioned that they would have to create an additional pathway and there were a blue mentions us staffing It. I would see this is these classes should already be taught and if they're not being taught I don't see how we're not teaching computer science classes in rules schools right now for not that's the big problem. So I really don't understand the staffing concern I mean I understand there's some some putting together you know programs which it would be administrative work but I don't I don't really see the connection between how allowing a substitution from a Spanish class to a computer science class I don't really see there being a huge surge of students that are going to pursue this so I really don't think it's going to offset the class loads in any degree but anyway I would just ask you know we're the committee to consider you know the direction that that we need students to be going into stem programs just remind you that the language on page one was actually given to me from the department of education the substitution language was what we presented and if Qatar has any closing statements I just would as committee for good vote what's will of committee. Mr back. motion do pass as amended discussion on the motion. You're recognized. So and I think our rural schools are probably teaching this but I don't know that they're teaching it to a high enough level for it to actually replace a foreign language that's my that is my concern is are we teaching is all of our rural schools have I. What you would consider an AP top course to take place maybe for their honor grads that is my biggest concern just just of that out there. Russian Murdock. Thank you chair representatives of this the the only concern I have is that is that it takes away local control really that's wishes start because of the diversity and differences and I mean it districts some might very well wasn't as representative Vaught mentions and I just think that has to be taken into consideration us with the local school boards superintendents there they should do that and then implement estate can't in as if it's their districts I just think this goes too far it's a great idea but I think it fits where it fits and they should apply it would applies but I don't think it should be made mandatory to everybody at the same level but it's a great idea. Thank you Mr I'm a vote for this bill and I'm doing that because if you consider all the legislation that we passed here we've we've really pushed to stem initiative we push we push we push now some of these classes the governor himself started the computer science thing and he says okay let's get these kids And we've seen the benefits of that the state has already seen the benefits that that's the right path to go. And I think that sometime of that education needs to be not just in this is a nudge on education okay look at the computer sciences this is what we want to you know make this available these kids you know that there's a lot of kids and. Quite honestly the fine arts degrees not in their future but that computer science degree might be and I think we should encourage. Our students and our school to to provide the education for these the students. At the same time. You know it's. Bills it's it's a round hole square peg thing right not everybody fits in the round hole you know these you have not sent the computer science described but the point is we should we should be able to offer both of these points and and and if we can't I mean. We should fund it if if if it takes more funding to put a teacher there think about that if it takes more funding to put a teacher in a school to teach computer science to a child that could it could be really first in that and that's what we need to do and not sit here and say no we can't we can't do that because it's going to cost another teacher to teach computer science I'll be voting for this bill thank. Missio is more the Scotia Reserve Godfrey thank you Mr chair colleagues I'll just say you know I I really think the proposed solution is a good idea having multiple pathways is is not a bad idea and I don't know that Springdale would even necessarily be opposed by think that's the problem is that we haven't yet had that conversation at the local level I think our school board is acceptable I think or superintendent is accessible and values very much to education values very much computer science and I think you know your six Athens middle school shows evidence of that I do think that this is a conversation that can happen at that district level and I think you know obviously if the the district I represent but also those of us in this room what those conversations to happen with those school boards in a pre you know many times I agree with representative back to school schools do sometimes need to be not just if we see that that **** with the there's pushback per change but we don't know that there's push back or change in this particular instance because we haven't had those conversations at the local level assignment on this one thank you. Rison McKenzie. Thank you Mr chair and same thing as far as I hate that this that this previous school board didn't get an opportunity here they're presentation because it was awesome and I think they would have appreciated I think it would've been compelling and persuasive so that's my biggest regret is that they didn't get that opportunity and I think it would be good for them as well to experience on the local level the changes can be may first on the local level before jumping to the state level but I I I'm really impressed with this group because it did a great job I think the school board would appreciate hearing from they should be proud. Reserve all. So I can Kerr with what represents McKenzie said I I carried the computer science legislation for the governor actually and I believe in computer science and I think it is the way of the future and I think it's very important for us to offer more and more of it in our schools okay and and you did an amazing presentation but I do agree with her I wish you would have taken it at least taken the steps before you got to here to change it by law and and to representive backs point. I do I think we do have computer science and all of our schools but do we have an AP classes above and beyond. So it's like we're taking of course that may not be above and beyond in every school in Arkansas and making us come up with the program that is above and beyond and that's my only concern recess breaks. Thank you Mr chair. I appreciate you coming and wished that things. My vote could be different but we have so many. Rules schools up in my area and this is going to be a very hard thing for them I do believe you know if it was based over a long period of time that we could put some teachers and there to help them I can understand but prestigious mandate this I just have a real problem with it and but I do wish you the very best thank you thank you Mr chair. Seeing no others represent back you go short rebuttal. Just a short thank. As I remember as I remember it I believe that the governors there was a mandate he didn't give local control so here we are saying it's okay to mandate that. Well it's okay to mandate computer science but it's not okay we'll Bills people down that road to allow them to get an honors because I can't do that because I got take a foreign language I think it's a little bit of a double standard I understand I respect your. Any other discussion. Seeing none. Let's have a motion of do pass. All in favor say aye. Opposed no no no no seven. Thank you committee I appreciate your loans up to ten let the kids come down and present thank you thank you represent Penzo. President Pilkington. You see our days going today. If the bill is here to present HB eighteen thirty seven do you have anybody you need pull up we are and I know I don't I do however minister checked yes have an amendment okay you wanna go ahead explain your men with their passing that out it looks like it's not a lot of change no it's not So what we're doing is we added some language kind of a explaining certain aspects of what sexual grooming was after talking to several stakeholders they thought and and the AT they thought is better just to take that out just to leave it's a really this when this after adopt the amendment the bill will only add sexually grooming a child as prohibited so you see the very simple and it gets put any questions bill amendment. I have a motion on the amendment by representative of all. All favor say aye. To be opposed no. Resolution you may present H. B. eighteen thirty seven as amended thank you thank you committee Whatever sent to you today is a bill to prohibit sexually grooming a child And so let me read the exact title that's really the issuance of a renewal of a teaching license or person is pled guilty to or has been found guilty of sexually grooming a child and so you may ask what is grooming agreement is when someone builds a relationship trust emotional connection with the child or young person to the Committee late explorer abuse them children and young people who are green can be sexually abused exploited or trafficked anyone can be grown in a matter their age gender race for me to take place over a short or long period of time from weeks to years and so really what this is I think we've become more more aware of predators to essentially use their positions of trusses as teachers to groom children and then after they're no longer in the schools that's when they pounds and so what we're trying to do is for people who engage in that type of behavior that that's prohibited if they're found guilty of of grooming by court they're not able to get their their license renewed and that's it but that's all it is reasonable bill questions. Pretty simple. The questions they want to be honest like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Flippo three bill I'm closer I bill. We have somebody get through. would you like to speak on the bill I'm sorry I actually. What will come back in and close yes that's right yeah I'm I miss one. We have so we have some flowers and I made after Carol just ask if you're for collection and would have you guessed it would. Women against. Regulator thank you announcer your Carol Fleming president of the Arkansas education association and I am just here to show support for the change with the amendment and that we do support this bill and thank representative Pilkington for bringing it forward. I have a wrong. Ryan Ryan foster you in the room. You civil background I want to give a chance to look signed a couple bills. Ryan foster are you in the waiting area. I hope I'm saying the name right. I'm reading without my glasses they're of legal for the ride have a seat at the table and state who you are who you with and you have a. To speak for this bill. Hello good morning everybody my name is Ryan when foster with the Ozarks coalition we track extremes the state of Arkansas we are here in support of this bill we could not believe this was not already low just simple facts that's all all right thank you Sir. Like close the bill I'll close my bill right your clothes that will committee as a do pass from the represent of all as amended the discussion on the bill seeing none all in favor say aye. He opposed the resolution you passed your bill thank you thank you Committee I have a quick announcmenet will move on to represent Bentley. Monday afternoon we will meet jointly with the Senate. To take up lottery bills to fit them into the new lottery bill that we ran last week across the floor on the from the Senate and house there's two bills as I understand there there's three but I don't think one of will fit in that I think that's not billable scholarships so we have to do that before session ends and so Monday afternoon after Senate is adjourns I can't give you a time. Is it could be late. And the here's the process we will do we will hear to lottery bills there are Senate bills the Senate will will hear of the Senate will vote on and then we will immediately vote on and after that if they both pass the Senate if they want does not passed and we'll hear one of the new one passed and we don't. So but. I'm sorry. Monday afternoon and I'm going to guess four o'clock that's probably a good guess but it may be later so just hang tight around if you can Machel considered out of the email blast I guess this is the Senate look like it's going to populous can you do that she. All we can do a group tax whatever we need to do to get that out of. Far as I know Brian will be here later that day he's going to be your chair I have a previous engagement that the this call in the away I don't know why but it is. So I won't be here that day so anyway I think it'll be a pretty simple day will take long but it's just it's just a process we have to go through so that is the process for that okay and other process. If you don't have a house bill of this committee today you're gonna have a hard time getting it out next week and I know we have two more they're sitting on our referred calendar that are going to have to be heard on Tuesday a law we do have quite a few Senate bills that are coming out next week so next week will be pretty well Senate bills just let you know we're trying to push this counted out today as much as possible if we miss anything to be a Senate bill and so we just let you know we're trying to get all House bills on this committee today out so any questions from committee. Thank you for your indulgence on that And thank you for hopefully you can make the meeting on Monday. L. at this time we have represent Bentley to present HB eighteen forty eight is that correct eighteen forty eight. Chambers okay let's bring doctor Thompson appeared to present with me beginning this he's got a. In front of sentiment Law. Thank you would recognize yourself you'll be recognized speak with your doctor Jett Johnson CEO of the Arkansas center for health improvement. Reserved bill you're recognized thank you chairman thank you colleagues for hearing this bill this morning I'm I'm I really excited about this bill some that I'm really passionate about I know that some of you were not here when the governor bought for the healthy active Arkansas program but I have been adamantly support of of the governor's intentions on that and so I really think it's important that we put these nine plan to the governor hasn't healthy active Arkansas into our schools because we can see in our schools a state increase of obesity in an illness in our schools and I think we all saw Janice reason pandemic that the Arkansas situations that were struggling with hypertension diabetes cardiovascular risk disease and obesity really had a worse outcome with COVID so I think the more that we can do to get our students healthier the the longer lives to live the more productive lives I have a happier life they'll have and so I'm gonna let doctor Thompson talk from and then we'll go into the details of the bill thank you. Thank you represented only and members of the committee I mentioned that head of the Arkansas center for health improvement last Thursday Troy wills transferred leadership responsibility to me for healthy active Arkansas healthy active Arkansas with the governor's initiative has formed with the sixteen institutions public and private who've come together over the last five six years to advance health promotion efforts represented Bentley in this bill has captured many of those efforts as an opportunity to have the legislature engage with healthy active Arkansas and support she mention the impact of obesity physical activity comorbidities folks that had diabetes who had heart disease who had other issues that came down with COVID and were hospitalized were twice as likely to die is those that did not that's for the adults we are continuing to see adult onset of hypertension diabetes and other things that are school aged kids this is a welcome engagement from the legislature by are healthy active Arkansas voluntary board and we would look forward to working with you these are all things in there are some new things in here that represent Bentley is incorporated that we're excited about and we would ask for your support of this to help make our state be the healthiest most productive for the future thank you. Thank you Dr Thompson I appreciate you being here today so college we're gonna go through this bill because I think it's important for us to go through trying to be too long in respect of my other colleagues following after me but as we can see the beginning of the bill the main focus of the Division of elementary education work together with the Department of help to for guidance for the public schools on these initiatives that we're gonna bring forward so things that we're going to talk about most there are we know two very important things that we can get people active and eating healthier we're gonna prevent a lot of things so that those are the two main focuses of this bill some of the things that are bringing their how we're going to do that so we're going courage schools to look at ways that maybe they can schedule their classes with us a little bit of walking with older students so that's we're looking at they're going from class to class can we schedule the classes a little bit further parts of that could have a little more time to walk in between if that's not possible can look at ways during the class with and get a little bit of physical activity get up and move around a little bit I don't maybe all of you were stuck inside during the week of snow about myself log on to Google and find something to do some activities to get moved around circuit still keep working keep myself active it's very important that our students will do better in school we can make that happen esos moved down further on that I know that if anybody knows me I'm I'm passion about farm to school and have worked to get us a new director with their lan and she's doing a great job but is a visit with my local schools and the schools that we're trying to initiate farm to school it is time consuming for initiation directors to do that it does cost a bit more money to buy local foods or want to initiate a program through the department of ag is a mixture federal funding that comes in there to reimburse those schools that take the extra effort and the time to buy locally so will help our farmers to get some more a business come in to help us kids eat healthier school and when you eat locally and we all know it tastes a lot better service in a way to engage those attrition directors and reward them for doing so because the test does take extra time and also I'm at my local schools those schools that took the time and initiative to get a school garden going they could have the funds to USDA and blue blue when you offer some other grants for them to starts. Cool chord but the next year they didn't have the funding to buy some more plants to put in there so we can develop a grant program to the Department back for the schools we have to apply for funding each year is that the need for continued funding to help that to go so I think it's great for students I've been with kindergarten students at love their school garden get out there and engage I think it's a great a great programs we want to promote that so as a way for them to get extra funding to make that happen and some other things that we looked at was a marketing so we have AT T. and we saw them engage one word during the with the kitchen this pandemic and they're stuck at home so some educational things they can do with cooking fun things I'm I like even what are a the Arkansas heart hospital does he with their patients they taken to their garden to grow things there they teach them how to cook so there's some things we can do to get people engaged to make it interesting for them I think all the way around is a good way just encourage servings encouraging we're providing things for school for them to have access to them to have resources there to make it will make it easier for them to implement if that makes sense I'm talking fast I'm trying to get make use of your time as much as we can so that's the next thing on there if anyone has questions will will take the at the end so we went over that. To do sorry. I think that covers there and so I know that the next thing and I want total of is I'm really passionate about us encouraging breast feeding I know its you think Mary Bentley one will be twenty courage breast feeding schools but is really important breast we haven't re some statistics for you that we heard in a public health committee from UAMS impositions of them why breast feeding is so important we all know that Arkansas has one the highest rates of infant and maternal mortality we also know that we're forty eighth in the nation health so these are things that we can prove we can get people breast feeding and that just doesn't just improve their infant health and improves our health throughout their life and that's why everyone encourages Arkansas faces incredible health disparities and help the women infants women of color a particular effect in Arkansas has among the highest infant mortality rates in the nation especially among black infants universal support breast feeding in the first months of a child's life could improve mother and infant health and decrease infant mortality the first year of life in the rates of early death and morbidity and women. Breastfeeding for two months reduces risk of life reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome by twenty percent if they can breast feed for six months that reduces the risk of sids by fifty percent breast feeding infants have lower rates of hospitalization for asthma respiratory gastric intestinal illness less of a prescription medications for your emergency in sick doctor visits which translates into fewer missed days of school and work for parents pregnancy cause a drastic change in women's metabolic function as a body provides excess nutrition says such as sugars and fats to development growing in fit this creates a metabolically six state unfortunately these alterations in her metabolic state do not immediately reverse falling birth and requires breast feeding for several months to reverses metabolic alterations women who do not breast feed after pregnancy have a much higher rate of stroke heart attack coronary artery disease diabetes metabolic dysfunction breast feeding for prolonged periods ideally more than thirteen months over a lifetime decreases risk of stroke by as much as thirty five percent for black women there's even more pronounced reducing the risk of stroke by fifty six percent other interventions such as exercise diet change in hypertension treatment have a much small impact on stroke risks women who breastfeed for prolonged periods of time also have lower rates of menopausal breast cancer ovarian cancer and uterine cancer and I took the time to read that because I think it's very important for us to understand health benefit so what can we do to improve the culture Arkansas I know the healthy active Arkansas has does done so much for the breast feeding the impact there is one of the planks on this really important so we've done a breast feeding awareness state may make sure that we can breast feed at work in those kind of things but I want to try something new and what's going to improve the culture breast feeding can we work with you a message develop some videos that are very age appropriate for children to show maybe at a kid nursing on his mother different things to show this is what happens of breast feeding what is important and what I want to do that. Because we have men in the class of the colleagues of coke works of members to be more sympathetic to let my coworker go pump for fifteen minutes so they can breast feed maybe there be a spouse me more courage into the wife to breast because it's gonna take everybody working together so for age appropriate videos just wanna courage a cultural breast feeding also encourage teachers at our school to make sure they have a safe place to proceed so all this is permissive all this encouraging office giving thanks for schools to make it more accessible than to implement healthy active Arkansas planks at school I've talked fast I want to get through everything I had in there so we can answer any questions colleagues might have on the bill with that we'll take questions I have a little different things and I thought it but the. All right a reserve got the go ahead. Thank you Mr chairman president Bentley like I said yesterday it's nice to agree on an education bill today I think this is a great I do appreciate that it's permits that because I know schools do have a lot going on but I like your approach that it's guidance and permissive and also incentives with kind of winning awards or recognition for some of these practices I I certainly appreciate that the breast feeding focus as somebody who pumped in a library supply closet as well as earning if you could tell me more about your vision for space and support for and your nursing parents and schools that's great I wish that I think that may we commit legislation you and I next session because I think it's important that we have places that are safe about them is not to say a private place for women to pump so I think we can look at those things that make encourage businesses to do that as well I think we could if we see it show what is important and we encourage and give everybody sees how important is that will increase the culture for breast feeding and then they'll actually naturally happen. Is what my I will envision when people say it's important then that much more willing to make the extra effort and really would take that much effort to make that happen thank you for your call represent if I could just add quickly what we've experienced in working with schools and other institutions is a desire to do it but without development of any model or any you know guidelines of how to do it most effectively most safely at the local level with modifications so this would give us the opportunity to develop different pathways to put these different things in that have your support and also a more formal development not necessarily you know criteria standards anything like that I do want to commend Mary Bentley representative Lee the the elementary school education for nursing is not something we have on our radar anywhere in yet probably every child across Arkansas has watch the calf milk or cat milk or a dog nurse at some point in time it's just a real opportunity to educate okay what's going on here so that then it does make it be a more receptive the opportunity we have tripled the number of birthing hospitals that are baby friendly that means every mother is encouraged to start breast feeding at the time of birth and before birth and we continue to try to accelerate that but again this is this is a cultural change to have a saw recognized what robs us of our health and how we can take steps and educate our kids to have a different outcome into many of us have today. Representative of all. Russian. Thank you Mr chair at some of this part of Florida had been. Do you alluded to early about walking and so are we talking about are you are we thinking about any kind of physical education is that part of this programmers my mission and now this is truly trying to make As to think outside the box and how we can increase physical activity all throughout the day because we know the students will be able to study better they get a little bit more physical activity we do we know what recess time for elementary students but we don't for high school students and for those you know those great so just a way to encourage without making in extra teaching time between courage the more physical activity during school okay thanks. So I'm just going to be the devil's advocate appear. If you give kids five minutes more between classes. You know what I think they're gonna do. The stand in the corner look at their phone for five minutes. This doesn't require anything is permissible just thinking of maybe for your is conspicuous controlling for nothing yeah and and I would expect nothing less from you chairman. The bill fails. I would you know I think outside the box maybe schedule class a little further part where they have to walk a little further not that they can still make it to the class and that money will have to you know run down the highway to make class and then they get more activity so thank you for your question which is you're. Thank you Mr chair I did want to check into use as a couple times that it was didn't require anything but it does this does say that the department of education will with consolidation alteration with the consultation with one health centers that are will require that the following priorities be included in the public schools health and wellness priority so this bill is not completely permissive I understand correctly for instance a school can't to say pass we know what we're doing we we've already got something to play here or is it or is there going to be something coming down from the state that will save this is what we want you to address this to these to entities the department of health and Department of it are already working together on a lot a lot a lot of these are ready and so is encouraged him to get more things. I would say more options for school to use and like Dr Thompson said a more model for them to have maybe some things they can do to encourage healthy active things in their schools as really for them to develop a model for the schools to use if they choose to we're going to encourage I mean I know it takes that's what we did with the incentives for farm to school and rewards for those the and implement these process these practices that were encouraging. And I would just add I think this is guidance to the schools the the schools already have requirements for a wellness plan in there school planning so this is actually a push to get them to focus on issues that we think we have the most impact on on the schools the children's of outcomes that's not a requirement or a new addition. Okay one more represent Gavriel civilian body else had one before we go there and we'll finish up with our seniors to. Thank you Mr chair just a circle back to the the reward or that award I guess for and implement these practices maybe I missed the details of that in the bill that is not a you know a nomination process you nominate your own school is there some kind of application of people and you're going out to schools and looking and seeing what folks are doing what what's your vision for how a school would win one of these. Okay I have Stacy Smith my from the Department she's would work with me on this bill I'm helping makes amendments to it so we'll let her come check and represented in the internet I can give a real example over the last five years our center has use the blue and you fitness challenge to actually have a tiered school by size participation award for participating a Blue new fitness challenge and so we've we've turned the competitive competitiveness of our schools into a employee wellness initiatives for many of those that want to participate. Good morning Stacey Smith part of education and so the Department actually has been talking for quite awhile about ways to incentivize schools for awards everything from their offerings and courses to health to computer science and what that could look like in schools electing to choose to to participate in some of those award thanks so we have been working on something like that and I think this fits right in along with that. Any questions if I could just say one more thing real quickly some of my colleagues may remember that when I first started healthy active Arkansas it'll competition between the house and the Senate and the governor staff and I can tell you that it got me walking everyday because I did not want the Senate to be this that day so I think so little competition goes a long way to motivate of leverage to get what you really Richard was a champion thank you representable all right seeing no other questions will go to the audience and we have a base signed up on that bill we have no one signed up that bill anyone the owners like to speak against the bill for the bill. We like close for your bill I am close I really appreciate your time today motion from represent speaks what is. I will do pass motion. All righty discussion on the motion. Revson McKenzie. Thank you Mr chair and this isn't something I have a great deal of passion about I understand that we need we do encourage all these things and use a lot of create creative ideas I do again I envision myself going back and reading to my local school boards this bill and other bills and things that we keep saying here some ideas we will then looks looks like some of this is as gonna be some requirements in models for them to follow. And I just think sometimes I think we lose our focus after I say we're going to going to do this we want you this program to do this moment you this much you this after I go through all this long list of things we've done an insect how you doing on this text test and reading scores in your mouth I sometimes think we we throw so much at them that they have to even just to absorb all the different programs that we throw at them all of them with good intent and then want to say let's talk about those reading scores and. I wonder how much how many bills we would get here we'll we recognize the need for all these different things but what if we stopped and we took exercise breaks we decided to put you know. longer walking in between our different committee meetings I just think we we all recognize we've got some learning loss will recognize that we were behind and we need to improve even with record without the problem that we had the last year and that's my concern is when we pass these bills so quickly with great ideas but then we turn around and want to have accountability but how you doing other things that that that your primary focus so I love all these things and support on I just. I am that's why I am a no on this just because I I believe we're putting so much additional things on the schools. Any other discussion. Representative. Sure I'll just say very quickly to a representative to get these points I believe wholeheartedly that the focus of school should be student achievement that that should be the number one thing that schools are focused on with intensity and purpose but I think there's a strong correlation between health and student achievement so I'm yes thank you. Seeing no more discussion. All favor say aye opposed no. The ayes have it. represent major. Thank you committee I really appreciate H. B. eighteen sixty three we have an amendment on that one. Like to go ahead and introduce have your guests introduce yourself. Sure state representative Julie Mayberry. Hi my name is Pamela garner and I come to you guys today simply I'm a parent of a child with physical disabilities this is my shot calendar right now Carissa who is seventeen okay would you like to Present your amendment yes basically the amendment is adding the sponsor and then we're correcting a few mistakes we had a title wrong so that's all we're doing is just correcting a few things I have a motion representative vote to except the amendment all in favor say aye. He opposed no. All right you are recognized to present as amended. Thank you members it's been thirty years that we've had the Americans with disabilities act thirty years and I believe that there are quite a few public school facilities around the state we're not gonna get into specifics on which school districts I think just about every school district probably has something that needs to be fixed and there's a belief that if it's an older building that it does not have to comply with eighty eight and that's not actually what the law says federal law federal law does require that something is accessible that there is a worry Aram that there is a bathroom that is a wheelchair can get into that there is a a way to get on to the sidewalk and unfortunately a lot of schools just believe that well this is an older building so we don't have to comply and that's not really what the law says the law says you must comply however if it is an older building that was created and built before nineteen ninety one you need to explain why it doesn't need to comply with the the language actually says that the public entity has the burden of proving that compliance so. Of for example if If there's a beam in the way and that beam is holding up the whole building obviously you can't remove that beam to get it out of the way to make something accessible if there is an undue financial burden. Then you might not have to fix this. But give a solution as to how else it can be accomplished so what I'm trying to do with this bill. Is basically assess the access and address the access. Currently all the school districts and I know you all know this but they do have to present a master facilities plan. And in that already because I've got it right here in front of me it specifically says that they must identify issues with regard to public school facility in program access to individuals with disabilities and if necessary proposed methods for improving access so they're already required to show how they're going to make their facilities accessible the problem is is that I believe many of those areas people don't notice if you're not in a wheelchair every day you may not notice that there isn't a ramp you may not notice that when you go into the bathroom that there isn't a stall big enough for the wheelchair to get in there. And so this kind of gets overlooked and all I'm trying to do with this bill is give school districts more information the tools that they need to self assess so that when they turn in their already required master plan they will have picked out some things that they will do and have a plan on the order in which they will fix these. We don't expect anything to happen overnight that's not our our expectation as a matter of fact this report would even be due until twenty twenty four so I'm gonna lead Pamela garner just explain a little bit more why this is so important. Okay you guys and before I tell you there what I have to say I want to tell you what risks that just took away from listening to everything that's been going on this morning sent this bad I'm sorry but it's the truth of the matter you guys I've listened and it's been really interesting to hear everybody's thoughts on Hey girl what it should. She was a little less time of our and what should happen at schools right the changes that we need to make the things we can do to help physical education and in the classroom and the computer stuff and all this stuff and I'm thinking these are some great ideas you guys are bringing forth recess that over here and she went mom and I said yeah baby and she said these are the big issues in Arkansas schools when I can't even get through the doors. I want you guys to let that sink in for just a minute. No we're not going to talk about specific school districts today because Julie's right it's it's a problem across the state it's a problem across the country that recently our district was talking about a building program and I listen to sports moms talk about locker rooms and I was in the band of moms and dads talk about being halls that were bigger and better and I listen to everybody talk and I finally just looked out and I said guys this is the school first for education I am not worried about your locker rooms I'm not worried about your band holes I simply want my child in any child like her to have access to education so that's ultimately what we're here about today is giving them equal access to education so if we've learned anything from twenty twenty it's been that isolation is hard right you guys it's hard on all of this. And we also figured out that we're quite capable of adapting in a mighty way. This bill is simply asking for a plan towards adapting access through reasonable accommodation last week my daughter told me she felt like an inconvenience. Why we do not desire this bill to be an inconvenience on any school or on any district we also want to work together to bridge the gap between the walking and rolling world by removing the barriers and feelings of inconvenience and instead go to inclusion and include everyone as walkers we often have a hard time seeing this need but as rollers. It's a parent everywhere especially in schools across Arkansas this isn't simply about my daughter recess who is used wheels for seventeen years but it's also about parents like miss Allen who became a wheelchair user as an adult and often finds herself and able to simply attend things like meetings at her child's school because she doesn't have equal access into that building. I realize this is scary. And it seems huge. So is trying to fit into a world that's built for walkers. We're not asking you to require an immediate fix we are simply asking you for a plan. An example I was given once was imagine you had to eat a whole elephant you guys I have nothing against elephants I think they're great okay it's just an example. You couldn't do it in one sitting right it would be overwhelming and impossible you have to do it gradually one bite at a time today I'm asking you just sit at this table and take the first bite. We realize and acknowledge that money is tight for schools all across Arkansas. It doesn't take a lot of money though it simply takes creative thinking more than anything I want to give you an example that my daughter's school did without funds and without a lot of time we have to find a way for a reason to simply be able to access the bathroom with privacy and modesty the solution. Well there were three stalls connected with toilets right with dividers between them so we were able to is easily remove the center toilet capped the opening in the floor remove the dividing wall between the two of them. And it's easy is that we had in the sensible bathroom that keeps not only my daughter's dignity intact but anyone that comes to that school and uses the facilities. Remember this there are two things that I've learned in life. Everyone of us will face death. And everyone of us including me and each of you in this room will know and love someone in your lifetime who uses wheels for mobility. I'm asking you to please take the first bite today. Get our schools to simply move toward assessable inclusion for everyone especially our students no one deserves to feel like an inconvenience you have the power to start changing that future today. Questions yes I just also want to add that I do have here Nate then Alderson who is the state architect and also major Lindsey Williams sitting care the state fire marshal and they would be happy to provide any answers to questions that you may have if you want a more expert rather than did not walk sharing information we were in the resident of Deffenbaugh. Thank you Mr I just you know you said thirty it's been thirty years. Have have laws not being in did you not say that laws been in place to provide a legal access for wheelchair folks is that what you said so so yes the laws been in it's federal law laws been in place for thirty years but I am I believe that there's just a lot of misconception is that what that is that. A lot of times older buildings so let me say if it's a newer building recently built it's it's meeting those eighty eight requirements so are concerned that's why we actually say in the bill we want to focus on older buildings built before maybe even two thousand four and they can explain why we chose two thousand four. That It's some of the older buildings a lot of schools stadiums for example You know that not having and not having a bathroom that's accessible and what I've heard when I bring that up is well it's an old building we don't have to comply and that's really not what the law the federal law says you need to comply and if you can't comply you need to explain why is it way too expensive is there a an architectural barrier historical reasons something like that. So all we're trying to do is get the tools for the schools to assess and give better assessment and encourage them to come up with a plan because obviously they're not going to work on fixing those problems unless it's brought up and that's all I'm trying to do is bring the awareness to them. Okay it's so these you're recognized I'm just. You're recognized. So this the schools that have started the assistance just wanna be nineteen ninety one. Is there was no penalty for them if they didn't comply I mean is it is nobody is there any over side. I I might ask do you can I ask everyone of you to come up and help address those questions do you mind if we if you come up and introduce yourself you recognize to answer questions. Yes Sir my name is Lindsay Williams I'm a major with the State Police I'm the commander the regulatory division and service state fire marshal. I think the answer to the to the question is that we simply don't know about a lot of these buildings that are out there over today there are more opportunities for plan reviews with newer buildings they get review from the state fire marshal's office me on receiver review from division the Building Authority years ago those same reviews were not always in place and things just kind of slipped through the cracks and while schools are required to have to fire inspections a year that law requires those inspections to be done by local fire departments we participate in some of those if it's a small rural fire department it needs some assistance with that but the the truth the matter is those fire inspections are focused on things lack X. it lacks or sprinkler systems working fire extinguishers up to date in those local fire inspectors are not always looking at the sensibility issues and so these these buildings have just not been on anyone's radar maybe like they should be in okay I appreciate that answer thanks. Hello Sir question representative Paul I do not see. Thank you Mr chair so represented by very is a reason we left out of. I haven't school's or private charter schools because I know a lot of those schools are in old buildings also okay well we do have to do not mention private schools because. We just that's not what this committee is usually dealing with is the private schools but the charter schools are included in this. All charter schools are public okay thank you for the charters are in there. Russian got for. Thank you Mr chair represent Mayberry I think you mentioned it but did you say that schools are already including eighty eight compliance issues in their master plan and what but doesn't go far enough in your opinion in the master plan I'm I'm I also like to hear from somebody from the Division and facilities if anyone is here just to talk about what's currently being done especially in the event of a complete and why this additional step would be helpful sure I know Tim Kaine who is over the facilities could not be here today had a prior engagement but he did tell me someone from the department Place as I mentioned it is included in there supposed to supposed to be included in their master facility plan it's just not necessarily always looked at as closely as it should be because I I really believe that the tools to help them know what needs to be done just has not been given to the school districts would feel happy if you'll come to the table to get that answer. John Martin best cation representative could you repeat the question please sure I was just wondering what the current requirement is for those master plans to talk about ADA compliance and what protocols are in place in the event of a complete or at you know raising the concern that something that a certain building a certain. Section of the building is not complete so the master plans are going to deal with the addition addition of buildings or the Refurbishing the buildings remodeling the other major construction that not might happen and in those situations ADA compliance is because it would be a consent it's new construction with the addressed in those master plans but they don't districts don't remodel all their buildings so they when they replace buildings obviously the old buildings that are decommissioned or or demolished then that that takes care of the complaints we the Division does not really deal with the complaints eighty eight complaints go to I believe two majors division when complaints come I think that may be part of the issue is that sometimes citizens don't know to whom the complaint but if we do get a complaint that would not be something that the Division would act upon we would. contact the appropriate enforcement to authorities and cooperate with them on that. Represent Murdock as questions for you. So as it relates assented key skews me thank you to a key to this situation obviously most of our school districts have children that it maybe even some staff to use wheelchairs and have been brought to your attention that there is a sensibility issue and are in any of the buildings I know that little ones what they require but I just wanna deal to relativity of of this now. This act your agents will representative I mean I think represent Mayberry has brought to our attention that there are instances I can't speak or we at this point I don't have any documentation of anything that has come into us that That we will furnish for you at this point I mean it's again the regulatory part of ADA is not something that falls under the department or division of facilities but we would consult with the proper agencies if we did get those complaints and a follow up question for you if that's okay I know with these additional funds that we're getting now these federal dollars with getting there that some of communication that talked about being able to save if you for lack of better or some of these funds for future uses with this type of at this time assessment is done the need is is is found and determined because this would require possibly some real funds and some some buildings that I'm aware of to become assessable could those funds be used in the future for this type of. A that patient possible the federal funds of the communication we've received so far from the US department of education these federal funds have to be tied in some way to the covered pandemic and so you know obviously. HVAC systems I have a direct correlation there other types of construction. That don't have a direct connection we would not advise without further clarification from the federal government we wouldn't really be able to advise districts if they could use those funds in this manner. Okay thank you thank you to. All right any other questions thanks are. Any other questions committee. Seeing none see if the audience I don't believe we have the one side the for or against the audience is the one. Out there. We like close your bill. Upshur thank you I'd like to add that a a E. a has voted to support this this is a bill We sat down with all the folks who are listed on here and had discussions over what can we do here's the problem and this was the idea that was presented if you don't like this idea I'm willing to listen to some other ideas but it's been thirty years. And if we don't bring the awareness it might be another thirty. And. Just as a. This is a good bill. I'm not gonna go there. This really started more for me about bathrooms. I was at a high school my daughter was in band so we traveled around to a lot of different stadiums. And when I went to a high school and this happened at several different places I'm just gonna give you one example there wasn't a bathroom for me to take my daughter to. A bathroom. Can you imagine going to a high school football game that's two or three hours. And then telling you you can't use the bathroom. Would you go back to that game. We had to use we had to go across the parking lot had to go find the visitor's boys locker room. And that's where I had to take my daughter. The boys were out on the field. Luckily at that time when we were coming out they were running back in before the game started. And that's when I kind of put my foot down I said what can we do about this and this is not the only facility I had someone come to another game and it was an adult who was coming just to watch and she told me that the bathroom the door wouldn't close it wasn't big enough for her to get her chair in there Jazztet had to ask a stranger to stand by in the bathroom and just kind of block the vision of people coming in. That's what I'm talking about if we wait another thirty years to just bring the awareness there's no requirement in here to do the work right now we just want to give them the tools so that they can make better assessments and see things that perhaps they don't see so that not just. Children in wheelchairs but that faculty. And parents. And at any moment any one of us. Could be in a wheelchair have surgery on her leg on our need whatever we can't walk and we need that access. I appreciate a good vote. I have many people asking for a motion of this represent Murdock Richey involve myself all of us I think would do that so I did see represent Baltz and come up first so we'll let her be the lead on that of a do pass we have a discussion this representative Lowery as amended yes I'm just gonna say briefly as many of you know. I've been on a knee scooter most of this session and one the first days I showed up on it representative Deborah Ferguson said to me about you have a fresh appreciation for the Americans with disabilities act and I said I absolutely do especially with an older building like the state capital just just simple things like being able to get over a threshold in a door that that is too high cracks in the ramps that the that cause problems so I'm very sensitive always was but it really you know when you go through something like that I'm I'm very appreciative of your legislation and so I will be supporting. I see no other all in favor say aye opposed no. Regulations you've passed your bill thank you Committee thank you. represent Lowery I believe you're up next on the House Bills we're trying to get rid of all House bills today so we will have to make sure they will try to see how many Senate bill we can't hear I think. Representative of VOL are you going to run five oh two okay if you have someone signed up to speak. Okay. Reserve Lowery recognized to. H. B. seventeen sixty one I believe you have a statement about H. B. nineteen oh one yes let me start with H. B. nineteen oh one This bill And let me be on the call this up because I worked really hard to shore statement please I'm tryin and tryin. You work really hard to to properly pronounce some of these words. At the I that was a challenge for the chairman on whether I'd be able to well that was what I wanted over here though you pronounce okay well this bill nineteen no one requires the secretary of the department of education issue a guidance memorandum regarding the unique educational needs of students with dyslexia dyslexia dyscalculia and describe FIA and to declare an emergency I think I might have gotten those close Yeah okay that's kinda what I came up with I think that looks okay what I've found in the process of moving towards this bill this is one that I'm co sponsoring with senator Irvin I've had conversations with the with the the Department they've indicated to me that they have produced a commissioner's memo in at it's been a while I think since it's been distributed but they have made an agreement with me and I'll just say this on the record in there so I don't think there's any need to get Secretary key here nodding his head in affirmation just say that they have made a commitment that that guidance member memo on these learning disabilities they will distribute that to the schools annually and that they were also put it on there a portal so that it is archived in the and the reason for that that annual distribution is because staff does change administrators changed you have new children coming in to parents and they need to be able to to see that guidance about these learning disabilities so I'm going to be withdrawing house bill nineteen to one because of the believe the Department has fully supported that they want to do this and that they can do it without legislation. Great great. that so that one was easy you're recognized for your bill Shankly's H. B. seventeen sixty one as you know you are presented early early in the session. And I don't know if the announcmenet of this bill actually is what cleared the room but of members but anyway the bill earlier in the session that I presented was related to the sixteen nineteen project there was another bill also that never did get presented which really created most of the fire I think behind the the emails and contacts you had which referred to the issue of critical race theory what this is has Let me to develop and and I've I've had outside help on this is to recognize any of you know remember the thing that I've focus back on in my testimony was talking about how the founders reference that the that we are forming a more perfect union. And what that meant what it means to form a more perfect union that it at it was a recognition by the founders that we weren't there that just because we were drafting the declaration of independence for the constitution that that in and of itself was not perfect what was going to be perfect with something that was going to be a process and unfortunately that process is taking way too long and that's what this bill is about is the racial and ethnic equality Act it promotes I might go for this is to promote unity between all ethnicities and races the bill seeks to make real the dream of Reverend Dr Martin Luther king junior. Who look forward to a day when people would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I believe that when Thomas Jefferson wrote that all men are created equal. That he could have been pre shipped in saying eat are actually saying these words himself that that is the goal that is what the end goal of what we should be aiming for is that we're not looking at skin color we're not looking at this the we're looking at the content of each of each person's character so what the bill the key points of the bill or this. Prevents the teaching of racism in our public schools. It says the schools cannot teach that any race any race or ethnicity is superior to any other. That any race or ethnicity is inherently racist. That any race or ethnicity should feel guilt or shame because of their race or their ethnicity or skin color. At any race or ethnicity should be blamed for societal problems. They cannot teach that it would be good to overthrow the government of the United States or its economic system. Cannot teach that the United States is an inherently racist nation and cannot teach that the promoting of prejudice or discrimination toward any race or ethnicity. And this cuts both ways. I mean this is not just saying that you and I hope you understand the substance of this because we do have corners of our world unfortunately hopefully not in Arkansas but it's probably there. That there's a promotion that that whites are more are superior to blacks I know one of the one of the witnesses that's going to come in here and speak against the bill on his Facebook page he has the tagline fight white supremacy. He recognizes that that is something that is still out there and he's been working against that. This would also we that would this would prohibit any teaching at any influence that would promote that but it also goes the opposite way obviously where because of your whiteness you're being singled out as being part of the societal problem. we don't need that in our schools we need to be focusing on education rather than the social issues that divide us especially doing it in a way that is devices. So. What's the mechanism the school should still allow and it the rip built specifically references this the school must allow fair and open discourse in the exchange of ideas about race or ethnicity it does not inhibit in any way those discussions because as I've said before in previous presentations we would be committing educational malpractice if we did not talk about race and ethnicity if we did not talk about specific points in history here in Arkansas related to the issues of of civil rights whether it's talking about the nineteen fifty seven central high crisis or the Alain rights for us to ignore that is to ignore what is a part of Arkansas's history so those discussion should take place but they should take place in a way that doesn't point fingers and does it make accusations it doesn't say that this race is responsible for the under through the the under cutting of our society and laying laying blame that we should be able to. Make a giant step forward informing that more perfect union here today with this legislation we say we can have these conversations without blaming one another and that's really the real intent here of the bill. Parents would also have the right to review all curriculum and other instructional materials at their child's school we've already frankly already voted on that and other bills that there Rep chairman Cozart and chairman Senate chair busy Irvin have already passed a bill that said parents would have the right to review curriculum so that's not that's not a new thing we already have that. Department of education in each local school district with default develop policies for implementation of this act and if the department believes that schools violated the act the department may require the school to appear before the state board of education to answer for the actions but also to to talk about rehabilitation or how to make sure that it doesn't happen again the State Board she could determine why the law was violated determine how to avoid violating it in the future and they could levy any penalties the board believes appropriate that would be the board of education it's not us we're not putting in here any penalties there's no clawing back of finances that are actually contained in this bill this is I hope. My greatest hope is that this is a road map for us to move forward I know I have filed legislation that has maybe fuel in some people's opinion this divisiveness and that is not been Michael. That's really the goal has been to get to this point. To say that this is exactly where we want to be in our schools we want our we want our kids to be able to get along with one another and not be fueled by anything that would create division. Especially if it were in the discussion of these issues we know that they're volatile. But they also we also know that it's necessary to have discourse that I've I've taught communication courses and I've taught sections on conflict resolution and one of the things that I have said consistently is that the word conflict gets a bad rap I mean we we of media outlet go gosh we don't want conflict but it's only through conflict we've seen this it's not pretty but we've seen this in this legislative session that there's been conflict but it's conflict iron. Iron sharpening iron that gets us to the point where we can hopefully have a more perfect union we have to have those discussions but we should do it in a way that minimizes to the extent possible if any blame any shame in the division. So that's in essence that is the presentation and I'm open to any questions rezar Murdock correct. Thank you chair of. With them Lowery yes you do you can label that tag because of the the legislation and sometime it brings you have good things in it good ideas when you practices in my opinion good within you'll put in something that will preclude the truth even so in this situation my question to you might wanna try to get understanding on you don't want to talk about for it to be taught. That things have happened in history that have been press of they are a part of the history it is is where whites blacks whomever may have done something wrong or offensive so. Those things. Can and should be taught now because it happened. In the acknowledgement of it sometimes we get better by acknowledgment at and we move forward but when you present legislation is say aye. It happened it all president Obama said this some of the king said this but that's not a that's not a knowledge it let's just go for it. Part of the help for all of us is to face it and heal from it but not ignore it so what's your legislation to me unless I'm missing what you're trying to get over here say yes for us not to deal with it. You know that I know you say don't teach racism. Right nobody is teaching racism when they articulate or. Show evidence of what happened and who did it that's not teaching racism that's what happened. Well if I if I may respond there's nothing in the bill that says that we should not teach that these events happened. Instead what it does say is that we should not be teaching the conclusion that because these events happen that the United States of America is inherently racist I don't believe that and I don't believe that you believe that. If America it was systemically and inherently races. America would not have elected Barack Obama president. America would not have elected a vice president Kamal Harris. we would not have had great great chairman of our secretaries like Ben Carson Colin pal. That's that's what I'm saying is the we've we should be able to overcome that we should be able to overcome we can discuss it we can talk about it but what is dangerous is when we come to the conclusion that is presented to students that because these things happen America is inherently racist and I think that that is the part that is divisive the open discourse should take place and I actually reference that in the bill that there should be discourse there should be a discussion of these things but that we should shy away significantly from the in conclusion that these things lead us to believe that America systemically racist and my last quick follow the chair is this is the bill also alludes to the conclusion of the teacher or the local school board having the the autonomy to determine curriculum and what should be taught and how it should be taught so I think it also takes that away from them and I think you know nobody would want to present something that would calls more Problems in in in disunity among people and the teaching of it and I think they know how to do that and do that in a manner because I don't think it's happening in a matter of this calls in division to the extent that you have this legislation for so my issue with it is that we should allow them to teach it in the manner that they have been trained to do and I think they do fairly effectively in most in most cases. Thank you. Richmond got for you're recognized. Thank you Mr chair represent Larry and notice you don't have any co sponsors on this bill was wondering if you talked to any of the black members of this committee or of this house and to garner their support for racial and ethnic inequality Act I think it's important to have voices from communities of color some wondering if you talked to any members of the black caucus or any stakeholders from communities of color to get their thoughts on this bill yes yes I did I spoke with the representative Jamie Scott whose whose district is contiguous with mine we had a short conversation hurt her concern was additionally and we can even get beyond this that in the Legislative findings which is really not even part of what would be codified she was concerned of the quotes from Martin Luther king and Barack Obama did it seem like I was trying to stick poke a stick in the eye of African Americans by saying Hey you're you're what here are your leaders words and we're turning their back on you and I said absolutely not I mean I can go ahead and remove those but I think it's important I think it's important for him to for us to hear these words especially what Martin Luther king says that are that we want our children to be judged by the content of their character not the color of their skin I think that that is an important starting point but unfortunately she and I were not able to get past that point in actually I'd ask her to co present with me and so but I did approach approach Follows so to clarify there are no people of color who support this bill. I don't know that I I hope that they would it I've not had anyone come to me and say that they oppose it today is that knowing that two people of signed up to speak against is the first indication that there is opposition to it thank you. Any other questions. All right we do have someone here to speak for against the bill we have to that have signed up I have no one signed up to speak for a lance lavar. Mr levar feel come to table state your name and who you're with and we'll hear your testimony against this bill thank you I am last live our I'm here on my own time as a private citizen of the state I'm also a. Former as a teacher high school middle school assistant principal principal educator. and I've had the in a few different discussions with representative Lowery in different places mostly through Facebook. And we've engages some some good conversations. What and and I think the point is trying to get out to to representative Murdock had spoken of his we need to get there and that is where we need to be. however there are some lines in that that kind of throw some issues when you start to get into teaching That the US is inherently racist or cannot teach that now we have a definition of who's the one that defines when I cross that line in making that statement unfortunately at a time when we speak about racism we speak about it to keep of offending us white people. And and so we have to protect ourselves we use I appreciate monitors court I'd like to share another quote from Martin Luther king junior. At the very same time that the government refused to give the Negro any land through an act of Congress are going was giving away millions of acres of lands in the west in the Midwest which meant it was willing to under guard it's white peasants from Europe with an economic floor but not only did they give the land they built land grant colleges with government money to teach them how to farm only that they provided county agents to further their expertise in farming not only that they provided low interest rates in order that they could make a nice their farms not only that today many of these people are receiving millions of dollars in federal subsidies not to farm and they are the very people telling the black man that he ought to lift himself up by his own bootstraps now I don't know if that would be considered teaching that the nation is racist. But it's a true statement of what happened in our nation. you know I've been talked a lot about racism the stuff I want to share the story and then and kinda in my thought after this. Hey you know I I I have an experience here I I want you to think about if they had a scale. And and this right left side and I don't use that for political ideology I'm just using it right website so make that really clear so on the right side if you put you put two weights on both of this. Scale. And the way to the you think that they're the exact same weight yet every time you do it the right size always have your than the left. And you keep wondering why is that happening and so event you realize there's an issue with the scale and so you start to adjust the scale to bring in the balance what those weights on the right they say wait a second you are now. Adding things against me. Because I've always been the heavier weight and now you're making a false adjustments so that I'm not that have your weight anymore and so they get upset that this would happen. From the perspective of the weights on the left side it looks like you're purposely on leveling the scale in the first place and now they're finally able to get the scale level or at least you're trying to and so why do we talk about the racism that systemic in our nation. And that's because of the numbers that exist. If we talking education since is the education world that result itself in higher disciplinary numbers. That result itself in a higher at the representation in the special education so the things I experienced when I was a principal. if we look at U. S. thirteen percent of the population is black but thirty four percent of the jail male population is black eighteen percent of the female population is black. the Arkansas we have a fifteen percent of our population is black our legislatures only eleven percent black. Looking at the public facing data that's out there on the a state department of that Arkansas has twenty percent of the students. Who are black yet nine percent of our certified staff for black. And school choice bills that are out there to provide opportunity if you look at the current school choice that cost nothing only eight percent of those that take that are black. There are systemic issues that existed unfortunately if we look at this and we say things that say I'm not gonna teach racism or that our nation is racist then people started to find that if I point out the errors in our nation's history I'm now teaching that it's racist and now I've broken that bill it's like when I tell my daughter who tripped and ran into her brother and I say you need to tell him you're sorry and she cries I didn't mean to I know you didn't mean to but he still got hurt. And you didn't intend to and it may have even been your fault you didn't know that thing was there but saying I'm sorry in addressing the wrong and a knowledge thing that something happened in the systemic is not bad. It's strong it brings our nation closer. I had encouraged to look at these things and what we've done this legislative session so many good things that have happened on bullying and hazing in trying to help people out with stuff let's not ended by passing something that can shut down an opportunity to have open discussion and with that I'm done I'll take any questions if there are any any questions seeing that thank you Sir. This time of. And foster care for. The state your name again for the record. My name is Ryan one Boston with the Ozarks coalition you're recognized speak against this bill thank you Sir good morning to committee It's Bills interesting it was stated as fact that apparently Mister Lowery did not have any people of color such as me somebody lives in Boone County Harrison Arkansas reach out to him about this bill. This is exactly why he blocked me as soon as I started raising any kind of protest about it then he blocked members of our coalition all the people of color and our coalition who protested this bill. This bill while on the face sounds really nice is really idealistic it talks about you know the quotes from John F. Kennedy a man of peace Martin Luther king a man of peace proper bomb. We're pretty influential leader for the twenty first century however it does not address the serious chronic issues that exist here in the state of Arkansas when we talk about race. Truthfully I'm not here to put the blame on one race or another only exists in twenty first century it's all I know but I am here to say that our history is not this idealistic whitewash that most people want to believe it is it wasn't red white and blue it was unified we had violent horrifying sections of it to the race that from our education means that our students will not learn about this violence section means that things like the insurrection of the capital will happen over and over again. We have to prevent that as citizens of Arkansas we have a teacher people be better we have to give them the uncomfortable truths and reality of living in America no things are not always equal no things not always justified sorry sometimes race will determine your outcome for certain situations if there are people who are scared of this conversation I would implore them write a bill to make things actually equal do not just label some horrible bill to strip people of their free speech or. Prohibit teachers from speaking freely about subjects. To make yourself feel better that's not the point of this legislation relation or this legislator this government one is government is give American citizens are Kansans the opportunity to do better. That is one going to ask for this committee and I would also ask that in the future members of this committee be fully honest with everybody in the committee thank you. Thank you Sir. I have no one else signed up to speak for against the bill. Represent Lowery would you like close for your your way okay I've seen somebody way back there somebody from the audience can you hang. Did signed up again but I do need to start doing that if you will speak please. Sorvillo Mr Gerard all right it's it's okay I just didn't call because that is anybody else you're you're you're good my name's the canyon with Arkansas family counsel speak on the bill we do support the bill what it plan on speaking this morning but I often hear race bring up but I have read the bill. America. Is not inherently races is not systemically racist. And this bill tries to address that I believe we believe in a fashion that the. Teaches history because the history major at Hendrix puzzle to Justice strain a way that's not hateful. My dad fled communist China in forty nine my parents immigrated here in the early eighties. They became American citizens they work hard they have their own business they learn English I'm able to live the American dream every single day. And so to call my. Friends. Into cheap and the hard work of my family and my parents is really offensive. This country was systemically racist I want to be sitting in front of you today I want to have been able to run for office in the past and so they may be you know I know maybe some we all have issues with how the bills written but the content of the bill is to make sure that we start having our educators teach history in a way that doesn't the fame any any type of a people of any race or ethnicity and so I ask for a the support of this bill. Rosa Murdock your question yes can so misty and you sit here and you and I sit here and we represent those that did make it through. But I do not want you to forget that there's so many that look like you and me the because of the facts that have been mentioned today did not make it and they are a part of our history and they should be acknowledged called it does not necessarily give the label or the title of the way the bill is is is tiling people that discuss what has happened to you and me for people like you and me and maybe you would be specifically so please don't forget it because we shall we should not forget we're here for a reason. And that reason. And I've always admired you for thinking that you representative that. This is support something that did that but dials the ability to teach the fax to express what is happened during our journey. Erica's journey there's nothing wrong with that it should not be muzzled it should not be manipulated in the true should be told so we can move forward. There's nothing wrong with that. represent Murdock and you and our friends and and we've talked about this before just race relations and I believe this you know this bill attempts to address and the fact that the matter is that many in our educations to manipulate it now today and and so you know I am a history major I and I know you know I've dealt with racism Mudo racers recently this year it was it was with all the stuff Garner I'm not COVID I think we're trying to address you know what's taught in class you have to have taken after making history I read the I have read slave narratives which most people to talk about African American history on the problem at red one slave narrative and so I know those things I know that there are educators are able to teach it and the fashion that's not I would say condescending towards a particular race or ethnicity and and and broad brushing that moving forward that's what we don't need this bill. I disagree with that. Representative Murdock is the other question. Seeing no other questions for you thanks are. Several are like clothes for your bill. Thank you Mr. I sincerely apologize to you. That I put you in an uncomfortable situation. But you know our our students are put in uncomfortable situations all the time. I try to express that yesterday on the floor with the hazing bill making sure that you know we're one of the witnesses and spoke against it so we make great strides on stopping bullying and stopping hazing and yesterday we missed an opportunity to protect our students from hazing that is being done. It is being done by those who we have placed an authority. Same thing is also being done in this is this issue you can teach history. Without assigning blame. You can talk about these issues without being threatening and I will just tell you. Right now that one of the reasons why I did block Mr Doris was because he posted a video that claimed threats against the legislature. Claim threats against me. And I was not going to maintain that kind of connection it's one of the reasons why you know we've we've we've been instructed to let capitol police no we feel like we're going to be threatened. We should be beyond that. We should be well beyond that that's why this bill specifically talks about that there is nothing here that says that we should inhibit or stop discourse that we should stop doing the very things that representive Murdock is talking about talking about the history talking about the circumstances even talking about some of the numbers that Mr lavar brought Ford. That is part of our history but it is not part of our fabric. It is not part of of what Barack Obama actually said in a it's in the bill and I just feel like I want to close with this. Reese's let's remember that we are all part of one American family. We are United in common values and that includes belief in equality under the law. Basic respect for public order and the right of peaceful protest. To that end our public education system should unite our common values strengthen our believe in equality under the law per may promote basic respect for public order and provide a venue for robust debate. Civil discourse in respect for opposing points of view and appellate peaceful manner. That's what this bill aims to do that's the hope is that we could have robust discussion but we can do it in such a way that we did not cast aspersions we do not craft accusations and we do not demean and belittle our students when we are having these discussions. The members I would ask for your support I think just like with the the knee scooter I've grown a new appreciation for ADA compliance or non compliance. But also I have grown a new appreciation in some of the defeats that I've taken in this session of grown a great appreciation for being in the minority. I know it's difficult representive Bardock. I understand that. But we need to get beyond that we need to get beyond these scales and weighing the scales and putting extra weight on the scales we can do that today with this legislation and I would appreciate your support for it I will. Well. I don't put myself in position of pride be the only yes but I'll make the motion of do pass we have a motion to pass. As is amended to read I would amended okay that's motion to pass written Kayla kids you have a. Hello motion thank you Mr Speaker and I know we're entering discussion time here so I really want to get some folks feedback on this Your call I took a hard vote on sixteen nineteen project I think there's a problem but I did think that was the right solution I think there's still a problem what is the right solution and what I'm wondering is as we discussed here Nine twenty four and I want to read them not lines lines twenty six to thirty on the provisions one through four I want to get your honest feedback if if there's agreement on this if we just say public schools will not teach the following that any race or ethnicity ethnicity is superior to any other race that any race or ethnicity is inherently racist that any race or ethnicity should feel guilt or shame because of their race or ethnicity and that any race or ethnicity should be blamed for societal problems if this bill just had those four things so that we made it clear. When you come to school that we're not going to look at any child and say you're this race and therefore you were this. I I see there's some problems and concerns with the others but do we agree there is what I'm wondering what is the feedback there were we at least are going to say. We're going to the at least so we're not gonna allow that we're going to bring the child into a place where their captive audience. And look at them based on their race or ethnicity and therefore draw conclusion that's mine I would like to get your feedback in anyone else's feedback on that if we have. Cano a common area there Rison Murdock what we're simply said that there are parts of the bill that does a brings thing make a statement to make sense and so I do agree with that but the whole list a part of we have to take the whole bill that's the problem we have to get past a whole piece of legislation. Follow up on our follow up but I know we're discussion here. I know it looks to me like this probably will not pass and I know we're at the end of the session here and I know we can have these discussions of one percent of that maybe it's more valuable for people have online. Last as we discuss and I'll be through that's why would someone acts of represent lari what he should have done is include bills that you're talking about and we can help you make this probably a passable piece of legislation you know include me and it and he said he talked to someone and he didn't get of it concurrence but I sit right beside him and he hasn't mentioned this to me the or any other soap so it can happen but it takes a coming together of the people this affected by the stakeholders being at the table a lot of times when you're not in the media become a part of the menu and that's what this appears to be because in fairness I know there's a bill yesterday that I had some thoughts on it I didn't get to the person ahead of time because you know maybe make some improvements on it because we all can't get we just can't do it can we there's so much going on and so much that's just my thought on here is if. I believe those four principles right there at least or something hopefully we can agree on and and and we still have a little bit of time and I'm wondering if if we could get together and come up with at least something like that to present Monday that's that's my suggestion looking for an reserve got free. Thank you Mister chair I agree wholeheartedly with representative we can see that we don't have enough voices in this piece of legislation represent Lowery you've made clear into your perspective in your opinion your views your world view and that is spelled out in this bill that I think if we're going to pass a piece of legislation called you know the racial and ethnic equality act we have to include. Diverse voices in in the legislative process you know drafting the bill and and to represent McKenzie and reference points to get to a place where it truly is unifying an equitable because that process hasn't taken place and and it it's a limited perspective a limited world view which is your own but not inclusive of other opinions particularly those of people of color I have to oppose. All right for the rest of Lowery will sure there's nobody else in the discussion Russian Lowery had discussion on the motion yes and thank you for allow me to discuss is a member of the committee I am perfectly willing to make any changes if if the recommendations that representative McKenzie is suggested meet with the approval of the committee I will do that and be willing to even engage in conversations between now and our next meeting with representative burdock representative Godfrey whoever would want to talk to me you know. This bill drafting process is not a perfect process you know and and I think the ability for us to have discussion it on bills it is really vital I know sometimes we don't always get to do it and that's really you know I have also taught small group communication and that and that's when you actually hone down the policies and ideas is in the discussion and I apologize that I did not gain that kind of discussion or. Elicit that kind of discussion process I was surprised this bill has been out there for well over a month to go sit though we never know pardon to we discuss it we well I know I mean that I expected as I was invited to the the the black caucus to discuss the sixty nineteen project I really expected to hear that in the end and I know you me an answer real quick because I'm I'm trying to understand the answer is I will change this however the committee feels is appropriate in that I would bring it back without further discussion the next meeting for a vote you'll pull it today. yes I will okay let's pull it today and it will come back on Tuesday okay thank you all right thank you I have a short bill and then we're going to hear representive although she still wants to run it that so I'll be moved to the end. Members represented Cozart will be presenting Senate bill five seventy six pupil that a. President goes out you're recognized for senate bill thank you Mr chairman ladies gentlemen this is a a bill is Senator Clark and were approached five from one of our districts superintendents about truancy of under the Virtual world that we've had for the last year so what this does it just requires a public school to adopt attendance policies required under circumstances for public schools students attending a school partially are remotely. Of the new language bases all new language I'll read it to use real short so The basic record showing the day attendance of absence for each school for school year shall be kept by teacher officially designated person and notes the attendance and absence of students on a daily basis each school districts and open enrollment public charter shall have the policy detailing a record of people's attendance shall be kept for public schools students who attend be a virtual or remote learning program if the method forty telling attendance is different from the method required under subdivision a to a of this section. Arkansas Code six Datia eighteen twenty two two two. B. three B. should concerning the suspension of the motor vehicle license of a student fourteen years of age or older who is no longer school is amended to read as follows this section applies to the same force and effect. To the student attending school virtual or remote learning program so if they're true it now in a regular school their license can be pulled and they will not have a driver's license so this would just same thing would apply to of virtual if they're virtually truant this can apply to that to the full rescue for. Try to entertain some questions the questions from members. Seeing none there's no one signed up to speak for against policy on a C. one once before the bill. Against the bill. Seeing none represent Cozart from a close out as for do pass. Motion to pass discussion on the motion. Si number vote on motion all those favor say aye opposed nay I was having graduation passion bill. Representative Vaught you're recognized to present Senate bill five oh two you have the scallops are signed up to speak shall introduce herself for the record please. Good morning Mr chairman of the committee on Lara Callum's with Arkansas advocates for children and families. So today I bring to you Senate bill five oh two a little bit of background in two thousand seventeen the legislator legislature passed act ten fifty nine which bands out of school suspension or expulsion for students K. through twelve this will go a step further and take it six through I'm sorry K. through five this will take it six through twelve and it'll include foster kids our foster children I don't really. And so research shows that says students who act out in class are often struggling to read and perform on grade levels in all subjects. And then when they're out of school and it makes it even more difficult for them to keep up with class work and and I have the expert at the table to give us more information and answer any questions that we might have. State your name and who you're with you're recognized. Thank you Mr chairman Laurie Callum's with Arkansas advocates for children and families sorry that's okay. I don't mind saying it twice representative vied explain this well I'm I would just add that that the two thousand seventeen legislation and I'm included as a provision that students sure students could still be suspend out of school suspension or it could still be expelled if they if they put are harm to themselves or others or present a serious disruption that cannot be addressed through other means and this at this bill would add foster children six through twelve that she said but it would still keep that provision that allows that in that case in those extreme circumstances. And I'll be happy to ask any questions I note at the hour is late so I don't really read. Representative could see. Thank you Mister chair I do have a question that's probably for the department of ed. If we can bring them up at some point we got plenty of room in there now with a lot of people. Johnny key part of education and probably depends on the question as to how best can answer but House Bill you just make a start okay sure one wondering is I understand that the the the the motivation behind this but Are there any limitations right now on how long he's a school can keep a student in in school suspension for instance we've got a foster child who was acted out in they don't fall into one these exclusions here but it's been pretty serious. The only only for students with a disability with the that's what has a limit on in school suspensions. If that's the short answer it gets a lot more complicated if you want court to come up and give you the complicated answer we can bring our well I'm just trying to you know seeing what we can do best because. We do have a question and I'll ask my second question and the maybe they can answer both because of the same area are we going to have any problems or issues with despair at treatment because our first inclusion was KA three five I realize we prop up but now we're saying K. through twelve but only for a at a group of students. So that's my concern just because also I don't think oftentimes that the student population knows that these students are foster students foster care so when they see one student getting one application of discipline and they get a different one that's what I'm wanting those two different issues there someone could dress those. He probably I have to escort you come on the. Pretty sells Ford Act counsel for the department of education okay so going back to your inschool suspension question it depends if the school district puts a child that has disabilities and and I. E. P. in in school suspension there is a limit of ten days unless the school district is providing the exact same services and special education that the child would receive in the setting that they were in before in school suspension if they reduce the number of special education minutes or the amount of related therapy services that the student is getting then it counts as exclusionary discipline and so it is limited to ten days so that's why it's kind of a longer answer the Bill does like you said extends the current to K. five limitation two K. six through twelve only for foster students the school district cannot share that information with other students and so to students and possibly some parents it may appear that there is different treatment you might have to students who commit the same behavior one might be suspended where as if one is a foster child they are receiving at a different discipline legally that's permissible as long as there there's a law in place that allows for that the school district can't explain to either parent why the other child is is getting a different disciplinary action you were very recently as Senator Dismang is Bill pass through here where school districts will have to take into consideration the adverse childhood experiences such as and the child being in foster care and other things going on at home because we know that the child being in those types of situations and having had those types of experiences often is and because I have and am manifest itself in those types of behaviors as leading to the discipline and so I think I'm not speak for the sponsors but I think that's kind of the the one of the purposes behind the. Bill is to reflect that foster students often display behaviors that are leasing leading to disciplines and so we really want schools to focus on providing positive behavioral supports and other things to those students instead of immediately going to exclusionary types of discipline like a suspension and expulsion. You get. Other questions anybody. Representative which a good enough for like a representative I'm sure it'll be short sweet thank you Mr I this is just really by information what I wanna make sure I'm reading this right so this this applies to grades K. through five and then the only is it only the foster. Your children in grades six through twelve it's foster K. through twelve that K. through five was what we passed earlier yeah yeah so this will add six through twelve. For foster children yes Sir that's it no every every sorry buddy. Follows. Everybody else is under the same guys is they already wars for six to twelve yes okay thanks. Richard Godfrey thank you Mr chair and it looks like this bill is amended to to no longer include students with IEPs as I write the first version has sued to the AP's as not being able to be suspended or expelled and not just K. twelve foster student yes okay thank you for the clarification. Any other questions. Seeing none. For any we do have one. Shimmer Mr Martin. I believe we also sherry Rogers. Get both of you down there. Speak for the bill yes thank you hi Mr Martin I'm the Director of the Division of Children and Family Services at DHS I brought we are in support of the bill Abbott along with me sir Rogers who is our educationally liaison for DCFS and works day in and day out with their kids in the schools around suspensions and expulsions and everything I. E. P. so I'll turn it over to her to give some statements. Senate education specialist for DCFS I'm like this Martin said I deal with our foster kids hundred databases that are being suspended and expelled or recommended for expulsion I. Probably deal with forty to fifty kids per month and many of those kids have the protection of the special ed the or five oh four in there a you know so that ensures that the. school administration go through the auction behavior assessment for behavior of manifestation termination conferences so that helps them to enables them to drill down a little bit more as to why the child is doing what they're doing but our foster kids our foster children. They don't have the that protection and the assurance of that staff the school staff across the state consistently to go ahead and drill down and take that extra moment to take a look at what the adverse childhood experiences that child has been going through the trauma that that that that child is going through to make that a a more informed decision as to what that consequence needs to be for that child and it's maybe instead of impose consequences to to put the intensive interventions in place for that child to be successful and to be able to stay in the school setting rather than being suspended that being the first option that they look at immediately so. Are any questions seeing none thank you all. All right thing no more testimony would you like to close for your bill yes Sir. Thank you Mr chair so again this does have provisions and if there are harm to themselves or harm to someone and then they will be able to be expelled I just so you know we do have that cabbie ought in there but this will include K. through twelve and it will be foster children only so with that I'd appreciate a good vote what your vote a motion to pass to do pass. The sponsor all right any discussion on the motion. Seeing none all in favor say aye opposed no. Regulations we have one bill left to run if if you don't mind I believe I believe it will be fairly short if not we'll hang camera outside. Okay we'll call them a stripper representative Cooper six sixty two Senate bill. Okay. I had a thirty minute presentation prepared so that's that's not a not a good idea. I do have one person signed up to speak on the bill. For. members thank you for for your indulgence and what we're trying to make this last too long but my good friend Senator Hill center he'll ask me to run SB six sixty two and this establishes a day of prayer for Arkansas students is important to note this has nothing to do with prayer in school this is prayer for schools and prayer for our students the best way described as just to read it with the real quick today prefer Arkansas students. Journal General Assembly finds the students this actual status or the state's greatest resource last Wednesday in September of each year to be recognized as a day of prayer for Arkansas students the governor so annually per claim the last Wednesday in September of each year as a day of prayer for Arkansas students and call upon the citizens of this state in accordance with their own faith and conscience to pray meditate or otherwise reflect upon the following individuals in the state students teachers school administrators and schools and department of ed will will notify schools that will be a day of prayer for Arkansas students so we're just a recommending and encouraging people of all faiths to pray for our schools for students pray for safety in schools pray for the education of our students pray for patience for teachers and administrators and all the stress they have to deal with that concludes our presentation I'll answer any questions. Seeing no questions having no one but Tony to sign a. We have Tony road that's here to stay to speak of for this and we would not want to. Go without hearing from our. You state your name and who you're with please my name is Tony road I'm state director for the congressional prayer caucus foundation and we received an alert that the freedom from religion foundation was mounting a campaign against this bill so we wanted to come in and show our support for it and also. This bill fits in nicely timing wise with the meet me at the poll that you're all familiar with that we already do so our partners which represent millions of other Americans are of prepared to send out letters of support for this particular bill we very much support prayer for our students and we think that this a dovetails nicely with what we already have a plan for the month of September so we would ask for a a good vote on this and thank you very much legislature for all you've done to support religious freedom in Arkansas thank you very much thank you for your testimony was will committee. Your would you like clothes for your bill up for. Are you closing close all right we'll committees do pass as he broke the Maddox his hand up down there all of favour say aye. He opposed no. We're Jr thank you.