HB1117
Concerning The Administration Of Instruction On Firearm Safety In Public School Districts And Open-enrollment Public Charter Schools.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill mandates that public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools in Arkansas provide annual instruction on firearm safety to students. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission, will determine the earliest appropriate grade for this instruction. This determination will be based on studying data and risk factors related to childhood firearm incidents and susceptibility to harm. The curriculum must be approved by the Division and will cover topics such as what to do if a student finds an unsecured firearm, school safety related to firearms, and the proper handling and storage of firearms. The instruction must present neutral viewpoints, focusing on preventing accidental injury. The Division will not approve curricula that bear a brand or organizational affiliation, except for those issued by the State of Arkansas or its entities. Preferred methods of instruction include videos produced by the Commission, online resources, and optionally, off-campus, Commission-approved firearm safety courses, which may require parental consent if linked to live-fire exercises or sporting events.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill are students enrolled in Arkansas public schools and open-enrollment public charter schools, who would receive formal instruction on firearm safety. The Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission would also benefit by being empowered to collaborate with the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education in developing and approving age-appropriate firearm safety courses. Furthermore, the bill aims to benefit the broader community by potentially reducing accidental firearm injuries among children through increased education.
Who Might Suffer?
Public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools would be directly impacted by the requirement to implement and provide this new annual instruction. This could entail additional administrative burdens, curriculum development or adoption costs, and the need to train educators or integrate external resources. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission would face increased responsibilities in determining the curriculum, approving materials, and overseeing the implementation of the firearm safety education program across all affected schools. Additionally, parents or legal guardians would be impacted if they choose to opt their children into any off-campus, commission-approved firearm safety courses that involve live-fire exercises or sporting events, as their prior written approval would be necessary.