On Wednesday, the House passed HB1910, which serves to assist service members who return to Arkansas find civilian employment in the state. The bill encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Workforce Services to work together to communicate to military members about jobs available and communicate to employers about the skill set that members of the military can bring to the workforce.
The House passed HB1855 which allows a foster parent to requestapproval of DHS to transfer the child to another school district.
And the House passed SB27, which establishes a loan program to help increase the number of teachers in teacher shortage areas. Students would be eligible for a $5,000 loan their junior and senior year if they agree to teach the next 5 years in an area of the state with a teacher shortage. The state would repay 20% of the loan each year for the next 5 years providing they are teaching in the needed district. Currently, the program is not funded. The bill sets up the structure for the program for the day funding becomes available.
The House also passed SB589 which changes the name of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department to the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
The House will reconvene on Monday at 1 p.m.