The 2023 Regular Session is now in its 7th week.

On Monday, the House passed HB1153. This bill is titled an Act to Increase Youth Voice Regarding Foster Care Placements and Family Time. It states the court may consider the preferences of the juvenile if the juvenile is of sufficient age and capacity to reason, regardless of the juvenile's chronological age.

The House also passed HB1337. This bill classifies a building or space used for public early childhood education as an academic facility under the Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities Funding Act. It also classifies a safe room for students as an academic facility.

In addition, the House passed HB1329. This bill creates a means by which public school students may substitute comparable elective coursework in career and technical education for required core academic classes.

The House will reconvene on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.