Representative Carolyn Brown introduced HB 15‑45, which would amend the Arkansas Military Child Transition Act (the Purple Star School program) to formalize supports for military‑connected students, provide guidance on advanced enrollment and to recognize efforts to assist transitioning military families. Brown said the law had evolved since 2019 and that Arkansas now is seen as having a robust model supporting military children.

Nut graf: The bill contained multiple provisions — clarifying Purple Star School criteria, permitting excused absences for Gold Star children to attend grief or resilience programs, and establishing facilitator and ambassador roles — that the sponsor said would help families and districts coordinate supports for military connected students.

During the hearing the Arkansas Veterans Coalition and a Gold Star spouse, Sherry Briley, testified in opposition, saying the bill’s current language did not implement the specific changes their delegates had sought and raised concerns that school boards would be asked to adjudicate lists of approved grief‑support organizations without clear criteria. Mark Diggs, speaking for the Veterans Coalition, said the organization had spent months preparing legislative priorities and that earlier versions of the measure addressed the coalition’s concerns but recent changes had not been reviewed with the group.

Brown said she had worked with the Department of Education and the Arkansas School Boards Association and that some veterans’ groups supported the bill. After testimony and committee questions about implementation and whether additional stakeholder input was needed, Brown said she would pull the bill to continue work with stakeholders.

Ending: HB 15‑45 was pulled by the sponsor for further stakeholder engagement; the sponsor asked to reconvene conversations with the Veterans Coalition, Gold Star families and other groups to seek changes that could secure broader support.