§ 21-4-216 - Leave for participation in children's educational activities. - Arkansas Statutes

21-4-216. Leave for participation in children's educational activities.

(a) As used in this section:

(1) "Child" means a person enrolled in prekindergarten through grade 12 (preK-12) who is of the following relation to a state employee:

(A) Natural child;

(B) Adopted child;

(C) Stepchild;

(D) Foster child;

(E) Grandchild;

(F) Ward of the state employee by virtue of the state employee having been appointed the person's legal guardian or custodian; or

(G) Any other legal capacity in which the employee is acting as a parent for the child;

(2) (A) "Educational activity" means any school-sponsored activity.

(B) "Educational activity" includes without limitation:

(i) A parent-teacher conference;

(ii) Participation in school-sponsored tutoring;

(iii) Participation in a school-sponsored volunteer program;

(iv) A field trip;

(v) A classroom program;

(vi) A school committee meeting;

(vii) An academic competition; and

(viii) Assisting with athletic, music, or theater programs;

(3) "State agency" means an agency, a bureau, a board, or a commission of any branch of state government and all state-supported institutions of higher education; and

(4) "State employee" means a full-time employee of the State of Arkansas or any branch, department, board, bureau, commission, or state-supported institution of higher education.

(b) (1) All state employees shall be entitled to eight (8) hours of leave during any one (1) calendar year for the purpose of attending or assisting with the educational activities of a child.

(2) Leave under subdivision (b)(1) of this section:

(A) That is unused may not be carried over to the next calendar year; and

(B) Is not compensable to the state employee at the time of retirement.