ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

HB 2824: students; community service commendation

Sponsor: Representative Hodge, LD 8

Committee on Government

Overview

Requires the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to establish a community service commendation for students who complete community service as specified.

History

Statute requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to adopt guidelines to encourage high school students to volunteer for 20 hours of community service prior to their graduation. These guidelines must include: 1) a list of general community service categories; 2) a description of how the community service will be monitored; 3) a consideration of risk assessment for community service projects; 4) orientation and notification procedures of community service opportunities for students entering the 9th grade; 5) procedures for a 9th grade student to prepare a written proposal outlining the type of community service they would like to perform and the goals they would like to achieve; and 6) procedures for a school employee designated as the community service program coordinator to evaluate and certify the completion of the community service (A.R.S. § 15-203).

Provisions

1. Instructs ADE, subject to approval by SBE, to establish:

a) a community service commendation for students who complete at least 200 hours of community service consistent with SBE guidelines; and

b) a process for students to apply for the commendation. (Sec. 1)

2. Directs a school district governing board to adopt policies for students who complete at least 200 hours of community service, consistent with SBE guidelines, to apply for a community service commendation. (Sec. 2)

3. Contains a retroactivity clause of January 1, 2024. (Sec. 3)

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7. HB 2824

8. Initials CH Page 0 Government

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