TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SURVIVOR ANNUITY BENEFITS FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN UNDER THE ARKANSAS TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

HB 1157 extends survivor annuity benefits for dependent children of deceased Arkansas teachers from age 18 to age 22, provided the child remains a full-time student in an accredited school. It adds provisions allowing children to maintain benefits during approved educational deferments and reinstates payments after military service if they immediately enroll in school. The bill also clarifies eligibility for children with court-declared disabilities and specifies that benefits pause during active military duty but resume upon returning to school. This directly affects dependent children of Arkansas Teacher Retirement System members who die while active or after retirement. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, to align with the system's fiscal year.