(a) In recognition of and tribute to veterans who left high school before graduation to serve in the Korean War or the Vietnam War, a board of directors of any school district in Arkansas may grant a diploma of graduation to any veteran meeting the requirements of subsection (c) of this section.
(b) School districts are encouraged to present the diploma in conjunction with appropriate Veterans Day programs.
(c) To be eligible for a high school diploma under this section, a veteran shall:
(1) Have been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces;
(2) Be a resident of the State of Arkansas; and
(3) Have served a minimum of eighteen (18) consecutive months' active duty or have been discharged with a service-connected disability, if:
(A) A veteran of the Korean War who served between June 1, 1950, and January 1, 1954; or
(B) A veteran of the Vietnam War who served between July 3, 1965, and May 15, 1975.
(d)
(1) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section.
(2) The state board shall consult with the Department of Veterans Affairs in developing rules to implement the provisions of this section.