(a)
(1)
(A) A school district shall not deny licensed personnel the opportunity to attend certified instructional staff development sessions conducted by bona fide professional organizations within the state.
(B) Licensed personnel may count up to two (2) days of six (6) hours each of attendance at instructional professional development sessions conducted by bona fide professional organizations toward fulfillment of the ten (10) days of staff development required by the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts, provided the sessions have been certified by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.
(2) The State Board of Education may promulgate rules to implement the certification process for instructional staff development sessions.
(b) This section does not authorize a school district employee to refrain from attending meetings and workshops designed to implement restructuring mandated by the Arkansas Public Education Act of 1997, § 6-15-1001 et seq.