A law making it easier for military children when they switch schools is being made permanent in Hawaii.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed legislation Friday that continues Hawaii’s membership in 39-state Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

The law, first enacted in 2009, had been scheduled to expire June 30.

Rep. Mark Takai, a member of the Army Guard, said the law gives military children the same opportunities for educational success as other children.

The law says military children should be quickly enrolled in their new schools, placed in appropriate classes regardless of attendance requirements and be made eligible for extracurricular activities.

It also allows the child of a deployed service member to finish the school year at the school currently enrolled while in the custody of a guardian.