SB 21

Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
  Act 149 of the Fiscal Session
1 State of Arkansas  As Engrossed:       S4/21/26 S4/27/26
2 95th General Assembly  A Bill
3 Fiscal Session, 2026  SENATE BILL 21
4
5 By: Joint Budget Committee
6
7
8For An Act To Be Entitled
9AN ACT TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION FOR PERSONAL SERVICES
10AND OPERATING EXPENSES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
11SERVICES - DIVISION OF AGING, ADULT, AND BEHAVIORAL
12HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30,
132027; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
14
15
16Subtitle
17AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
18SERVICES - DIVISION OF AGING, ADULT, AND
19BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES APPROPRIATION
20FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.
21
22
23 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
24
25SECTION 1. REGULAR SALARIES - STATE OPERATIONS.  There is hereby
26 established for the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging, Adult,
27 and Behavioral Health Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the following
28 maximum number of regular employees.
29
30Maximum Annual
31Maximum  Salary Rate
32  Item    Class  No. of  Fiscal Year
33   No.    Code       Title  Employees  2026-2027
34   (1)    EEX22A HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION DIRECTOR  2  GRADE EXE02
35   (2)    SSP03C DHS DIVISION ADMINISTRATOR  3  GRADE SPC09
36   (3)    MHA01C NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR  1  GRADE SPC08
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     As Engrossed:   S4/21/26 S4/27/26  SB21
1  (4)   SSP07C SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR  1  GRADE SPC08
2  (5)   LAT05P ATTORNEY III  1  GRADE SPC08
3  (6)   SSP04C DHS DIVISION MANAGER  7  GRADE SPC07
4  (7)   MHA02C NURSING HOME ASST ADMINISTRATOR       1  GRADE SPC06
5  (8)   PHS06C HEALTH PROGRAM MANAGER  4  GRADE SPC05
6  (9)   SCM03P LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER      14  GRADE SPC03
7 (10)   SCM04P LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER        14  GRADE SPC02
8 (11)   SCM06P LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER  4  GRADE SPC01
9 (12)   FFS03C FISCAL SUPPORT MANAGER  1  GRADE SGS09
10 (13)   TFS03C FOOD SERVICES MANAGER  1  GRADE SGS09
11 (14)   PQA02C QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER  2  GRADE SGS09
12 (15)   SSP15C SOCIAL SERVICES MANAGER  1  GRADE SGS09
13 (16)   PHS08P HEALTH PROGRAM SUPERVISOR/EXPERT     27  GRADE SGS08
14 (17)   TST03P LICENSED TRADESMAN SUPVR/EXPERT       2  GRADE SGS08
15 (18)   CTR04P TRAINING SUPERVISOR/EXPERT  1  GRADE SGS08
16 (19)   TFM02C FACILITY MANAGER  1  GRADE SGS07
17 (20)   SSE02C SECURITY MANAGER  1  GRADE SGS07
18 (21)   PAS08I EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT  1  GRADE SGS07
19 (22)   PDA01P DATA/RESEARCH ANALYST  2  GRADE SGS07
20 (23)   CME03P GRAPHIC ARTIST  1  GRADE SGS07
21 (24)   PHS05P HEALTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR  44  GRADE SGS07
22 (25)   TST02P LICENSED TRADESMAN  3  GRADE SGS07
23 (26)   PPR02P PROCUREMENT COORDINATOR  1  GRADE SGS07
24 (27)   TST05P SKILLED TRADESMAN SUPVR/EXPERT        6  GRADE SGS07
25 (28)   ETF06P TEACHER II  1  GRADE SGS07
26 (29)   SCM01I CHAPLAIN  1  GRADE SGS06
27 (30)   ILS03I LEGAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST  7  GRADE SGS06
28 (31)   PHS07P HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST  46  GRADE SGS06
29 (32)   SLA04P LABORATORY TECHNICIAN I  1  GRADE SGS06
30 (33)   TMA04P MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR/EXPERT  3  GRADE SGS06
31 (34)   PQA03P QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST  1  GRADE SGS06
32 (35)   PAS15P RECORDS SUPERVISOR/EXPERT  1  GRADE SGS06
33 (36)   TST04P SKILLED TRADESMAN  30  GRADE SGS06
34 (37)   SSP16P SOCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST  2  GRADE SGS06
35 (38)   SCM09P SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SPECIALIST     1  GRADE SGS06
36 (39)   ETF05P TEACHER I  3  GRADE SGS06
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1 (40)   TFS04C FOOD SERVICES SUPERVISOR/EXPERT      4  GRADE SGS05
2 (41)   PRC06C RESIDENT. CARE TEAM SUPVR/EXPERT     3  GRADE SGS05
3 (42)   PAS01P ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST  26  GRADE SGS05
4 (43)   PDA02P DATA/RESEARCH SPECIALIST  1  GRADE SGS05
5 (44)   FGM02P GRANTS COORDINATOR  1  GRADE SGS05
6 (45)   IIN02P INSPECTOR II  1  GRADE SGS05
7 (46)   TIW04P INVENTORY SUPERVISOR/EXPERT  4  GRADE SGS05
8 (47)   IIV03P INVESTIGATOR II  3  GRADE SGS05
9 (48)   PPE02P PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I     8  GRADE SGS05
10 (49)   PAS02P ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR  40  GRADE SGS04
11 (50)   FFS04P FISCAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST  3  GRADE SGS04
12 (51)   FGM01P GRANTS ANALYST  3  GRADE SGS04
13 (52)   HDH07P HR SPECIALIST  1  GRADE SGS04
14 (53)   TIW01P INVENTORY COORDINATOR  3  GRADE SGS04
15 (54)   IIV02P INVESTIGATOR I  1  GRADE SGS04
16 (55)   MLM04P PHLEBOTOMIST  2  GRADE SGS04
17 (56)   TST07P TRADES SPECIALIST  4  GRADE SGS04
18 (57)   THT01I CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT        166  GRADE SGS03
19 (58)   EEP01P EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONAL  4  GRADE SGS03
20 (59)   TIW03P INVENTORY SPECIALIST  9  GRADE SGS03
21 (60)   TFS05P KITCHEN SUPERVISOR/EXPERT  8  GRADE SGS03
22 (61)   MPS01P PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATOR  3  GRADE SGS03
23 (62)   SSE01P SECURITY GUARD  61  GRADE SGS03
24 (63)   PAS05I CALL CENTER SPECIALIST  1  GRADE SGS02
25 (64)   THT04I PHARMACY TECHNICIAN  2  GRADE SGS02
26 (65)   PAS03P ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST  14  GRADE SGS02
27 (66)   THO02P HOUSEKEEPER SUPERVISOR/EXPERT        4  GRADE SGS02
28 (67)   TGR01P LANDSCAPE COORDINATOR  2  GRADE SGS02
29 (68)   PRC03P RESIDENTIAL CARE COORDINATOR        59  GRADE SGS02
30 (69)   TAT01I BEAUTICIAN  1  GRADE SGS01
31 (70)   TFS01P COOK  38  GRADE SGS01
32 (71)   PRC01P HEALTH AIDE  2  GRADE SGS01
33 (72)   THO01P HOUSEKEEPER  49  GRADE SGS01
34 (73)   PRC04P RESIDENTIAL CARE SPECIALIST  38  GRADE SGS01
35 (74)   MLM08C STATE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR  1  GRADE MED12
36 (75)   MPA04C PHARMACY MANAGER  1  GRADE MED10
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1 (76)   MPH03P PHYSICIAN  3  GRADE MED10
2 (77)   MDE01I DENTIST  1  GRADE MED09
3 (78)   MPA01P PHARMACIST  2  GRADE MED09
4 (79)   MNU05C NURSING ADMINISTRATOR  1  GRADE MED08
5 (80)   MNU04P NURSE PRACTITIONER  2  GRADE MED08
6 (81)   MLM05C PHYSICAL THERAPIST  1  GRADE MED07
7 (82)   MNU07C REGISTERED NURSE MANAGER  15  GRADE MED07
8 (83)   MLM07C SPEECH PATHOLOGIST  1  GRADE MED07
9 (84)   MNU03P NURSE INSTRUCTOR  1  GRADE MED06
10 (85)   MNU08P REG. NURSE SUPERVISOR/EXPERT  31  GRADE MED06
11 (86)   MDI03P REGISTERED DIETICIAN  1  GRADE MED05
12 (87)   MNU06P REGISTERED NURSE  153  GRADE MED05
13 (88)   MLM06C RESPIRATORY THERAPIST  3  GRADE MED04
14 (89)   MDI01P DIETICIAN  1  GRADE MED03
15 (90)   MNU02P LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE SUPVR/EXP.        9  GRADE MED03
16 (91)   MPS02P PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINER  1  GRADE MED03
17 (92)   MNU01P LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE  85  GRADE MED02
18 (93)   MRE02P REHABILITATION COORDINATOR  3  GRADE MED02
19 (94)   MRE03P REHABILITATION INSTRUCTOR  28  GRADE MED02
20 (95)   SLE02P POLICE OFFICER  24  GRADE LES01
21MAX. NO. OF EMPLOYEES  1,181
22
23SECTION 2. EXTRA HELP - STATE OPERATIONS.   There is hereby authorized,
24 for the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging, Adult, and
25 Behavioral Health Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the following
26 maximum number of part-time or temporary employees, to be known as "Extra
27 Help", payable from funds appropriated herein for such purposes: three
28 hundred forty-seven (347) temporary or part-time employees, when needed, at
29 rates of pay not to exceed those provided in the Uniform Classification and
30 Compensation Act, or its successor, or this act for the appropriate
31 classification.
32
33SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION - STATE OPERATIONS.    There is hereby
34 appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the
35 paying account as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, for
36 personal services and operating expenses of the Department of Human Services
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     As Engrossed:     S4/21/26 S4/27/26  SB21
1 - Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal
2 year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
3
4 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
5  NO.  2026-2027
6 (01)   REGULAR SALARIES  $58,680,049
7 (02)   EXTRA HELP  5,764,305
8 (03)   PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING  24,750,860
9 (04)   OVERTIME  5,712,006
10 (05)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
11(A) OPER. EXPENSE  41,332,158
12(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  182,214
13(C) PROF. FEES  11,460,581
14(D) CAP. OUTLAY  900,000
15(E) DATA PROC.  0
16TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $148,782,173
17
18SECTION 4. APPROPRIATION - AGING AND ADULT SERVICES - OPERATIONS.
19 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be
20 payable from the paying account as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of
21 the State, for operating expenses, grants, and programs for aging and adult
22 services of the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging, Adult, and
23 Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the
24 following:
25
26 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
27  NO.  2026-2027
28 (01)   NURSING HOME CARE ALTERNATIVES  $4,802,025
29 (02)   NUTRITION PROGRAMS  22,790,328
30 (03)   OLDER WORKER PROGRAM  1,052,665
31 (04)   PROJECT GRANTS  17,436,641
32 (05)   RETIRED & SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM  75,000
33 (06)   SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS  10,000,000
34TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $56,156,659
35
36SECTION 5. APPROPRIATION - COMMUNITY ALCOHOL SAFETY OPERATIONS.   There
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     As Engrossed:   S4/21/26 S4/27/26  SB21
1 is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable
2 from the Highway Safety Special Fund, for grant payments of the Department of
3 Human Services - Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for
4 the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
5
6 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
7  NO.  2026-2027
8 (01)   COMMUNITY ALCOHOL SAFETY GRANTS AND
9AID  $2,416,834
10
11SECTION 6. APPROPRIATION - PATIENT BENEFITS - CASH.   There is hereby
12 appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the
13 cash fund deposited in the State Treasury as determined by the Chief Fiscal
14 Officer of the State, for benefits of the patients of the Department of Human
15 Services - Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the
16 fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
17
18 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
19  NO.  2026-2027
20 (01)   PATIENT BENEFIT FUND  $70,000
21
22SECTION 7. APPROPRIATION - MENTAL HEALTH GRANTS.   There is hereby
23 appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the
24 paying account as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, for
25 grant payments of the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging,
26 Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year ending June 30,
27 2027, the following:
28
29 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
30  NO.  2026-2027
31 (01)   MENTAL HEALTH GRANTS AND AID  $47,553,171
32
33SECTION 8. APPROPRIATION - ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION.    There is
34 hereby appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from
35 the Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Fund, for education, drug abuse
36 prevention, and treatment services of the Department of Human Services -
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1 Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year
2 ending June 30, 2027, the following:
3
4 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
5  NO.  2026-2027
6 (01)   EDUCATION/PREVENTION/TREATMENT  $49,666,991
7
8SECTION 9. APPROPRIATION - CRISIS SERVICES.    There is hereby
9 appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the
10 Behavioral Health Services Fund Account, for grants and operating expenses
11 related to crisis intervention of the Department of Human Services - Division
12 of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year ending
13 June 30, 2027, the following:
14
15 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
16  NO.  2026-2027
17 (01)   CRISIS SERVICES  $5,000,000
18
19SECTION 10. APPROPRIATION - VETERANS MENTAL HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM.
20 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be
21 payable from the paying account as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of
22 the State, for a grant program to veterans service organizations to support
23 veterans and their families by the Department of Human Services - Division of
24 Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year ending June
25 30, 2027, the following:
26
27 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
28  NO.  2026-2027
29 (01)   VETERANS MENTAL HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM  $5,000,000
30
31SECTION 11. APPROPRIATION - MEALS ON WHEELS.   There is hereby
32 appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the
33 Aging and Adult Services Fund Account, for the Meals on Wheels Program and
34 transportation services for the elderly of the Department of Human Services -
35 Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year
36 ending June 30, 2027, the following:
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     As Engrossed:   S4/21/26 S4/27/26  SB21
1
2 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
3  NO.  2026-2027
4 (01)   TRANSPORTATION SERVICES  $2,400,000
5
6SECTION 12. APPROPRIATION - ARKANSAS SENIOR OLYMPICS.   There is hereby
7 appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the
8 Behavioral Health Services Fund Account, for matching funds for the Arkansas
9 Senior Olympics of the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging,
10 Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year ending June 30,
11 2027, the following:
12
13 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
14  NO.  2026-2027
15 (01)   STATE MATCH  $70,000
16
17SECTION 13. APPROPRIATION - INDEPENDENT CHOICES GRANTS.   There is
18 hereby appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from
19 the paying account as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State,
20 for grant payments of the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging,
21 Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year ending June 30,
22 2027, the following:
23
24 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
25  NO.  2026-2027
26 (01)   INDEPENDENT CHOICES GRANTS AND AID  $400,000
27
28SECTION 14. APPROPRIATION - FIGHT SENIOR HUNGER COMMUNITY GRANT MATCH
29 PROGRAM.   There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Human Services,
30 to be payable from the paying account as determined by the Chief Fiscal
31 Officer of the State, for grant match payments of the Department of Human
32 Services - Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the
33 fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
34
35 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
36  NO.  2026-2027
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     As Engrossed:    S4/21/26 S4/27/26  SB21
1 (01)    FIGHT SENIOR HUNGER GRANT MATCH  $400,000
2
3SECTION 15. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.       NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
4 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
5 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.     Pay rates for physicians and chief psychologists
6 within the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services may
7 include the special allowances available to UAMS physicians and professional
8 faculty as authorized in Arkansas Code. Part of the salaries of such staff
9 will come from the receipt of professional income in the care of patients
10 and/or funds received from federal agencies, foundations and other private
11 sponsors in the support of research. Provided that any such allowance shall
12 not exceed, for any employee, an amount equal to two and one half times the
13 salary authorized by the General Assembly. The specific Division of Aging,
14 Adult, and Behavioral Health Services classifications covered by this
15 language are:
16 Class  Maximum Annual
17 Code    Title  Salary Rate
18 MPH02P PHYSICIAN SPECIALIST  MED12
19 MPH03P PHYSICIAN  MED10
20 MPS04P PSYCHOLOGIST II  MED09
21   Prior to these allowances being made available for an individual, they
22 will be approved by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State and reviewed by the
23 Personnel Committee of the Arkansas Legislative Council or the Joint Budget
24 Committee.
25   The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
26 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
27
28SECTION 16. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.       NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
29 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.  ARKANSAS
30 HEALTH CENTER.     (A) The Department of Human Services shall not close the
31 Arkansas Health Center that provides skilled nursing through specialized
32 services and programs.
33   (B) The Department of Human Services shall continue to accept clients for
34 whom it has determined that skilled nursing and specialized services are
35 needed at the Arkansas Health Center.
36   (C) No funds shall be transferred or reduced from the Arkansas Health
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     As Engrossed:    S4/21/26 S4/27/26  SB21
1 Center, except for use as federal matching funds, below the approved funding
2 level on March 1, 2003 without the prior approval of the Arkansas Legislative
3 Council or the Joint Budget Committee.
4   (D) Determining the maximum amount of appropriation and general revenue
5 funding for a state agency each fiscal year is the prerogative of the General
6 Assembly. This is usually accomplished by delineating such maximums in the
7 appropriation act(s) for a state agency and the general revenue allocations
8 authorized for each fund and fund account by amendment to the Revenue
9 Stabilization law. Further, the General Assembly has determined that the
10 Department of Human Services may operate more efficiently if some flexibility
11 is provided to the Department of Human Services authorizing broad powers
12 under this Section. Therefore, it is both necessary and appropriate that the
13 General Assembly maintain oversight by requiring prior approval of the
14 Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee as provided by this section.
15 The requirement of approval by the Legislative Council or Joint Budget
16 Committee is not a severable part of this section. If the requirement of
17 approval by the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee is ruled
18 unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, this entire section is
19 void.
20   The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
21 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
22
23SECTION 17. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.     NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
24 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
25 EMPLOYMENT WORK DAYS.
26For employees hired on or after July 1, 2013, at the Arkansas State
27 Hospital as either a Teacher II or a Teacher I, the Division of Aging, Adult,
28 and Behavioral Health Services Director shall set the number of work days for
29 the employment year to equal the number of days worked by those employed in
30 the same classifications at the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. The
31 accrual, use, and carryover of sick days, personal days, and holidays of the
32 employees at the Arkansas State Hospital that are hired on or after July 1,
33 2013 shall be treated in the same manner as those employed in the same
34 classifications at the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind.
35All employees affected by this section shall be eligible to
36 receive hazardous duty pay for time worked in eligible areas.
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1  The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
2 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
3
4      SECTION 18. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.        NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
5 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.       CARRY
6 FORWARD - CRISIS SERVICES. Any unexpended balance of funds allocated for
7 Crisis Services in the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging,
8 Adult, and Behavioral Health Services from the Behavioral Health Services
9 Fund Account which remains at the close of each state fiscal year shall be
10 carried forward to the next state fiscal year to be used for the same intent
11 and purposes as set forth in law. Any carry forward of unexpended balance of
12 funding as authorized herein may be carried forward under the following
13 conditions:
14      (1) Prior to June 30, 2025 2026, the Agency shall, by written
15 statement, set forth its reason(s) for the need to carry forward said funding
16 to the Department of Finance and Administration Office of Budget;
17      (2) The Department of Finance and Administration Office of Budget shall
18 report to the Arkansas Legislative Council all amounts carried forward by the
19 September Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee meeting
20 which report shall include the name of the Agency, Board, Commission, or
21 Institution and the amount of the funding carried forward, the program name
22 or line item, the funding source of that appropriation and a copy of the
23 written request set forth in (1) above;
24      (3) Each Agency, Board, Commission, or Institution shall provide a
25 written report to the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee
26 containing all information set forth in item (2) above, along with a written
27 statement as to the current status of the project, contract, purpose, etc.
28 for which the carry forward was originally requested no later than thirty
29 (30) days prior to the time the Agency, Board, Commission, or Institution
30 presents its budget request to the Arkansas Legislative Council/Joint Budget
31 Committee; and
32      (4) Thereupon, the Department of Finance and Administration shall
33 include all information obtained in item (3) above in the budget manuals
34 and/or a statement of non-compliance by the Agency, Board, Commission, or
35 Institution.
36      The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1,
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     As Engrossed:   S4/21/26 S4/27/26  SB21
1 2025 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
2
3      SECTION 19. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.        NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
4 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.       AGING AND
5 ADULT SERVICES - MATCHING FUNDS.     The funds appropriated for state match for
6 the Arkansas Senior Olympics Program in this Act shall be paid on a two-to-
7 one state/local matching basis. The Senior Arkansas Sports Organization must
8 certify its portion of the match to the Division of Aging, Adult, and
9 Behavioral Health Services before any funds appropriated for state match for
10 the Arkansas Senior Olympics Program in this Act are disbursed.
11   The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
12 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
13
14      SECTION 20. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.        NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
15 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.       AGING AND
16 ADULT SERVICES - NURSING HOME CARE ALTERNATIVES.       Funding for "Nursing Home
17 Care Alternatives", as it appears in the Aging and Adult Services -
18 Operations appropriation may be used for home delivered meals, adult day
19 care, homemaker/chore, respite care, personal care, health promotion, and
20 other community-based activities. These funds may also be used to match
21 Medicaid community-based programs.
22   The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
23 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
24
25      SECTION 21. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.        NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
26 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.       SENIOR
27 CITIZEN CENTERS.   The appropriation in this act for Senior Citizen Centers
28 shall be distributed in the same manner as the funding formula requirements
29 set out in the federal Older Americans Act funding law. The additional
30 funding provided by this provision shall supplement and not supplant any
31 monies currently funding services for Senior Citizen Centers.
32   The requirements in this section shall only be implemented in accordance
33 with any necessary approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
34 and in the event that additional general revenue funding is provided by the
35 General Assembly for these purposes. Should additional funding provided for
36 these purposes be insufficient to provide for the increases in full, the
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1 increases shall be provided to the extent that funding is made available.
2   The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
3 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
4
5      SECTION 22. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.       NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
6 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.      CARRY
7 FORWARD OF UNOBLIGATED GENERAL REVENUE FUNDS FOR SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS. (a)
8 On June 30, 2019, or as soon as is practicable to determine funds available
9 as authorized in this Section, and each fiscal year thereafter the Chief
10 Fiscal Officer of the State shall cause to be transferred on his or her books
11 and those of the State Treasurer and Auditor of State the balance of
12 unobligated general revenue funds, excluding funds carried forward for other
13 purposes, remaining in the Fund or Fund Accounts and the corresponding paying
14 accounts as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, as set out
15 in subsection (b) herein, to the Department of Human Services - Division of
16 Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services paying account to be used
17 exclusively for the disbursement of funds for Senior Citizen Centers in the
18 amount of recouped and recovered general revenue not to exceed five hundred
19 thousand dollars ($500,000).
20  (b) Any unobligated general revenue, excluding funds carried forward for
21 other purposes, remaining in the following Fund or Fund Accounts and the
22 corresponding paying accounts at the end of the Fiscal Year that would
23 normally be transferred into the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund as
24 recouped or recovered General Revenue shall be transferred as authorized in
25 subsection (a) herein:
26     (1) Department of Human Services Administration Fund Account;
27     (2) Children and Family Services Fund Account;
28     (3) Youth Services Fund Account;
29     (4) Developmental Disabilities Services Fund Account;
30     (5) Medical Services Fund Account;
31     (6) Behavioral Health Services Fund Account;
32     (7) County Operations Fund Account; and
33     (8) Provider Services and Quality Assurance Fund Account.
34  (c)(1) Any general revenue recouped or recovered as authorized in
35 subsections (a) and (b) herein shall be carried forward to the following
36 fiscal year for Senior Citizen Centers and shall be distributed in the same
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1 manner as the funding formula requirements set out in the federal Older
2 Americans Act funding law.
3      (2) The additional funding provided by this provision shall supplement
4 and not supplant any monies currently funding services for Senior Citizen
5 Centers.
6   (d) Should additional funding provided for in subsections (a) and (b)
7 herein be insufficient to provide for the full five hundred thousand dollars
8 ($500,000) authorized, the increases shall be provided to the extent that
9 general revenue is recouped and carried forward.
10   (e)(1) The Department of Human Services shall provide a written report to
11 the Department of Finance and Administration Budget Office, the Arkansas
12 Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee the total amount of general
13 revenue carried forward and distributed as set forth in this section no later
14 than thirty (30) days prior to the time the Department presents its budget
15 request to the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee.
16      (2) The Department of Finance and Administration shall include all
17 information obtained in subsection (e)(1) herein in the budget manual
18 submitted to the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee for
19 the Department.
20
21      SECTION 23.     SPECIAL LANGUAGE - CODE AMENDMENT.   Arkansas Code § 20-64-
22 903(b), concerning the exemptions to licensure for an alcohol and drug abuse
23 treatment program, is amended to read as follows:
24      (b)   The following programs and persons are exempted from the
25 requirements of this subchapter:
26(1)     Acute care, hospital-based alcohol and drug abuse treatment
27 programs governed by §§ 20-9-201 and 20-10-213;
28(2)     Members of the clergy, Christian Science practitioners, and
29 licensed professionals working within the standards of their respective
30 professions, including without limitation:
31(A)   Attorneys;
32(B)   Counselors;
33(C)   Nurses;
34(D)   Physicians;
35(E)   Psychological examiners;
36(F)   Psychologists;
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1(G)   School counselors; and
2(H)   Social workers;
3(3)    Treatment directly administered by the United States
4 Department of Defense or any other federal agency; and
5(4)    Self-help or twelve-step programs such as Alcoholics
6 Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon, or Nar-Anon
7 Family Groups; and
8(5)    Faith-based treatment and recovery programs for substance
9 abuse.
10
11SECTION 24. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS.       Disbursement of funds
12 authorized by this act shall be limited to the appropriation for such agency
13 and funds made available by law for the support of such appropriations; and
14 the restrictions of the State Procurement Law, the General Accounting and
15 Budgetary Procedures Law, the Revenue Stabilization Law, the Regular Salary
16 Procedures and Restrictions Act, or their successors, and other fiscal
17 control laws of this State, where applicable, and regulations promulgated by
18 the Department of Finance and Administration, as authorized by law, shall be
19 strictly complied with in disbursement of said funds.
20
21SECTION 25. LEGISLATIVE INTENT.      It is the intent of the General
22 Assembly that any funds disbursed under the authority of the appropriations
23 contained in this act shall be in compliance with the stated reasons for
24 which this act was adopted, as evidenced by the Agency Requests, Executive
25 Recommendations and Legislative Recommendations contained in the budget
26 manuals prepared by the Department of Finance and Administration, letters, or
27 summarized oral testimony in the official minutes of the Arkansas Legislative
28 Council or Joint Budget Committee which relate to its passage and adoption.
29
30SECTION 26. EMERGENCY CLAUSE.       It is found and determined by the
31 General Assembly, that the Constitution of the State of Arkansas prohibits
32 the appropriation of funds for more than a one (1) year period; that the
33 effectiveness of this Act on July 1, 2026 is essential to the operation of
34 the agency for which the appropriations in this Act are provided, and that in
35 the event of an extension of the legislative session, the delay in the
36 effective date of this Act beyond July 1, 2026 could work irreparable harm
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1 upon the proper administration and provision of essential governmental
2 programs. Therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Act
3 being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health
4 and safety shall be in full force and effect from and after July 1, 2026.
5
6/s/Joint Budget Committee
7
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9APPROVED: 5/1/26
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