AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
*CJW016* 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

State of Arkansas As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 1
95th General Assembly A Bill 2
Fiscal Session, 2026 HOUSE BILL 1036 3
4
By: Joint Budget Committee 5
6
7
For An Act To Be Entitled 8
AN ACT TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION FOR PERSONAL SERVICES 9
AND OPERATING EXPENSES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 10
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2027; AND FOR 11
OTHER PURPOSES. 12
13
14
Subtitle 15
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 16
APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL 17
YEAR. 18
19
20
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 21
22
SECTION 1. REGULAR SALARIES - SHARED SERVICES. There is hereby 23
established for the Department of Health - Shared Services for the 2026-2027 24
fiscal year, the following maximum number of regular employees. 25
26
Maximum Annual 27
Maximum Salary Rate 28
Item Class No. of Fiscal Year 29
No. Code Title Employees 2026-2027 30
(1) ESE07A SECRETARY OF HEALTH 1 GRADE EXE04 31
MAX. NO. OF EMPLOYEES 1 32
33
SECTION 2. EXTRA HELP - SHARED SERVICES. There is hereby authorized, 34
for the Department of Health for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the following 35
maximum number of part-time or temporary employees, to be known as "Extra 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

2 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

Help", payable from funds appropriated herein for such purposes: seven (7) 1
temporary or part-time employees, when needed, at rates of pay not to exceed 2
those provided in the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act, or its 3
successor, or this act for the appropriate classification. 4
5
SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION - SHARED SERVICES PAYING ACCOUNT. There is 6
hereby appropriated, to the Department of Health, to be payable from the 7
paying account as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, for 8
personal services and operating expenses of the Department of Health - Shared 9
Services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following: 10
11
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 12
NO. 2026-2027 13
(01) REGULAR SALARIES $225,306 14
(02) EXTRA HELP 132,867 15
(03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 67,328 16
(04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 17
(A) OPER. EXPENSE 0 18
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 0 19
(C) PROF. FEES 0 20
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 0 21
(E) DATA PROC. 0 22
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $425,501 23
24
SECTION 4. REGULAR SALARIES - OPERATIONS. There is hereby established 25
for the Department of Health for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the following 26
maximum number of regular employees. 27
28
Maximum Annual 29
Maximum Salary Rate 30
Item Class No. of Fiscal Year 31
No. Code Title Employees 2026-2027 32
(1) EEX21A HEALTH DEPUTY DIRECTOR 3 GRADE EXE02 33
(2) EEX10A CHIEF OF STAFF II 1 GRADE EXE02 34
(3) FAC09C CHIEF FISCAL OFFICER II 1 GRADE SPC10 35
(4) LAT08C CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL I 1 GRADE SPC10 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

3 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

(5) MHS03C STATE HEALTH SCIENTIST 2 GRADE SPC10 1
(6) PHP06C HEALTH PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR 7 GRADE SPC09 2
(7) LAT01C ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE 2 GRADE SPC08 3
(8) HDH03C HR ADMINISTRATOR II 1 GRADE SPC08 4
(9) LAT05P ATTORNEY III 3 GRADE SPC08 5
(10) CPR02C CHIEF OF COMMUNICATIONS II 1 GRADE SPC07 6
(11) SEN04C MANAGING ENGINEER 2 GRADE SPC07 7
(12) FAC10C CONTROLLER 1 GRADE SPC06 8
(13) SEP02C EPIDEMIOLOGY MANAGER 11 GRADE SPC06 9
(14) PHP04C HEALTH CENTER MANAGER 9 GRADE SPC06 10
(15) SEN02P ENGINEER SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 7 GRADE SPC06 11
(16) CPR03C GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS SPECIALIST 1 GRADE SPC05 12
(17) PHS06C HEALTH PROGRAM MANAGER 17 GRADE SPC05 13
(18) LAT04P ATTORNEY II 1 GRADE SPC05 14
(19) SEP03P EPIDEMIOLOGY SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 10 GRADE SPC05 15
(20) SEN05P PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER 5 GRADE SPC05 16
(21) PHP03C HEALTH BRANCH MANAGER 16 GRADE SPC04 17
(22) FAC05P ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 2 GRADE SPC04 18
(23) SEP01P EPIDEMIOLOGIST 39 GRADE SPC04 19
(24) MHS02P RADIOLOGICAL PROGRAM SUPV/EXPERT 1 GRADE SPC04 20
(25) PHP05C HEALTH DISTRICT MANAGER 7 GRADE SPC03 21
(26) PHP09C PUBLIC HEALTH SECTION CHIEF 19 GRADE SPC03 22
(27) SEN01P ENGINEER 11 GRADE SPC03 23
(28) SLA03P LABORATORY SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 14 GRADE SPC03 24
(29) SGE05P PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGIST 2 GRADE SPC03 25
(30) PHS02I CERTIFIED TUMOR REGISTRAR 1 GRADE SPC02 26
(31) FAC02P ACCOUNTANT II 8 GRADE SPC02 27
(32) FAU04P AUDITOR II 2 GRADE SPC02 28
(33) SBI02P BIOLOGIST II 29 GRADE SPC02 29
(34) SCH02P CHEMIST II 15 GRADE SPC02 30
(35) SPH02P PHYSICIST SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 1 GRADE SPC02 31
(36) MHS01P RADIOLOGICAL PROGRAM SPECIALIST 4 GRADE SPC02 32
(37) FAC01P ACCOUNTANT I 4 GRADE SPC01 33
(38) SBI01P BIOLOGIST I 25 GRADE SPC01 34
(39) SCH01P CHEMIST I 13 GRADE SPC01 35
(40) SPH01P PHYSICIST 7 GRADE SPC01 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

4 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

(41) FFS03C FISCAL SUPPORT MANAGER 4 GRADE SGS09 1
(42) PHS09C HEALTH UNIT ADMINISTRATOR 17 GRADE SGS09 2
(43) PQA02C QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER 2 GRADE SGS09 3
(44) IEH03P ENVIRON. HEALTH INSP. SUPV/EXPERT 6 GRADE SGS09 4
(45) FBU02C BUDGET MANAGER 12 GRADE SGS08 5
(46) IEH02P ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSPECTOR II 26 GRADE SGS08 6
(47) PHS08P HEALTH PROGRAM SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 48 GRADE SGS08 7
(48) PHS10P HEALTH UNIT SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 20 GRADE SGS08 8
(49) HDH08P HR SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 4 GRADE SGS08 9
(50) PPR05P PROCUREMENT SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 1 GRADE SGS08 10
(51) FGM03C GRANTS MANAGER 5 GRADE SGS07 11
(52) PAS08I EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT 3 GRADE SGS07 12
(53) FBU01P BUDGET ANALYST 24 GRADE SGS07 13
(54) PDA01P DATA/RESEARCH ANALYST 4 GRADE SGS07 14
(55) IEH01P ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSPECTOR I 118 GRADE SGS07 15
(56) FFS05P FISCAL SUPPORT SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 5 GRADE SGS07 16
(57) CME03P GRAPHIC ARTIST 1 GRADE SGS07 17
(58) PHS05P HEALTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR 87 GRADE SGS07 18
(59) HDH05P HR COORDINATOR 15 GRADE SGS07 19
(60) IIN05P INSPECTOR SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 1 GRADE SGS07 20
(61) CPR05P PUBLIC INFORMATION COORDINATOR 2 GRADE SGS07 21
(62) PQA01P QUALITY ASSURANCE COORDINATOR 1 GRADE SGS07 22
(63) TST05P SKILLED TRADESMAN SUPV/EXPERT 1 GRADE SGS07 23
(64) SCM12P SUICIDE PREVENTION SUPV/EXPERT 2 GRADE SGS07 24
(65) CTR02P TRAINER 6 GRADE SGS07 25
(66) ILS03I LEGAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST 2 GRADE SGS06 26
(67) PHS03P CONSUMER SCIENCE SPECIALIST 28 GRADE SGS06 27
(68) SIA13P DISPATCHER SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 1 GRADE SGS06 28
(69) EEP05P EDUCATION PROGRAM SPECIALIST 3 GRADE SGS06 29
(70) FFS02P FISCAL SUPPORT COORDINATOR 4 GRADE SGS06 30
(71) PHS07P HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST 104 GRADE SGS06 31
(72) IIN03P INSPECTOR III 13 GRADE SGS06 32
(73) SLA04P LABORATORY TECHNICIAN I 14 GRADE SGS06 33
(74) TMA04P MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 1 GRADE SGS06 34
(75) CPR07P PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST 2 GRADE SGS06 35
(76) PQA03P QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST 2 GRADE SGS06 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

5 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

(77) TST04P SKILLED TRADESMAN 6 GRADE SGS06 1
(78) SSP16P SOCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST 1 GRADE SGS06 2
(79) SCM11P SUICIDE PREVENTION SPECIALIST 7 GRADE SGS06 3
(80) TAT03I ENGINEERING SPECIALIST 8 GRADE SGS05 4
(81) PAS01P ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST 372 GRADE SGS05 5
(82) FBU03P BUDGET SPECIALIST 10 GRADE SGS05 6
(83) SIA12P DISPATCHER 6 GRADE SGS05 7
(84) FGM02P GRANTS COORDINATOR 8 GRADE SGS05 8
(85) PHS04P HEALTH EDUCATOR 7 GRADE SGS05 9
(86) IIN02P INSPECTOR II 6 GRADE SGS05 10
(87) TIW04P INVENTORY SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 3 GRADE SGS05 11
(88) FFS06P MEDICAL BILLING SPECIALIST 10 GRADE SGS05 12
(89) PPR04P PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST 5 GRADE SGS05 13
(90) PPE02P PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I 1 GRADE SGS05 14
(91) THT03I LACTATION SPECIALIST 12 GRADE SGS04 15
(92) PAS02P ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR 95 GRADE SGS04 16
(93) HBE01P BENEFITS ANALYST 1 GRADE SGS04 17
(94) FFS04P FISCAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST 36 GRADE SGS04 18
(95) FGM01P GRANTS ANALYST 6 GRADE SGS04 19
(96) HDH07P HR SPECIALIST 7 GRADE SGS04 20
(97) IIN01P INSPECTOR I 6 GRADE SGS04 21
(98) TMA03P MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST 1 GRADE SGS04 22
(99) TST07P TRADES SPECIALIST 2 GRADE SGS04 23
(100) TIW03P INVENTORY SPECIALIST 21 GRADE SGS03 24
(101) TMA05P MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN 3 GRADE SGS03 25
(102) PAS03P ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST 43 GRADE SGS02 26
(103) PRC01P HEALTH AIDE 5 GRADE SGS01 27
(104) MHA04C STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR 1 GRADE MED16 28
(105) MPH04P PHYSICIAN SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 2 GRADE MED14 29
(106) MPH02P PHYSICAN SPECIALIST 3 GRADE MED12 30
(107) MPA04C PHARMACY MANAGER 1 GRADE MED10 31
(108) MDE01I DENTIST 1 GRADE MED09 32
(109) MPA01P PHARMACIST 4 GRADE MED09 33
(110) MPA03P PHARMACY INSPECTOR 2 GRADE MED09 34
(111) MNU05C NURSING ADMINISTRATOR 2 GRADE MED08 35
(112) MNU04P NURSE PRACTITIONER 32 GRADE MED08 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

6 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

(113) MVE02P VETERINARIAN 1 GRADE MED08 1
(114) MNU07C REGISTERED NURSE MANAGER 10 GRADE MED07 2
(115) MDI02P DIETICIAN SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 8 GRADE MED06 3
(116) MNU03P NURSE INSTRUCTOR 1 GRADE MED06 4
(117) MNU08P REG. NURSE SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 36 GRADE MED06 5
(118) MDI03P REGISTERED DIETICIAN 9 GRADE MED05 6
(119) MNU06P REGISTERED NURSE 317 GRADE MED05 7
(120) MDI01P DIETICIAN 20 GRADE MED03 8
(121) PHS01P CERTIFIED HEALTH EDUCATOR 2 GRADE MED02 9
(122) MNU01P LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE 57 GRADE MED02 10
(123) IIA02C CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER II 1 GRADE IST12 11
(124) IIS08C IT INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGER 3 GRADE IST11 12
(125) IIS10C IT INFRASTRUCTURE SUPV/EXPERT 4 GRADE IST10 13
(126) IIS06P IT INFRASTRUCTURE COORDINATOR 6 GRADE IST08 14
(127) IIE06P IT SECURITY SUPERVISOR 1 GRADE IST08 15
(128) IAS01P APPLICATIONS ANALYST I 5 GRADE IST07 16
(129) IDN01P DATA ANALYST 4 GRADE IST07 17
(130) IDM02P DATABASE ANALYST 2 GRADE IST07 18
(131) IAS04P APPLICATIONS DEVELOPER I 1 GRADE IST06 19
(132) IIS04P IT INFRASTRUCTURE ANALYST 21 GRADE IST06 20
(133) IIE02P IT SECURITY ANALYST I 1 GRADE IST06 21
(134) IUS05P USER SUPPORT SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 3 GRADE IST06 22
(135) IAS08I WEBSITE SPECIALIST 1 GRADE IST05 23
(136) IGI01P GIS ANALYST 3 GRADE IST05 24
(137) IUS02P USER SUPPORT COORDINATOR 2 GRADE IST05 25
(138) IIS09P IT INFRASTRUCTURE SPECIALIST 1 GRADE IST04 26
(139) IUS01P USER SUPPORT ANALYST 34 GRADE IST04 27
(140) IUS04P USER SUPPORT SPECIALIST 16 GRADE IST02 28
(141) HDH04P HR ANALYST 1 GRADE SGS06 29
(142) IIP01P IT PROJECT COORDINATOR 1 GRADE IST06 30
MAX. NO. OF EMPLOYEES 2,203 31
32
SECTION 5. REGULAR SALARIES - TRAUMA SYSTEM. There is hereby 33
established for the Department of Health - Trauma System for the 2026-2027 34
fiscal year, the following maximum number of regular employees. 35
36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

7 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

Maximum Annual 1
Maximum Salary Rate 2
Item Class No. of Fiscal Year 3
No. Code Title Employees 2026-2027 4
(1) PHP03C HEALTH BRANCH MANAGER 1 GRADE SPC04 5
(2) SEP01P EPIDEMIOLOGIST 1 GRADE SPC04 6
(3) PHP09C PUBLIC HEALTH SECTION CHIEF 1 GRADE SPC03 7
(4) FBU01P BUDGET ANALYST 1 GRADE SGS07 8
(5) PDA01P DATA/RESEARCH ANALYST 1 GRADE SGS07 9
(6) FGM02P GRANTS COORDINATOR 1 GRADE SGS05 10
(7) PHS04P HEALTH EDUCATOR 1 GRADE SGS05 11
(8) PAS02P ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR 1 GRADE SGS04 12
(9) FGM01P GRANTS ANALYST 2 GRADE SGS04 13
(10) PAS03P ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST 2 GRADE SGS02 14
(11) MPH04P PHYSICIAN SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 1 GRADE MED14 15
(12) MNU08P REG. NURSE SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 1 GRADE MED06 16
(13) MNU06P REGISTERED NURSE 3 GRADE MED05 17
(14) IIS06P IT INFRASTRUCTURE COORDINATOR 1 GRADE IST08 18
MAX. NO. OF EMPLOYEES 18 19
20
SECTION 6. EXTRA HELP - OPERATIONS. There is hereby authorized, for 21
the Department of Health - Operations for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the 22
following maximum number of part-time or temporary employees, to be known as 23
"Extra Help", payable from funds appropriated herein for such purposes: two 24
hundred twenty-two (222) temporary or part-time employees, when needed, at 25
rates of pay not to exceed those provided in the Uniform Classification and 26
Compensation Act, or its successor, or this act for the appropriate 27
classification. 28
29
SECTION 7. EXTRA HELP - TRAUMA SYSTEM. There is hereby authorized, for 30
the Department of Health - Trauma System for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the 31
following maximum number of part-time or temporary employees, to be known as 32
"Extra Help", payable from funds appropriated herein for such purposes: two 33
(2) temporary or part-time employees, when needed, at rates of pay not to 34
exceed those provided in the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act, or 35
its successor, or this act for the appropriate classification. 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

8 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

1
SECTION 8. APPROPRIATION - OPERATIONS. There is hereby appropriated, 2
to the Department of Health, to be payable from the paying account as 3
determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, for personal services 4
and operating expenses, grants and aid, and refunds and reimbursements of the 5
Department of Health for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following: 6
7
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 8
NO. 2026-2027 9
(01) REGULAR SALARIES $121,993,010 10
(02) EXTRA HELP 1,965,813 11
(03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 44,531,278 12
(04) OVERTIME 111,500 13
(05) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 14
(A) OPER. EXPENSE 83,773,484 15
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 796,026 16
(C) PROF. FEES 13,625,581 17
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 1,138,925 18
(E) DATA PROC. 0 19
(06) ADH GRANTS & AID 22,283,487 20
(07) REFUNDS/REIMBURSEMENTS 7,613 21
(08) KIDNEY DISEASE PROGRAM 850,441 22
(09) BREAST CARE PROGRAM 8,039,563 23
(10) INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONTROL 30,000,000 24
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $329,116,721 25
26
SECTION 9. APPROPRIATION - TRAUMA SYSTEM. There is hereby 27
appropriated, to the Department of Health, to be payable from the Public 28
Health Fund, for personal services and operating expenses of the Department 29
of Health - Trauma System for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the 30
following: 31
32
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 33
NO. 2026-2027 34
(01) REGULAR SALARIES $1,098,207 35
(02) EXTRA HELP 75,000 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

9 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

(03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 400,556 1
(04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 2
(A) OPER. EXPENSE 355,545 3
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 50,000 4
(C) PROF. FEES 0 5
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 0 6
(E) DATA PROC. 0 7
(05) TRAUMA SYSTEM EXPENSES 24,237,291 8
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $26,216,599 9
10
SECTION 10. APPROPRIATION - HEALTH BUILDING AND LOCAL HEALTH GRANT 11
TRUST. There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Health, to be 12
payable from the State Health Building and Local Grant Trust Fund, for 13
acquisition, construction, and improvement of the State Health Building and 14
grants to local health units for construction, expansion and renovation by 15
the Department of Health - Health Building and Local Health Grant Trust for 16
the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following: 17
18
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 19
NO. 2026-2027 20
(01) HEALTH BUILDING ACQUISITION, 21
CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION & GRANTS TO 22
LOCAL HEALTH UNITS $1,950,000 23
(02) CONSTRUCTION 7,000,000 24
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $8,950,000 25
26
SECTION 11. APPROPRIATION - EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. There is 27
hereby appropriated, to the Department of Health, to be payable from the 28
Emergency Medical Services Revolving Fund, for Emergency Medical Services 29
operating expenses and grants to licensed Emergency Medical Services as 30
provided by law by the Department of Health - Emergency Medical Services for 31
the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following: 32
33
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 34
NO. 2026-2027 35
(01) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

10 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

(A) OPER. EXPENSE $60,000 1
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 0 2
(C) PROF. FEES 0 3
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 0 4
(E) DATA PROC. 0 5
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $60,000 6
7
SECTION 12. APPROPRIATION - WIC FOOD INSTRUMENTS - CASH. There is 8
hereby appropriated, to the Department of Health, to be payable from the cash 9
funds as defined by Arkansas Code 19-4-801, for Women, Infant, and Children's 10
Food Instruments of the Department of Health - WIC Food Instruments - Cash 11
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following: 12
13
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 14
NO. 2026-2027 15
(01) WIC FOOD INSTRUMENTS $60,000,000 16
17
SECTION 13. APPROPRIATION - INTERPRETERS FOR DEAF AND HEARING IMPAIRED. 18
There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Health, to be payable from 19
the Interpreters between Hearing Individuals and Individuals who are Deaf, 20
Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, or Oral Deaf Fund, for expenses of the Advisory 21
Board for Interpreters between Hearing Individuals and Individuals who are 22
Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, or Oral Deaf of the Department of Health 23
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following: 24
25
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 26
NO. 2026-2027 27
(01) ADVISORY BOARD EXPENSES $25,000 28
29
SECTION 14. APPROPRIATION - FULL INDEPENDENT PRACTICE CREDENTIALING. 30
There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Health, to be payable from 31
the cash fund deposited in the State Treasury as determined by the Chief 32
Fiscal Officer of the State, for the payment of personal services, operating 33
expenses, and for the payment of mileage and per diem of committee members 34
for attendance at meetings, briefings, and hearings of the Department of 35
Health - Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee for the fiscal 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

11 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

year ending June 30, 2027, the following: 1
2
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 3
NO. 2026-2027 4
(01) FULL INDEPENDENT PRACTICE 5
CREDENTIALING COMMITTEE $350,000 6
7
SECTION 15. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 8
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. PARKING 9
FEES. On July 1 of each year the Arkansas Department of Health shall pay 10
$50,000 from the Operations appropriation provided herein from non-general 11
revenue to War Memorial. 12
The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025 13
2026 through June 30, 2026 2027. 14
15
SECTION 16. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 16
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. INDIRECT 17
COST ALLOCATION FUND TRANSFERS. Subject to such procedures as may be 18
implemented by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, the disbursing officer 19
for the Arkansas Department of Health is hereby authorized to transfer funds 20
to the Public Health Fund from other program funds of the agency in order to 21
reimburse for expenditures incurred for those 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 17. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 26
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. CARRY 27
FORWARD OF FUNDS. 28
(a) Except as authorized in subsection (c) of this section, the 29
Department of Health is authorized to carry forward any unspent funds 30
remaining in the Public Health Fund on June 30, 2025 2026 allocated for the 31
support of the Trauma System to be used for the same purposes in the next 32
fiscal year. 33
(b) Any carry forward of unexpended balance of funding as authorized 34
herein, may be carried forward under the following conditions: 35
(1) Prior to June 30, 2026 2027, the agency shall by written 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

12 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

statement set forth its reason(s) for the need to carry forward said funding 1
to the Office of Budget of the Department of Finance and Administration; 2
(2) The Office of Budget of the Department of Finance and 3
Administration shall report to the Legislative Council all amounts carried 4
forward by the September meeting of the Legislative Council or the Joint 5
Budget Committee meeting which report shall include the name of the agency, 6
board, commission, or institution and the amount of funding carried forward, 7
the program name or line item, the funding source and a copy of the written 8
request set forth in subdivision (b)(1) of this section; 9
(3) Each agency, board, commission, or institution shall provide 10
a written report to the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee 11
containing all information set forth in subdivision (b)(2) of this section, 12
along with a written statement as to the current status of the project, 13
contract, purpose, etc., for which the carry forward was originally requested 14
no later than thirty (30) days prior to the time the agency, board, 15
commission, or institution presents its budget request to the Legislative 16
Council or Joint Budget Committee, or both; and 17
(4) Thereupon, the Department of Finance and Administration 18
shall include all information obtained in subdivision (b)(3) of this section 19
in the budget manuals or a statement of non-compliance by the agency, board, 20
commission, or institution, or both. 21
(c) The Department of Health is authorized to transfer up to three 22
million seven hundred thousand dollars ($3,700,000) in carry forward funds to 23
be used in the next fiscal year at the discretion of the Director of the 24
Department of Health to: 25
(1) Enhance and integrate an emergency management system to 26
include trauma, stroke, and myocardial infarction; and 27
(2) Provide long acting reversible contraceptives through 28
services provided by the Department of Health local health units. 29
The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025 30
2026 through June 30, 2026 2027. 31
32
SECTION 18. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 33
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. BREAST 34
CARE PROGRAM. The Arkansas Department of Health shall annually budget, 35
allocate, and expend for the Breast Care Program as appropriated in the 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

13 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

Operations Section in this Act, the sum of at least four million seven 1
hundred fifty-five thousand dollars ($4,755,000) for Breast Cancer screening, 2
diagnosis, treatment and outreach expenses of the Breast Care Program. 3
The Arkansas Department of Health shall file an annual progress report by 4
each January 1 preceding a session of the General Assembly to the Co-Chairs 5
of the House and Senate Public Health Committee. This report shall include 6
amounts budgeted, allocated and expended for the Breast Care Program for 7
testing, diagnosis, treatment and outreach expenses. 8
The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025 9
2026 through June 30, 2026 2027. 10
11
SECTION 19. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 12
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. SHARED 13
SERVICES. (a)(1) The Chief Fiscal Officer of the State may create a Shared 14
Services paying accounts on his or her books and on the books of the 15
Treasurer of State and the Auditor of State for the payment of personal 16
services and operating expenses in the Shared Services Paying Account 17
Appropriation by the Department of Health. 18
(2) The Chief Fiscal Officer of the State shall direct the 19
transfer of funds and appropriations to the Shared Services Paying Account 20
appropriation section of this act on the books of the Treasurer of State, the 21
Auditor of State, and the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State. 22
(3) The transfer authority provided to the department in 23
subdivision (a)(2) of this section may be used to make transfers only within 24
the department's appropriation act or between other appropriation acts 25
authorized for the department. 26
(4) The provisions of this section shall be in effect from the 27
date of passage through June 30, 2026 2027. 28
29
SECTION 20. Arkansas Code § 5-27-205(c), concerning an affirmative 30
defense to prosecution for the crime of endangering the welfare of a minor in 31
the first degree, is amended to read as follows: 32
(c)(1) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this section 33
that a parent voluntarily delivered a child to and left the child with or in, 34
or voluntarily arranged for another person to deliver a child to and leave 35
the child with or in, a medical provider, law enforcement agency, emergency 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

14 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

medical services provider, fire department, or a newborn safety device as 1
provided in § 9-34-201 et seq. 2
(2)(A) Subdivision (c)(1) of this section does not create a 3
defense to any prosecution arising from any conduct other than the act of 4
delivering a child as described in subdivision (c)(1) of this section. 5
(B) Subdivision (c)(1) of this section specifically does 6
not constitute a defense to any prosecution arising from an act of abuse or 7
neglect committed before the delivery of a child to a medical provider, law 8
enforcement agency, emergency medical services provider, fire department, or 9
a newborn safety device as provided in § 9-34-201 et seq. 10
11
SECTION 21. Arkansas Code § 9-34-201, concerning definitions regarding 12
the voluntary delivery of a child to a medical provider, law enforcement 13
agency, fire department, or newborn safety device, is amended to add an 14
additional subdivision to read as follows: 15
(4) "Emergency medical services provider" means: 16
(A) An entity or individual licensed to provide emergency 17
medical services, including without limitation an ambulance service provider; 18
and 19
(B) That is staffed twenty-four (24) hours per day. 20
21
SECTION 22. Arkansas Code § 9-34-202 is amended to read as follows: 22
9-34-202. Delivery to medical provider, law enforcement agency, 23
emergency medical services provider, fire department, or in newborn safety 24
device. 25
(a) Any medical provider, law enforcement agency, emergency medical 26
services provider, or fire department shall take possession of a child who is 27
thirty (30) days old or younger without a court order if the parent of the 28
child, without expressing an intent to return for the child, leaves the 29
child: 30
(1) With or voluntarily delivers the child to the medical 31
provider, law enforcement agency, emergency medical services provider, or 32
fire department, including without limitation when a parent leaves a newborn 33
child with a medical provider staff member after delivery of the newborn 34
child; or 35
(2) In a newborn safety device that is: 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

15 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

(A) Voluntarily installed by the medical provider, law 1
enforcement agency, emergency medical services provider, or fire department; 2
(B) Physically located on a structured wall of or inside a 3
hospital, law enforcement agency, emergency medical services provider 4
station, or fire department; and 5
(C) Located in an area that is conspicuous and visible to 6
the employees of the hospital, law enforcement agency, emergency medical 7
services provider, or fire department. 8
(b)(1) A medical provider, law enforcement agency, emergency medical 9
services provider, or fire department that takes possession of a child under 10
subsection (a) of this section shall perform any act necessary to protect the 11
physical health and safety of the child. 12
(2) A medical provider, law enforcement agency, emergency 13
medical services provider, or fire department shall: 14
(A) Keep the identity of a parent who relinquishes a child 15
under this section confidential; and 16
(B) Not release or otherwise make the identity of the 17
parent available except to a: 18
(i) Law enforcement agency investigating abuse or 19
neglect of the child that was committed before the child was delivered to the 20
medical provider or, law enforcement agency, or emergency medical services 21
provider; or 22
(ii) Prosecuting attorney pursuing charges against a 23
parent for abuse or neglect of the child that was committed before the child 24
was delivered to the medical provider, law enforcement agency, emergency 25
medical services provider, or fire department. 26
(3)(A) If the identity of a parent or child is released or made 27
known to the Department of Human Services in violation of subdivision (b)(2) 28
of this section, the case shall proceed as a dependency-neglect action as 29
defined under § 9-35-102, but with the same protections from liability as if 30
an anonymous surrender was made under this section. 31
(B)(i) If the child is relinquished at a location defined 32
in § 9-34-201, the parent shall not be held criminally liable for the 33
relinquishment or have a true finding of maltreatment or abandonment entered 34
against the parent if the parent's identity is known and the Department of 35
Human Services proceeds under § 9-35-325. 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

16 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

(ii) The Department of Human Services shall not 1
subsequently use a resulting termination of parental rights against a parent 2
who surrendered his or her child under this section. 3
(c) A medical provider, law enforcement agency, emergency medical 4
services provider, or fire department shall: 5
(1) Not be held criminally or civilly liable for any good faith 6
acts or omissions performed under this section; and 7
(2) Have an affirmative defense against any civil or criminal 8
claim arising out of any act or omission performed under this section. 9
(d)(1) A medical provider, law enforcement agency, emergency medical 10
services provider, or fire department other than a volunteer fire department 11
that voluntarily installs a newborn safety device shall: 12
(A) Be responsible for the cost of the installation; and 13
(B) Install an adequate dual alarm system connected to the 14
physical location of the newborn safety device that is: 15
(i) Tested at least one (1) time per week to ensure 16
the alarm system is in working order; and 17
(ii) Visually checked at least two (2) times per day 18
to ensure the alarm system is in working order. 19
(2) A volunteer fire department may install a newborn safety 20
device if: 21
(A) The volunteer fire department complies with 22
subdivision (d)(1) of this section; 23
(B) The first responders at the volunteer fire department 24
are able to respond to the placement of an infant in the newborn safety 25
device within the shorter of the following: 26
(i) The response time established by the county in 27
which the volunteer fire department is located; or 28
(ii) A time frame not to exceed four (4) minutes; 29
and 30
(C) The newborn safety device is: 31
(i) Located within one (1) mile of a medical 32
provider or law enforcement agency; and 33
(ii) Equipped with: 34
(a) An alert system that, when the newborn 35
safety device is opened, automatically connects to the 911 system and 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

17 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

transmits a request for immediate dispatch of an emergency medical services 1
provider to the location of the newborn safety device; and 2
(b) A video surveillance system that allows 3
members of the volunteer fire department to monitor the inside of the newborn 4
safety device twenty-four (24) hours per day and that: 5
(1) Has at least two (2) firefighters 6
who are responsible for monitoring the inside of the newborn safety device 7
twenty-four (24) hours per day; and 8
(2) Is a surveillance system independent 9
from the alert system described in subdivision (d)(2)(C)(ii)(a) of this 10
section. 11
12
SECTION 23. Arkansas Code § 9-34-203(a), concerning the care and 13
permanency plan of a child voluntarily delivered to a medical provider, law 14
enforcement agency, emergency medical services provider, fire department, or 15
newborn safety device, is amended to read as follows: 16
(a) Upon delivery of the child to a medical provider, law enforcement 17
agency, emergency medical services provider, or fire department, the law 18
enforcement officer, an appropriate employee of the fire department, an 19
appropriate employee of the emergency medical services provider, or an 20
appropriate employee of the hospital shall take the child into protective 21
custody for seventy-two (72) hours under the Child Maltreatment Act, § 12-18-22
101 et seq. 23
24
SECTION 24. Arkansas Code § 9-34-203(b)(1), concerning the care and 25
permanency plan of a child voluntarily delivered to a medical provider, law 26
enforcement agency, emergency medical services provider, fire department, or 27
newborn safety device, is amended to read as follows: 28
(b)(1) The law enforcement officer, employee of the fire department, 29
employee of the emergency medical services provider, or employee of the 30
hospital shall immediately notify the Division of Children and Family 31
Services, which shall initiate a dependency-neglect petition under the 32
Arkansas Juvenile Code, § 9-35-101 et seq., and shall proceed under § 9-35-33
325. 34
35
SECTION 25. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS. Disbursement of funds 36
As Engrossed: H4/21/26 H4/27/26 HB1036

18 04-27-2026 16:24:42 CJW016

authorized by this act shall be limited to the appropriation for such agency 1
and funds made available by law for the support of such appropriations; and 2
the restrictions of the State Procurement Law, the General Accounting and 3
Budgetary Procedures Law, the Revenue Stabilization Law, the Regular Salary 4
Procedures and Restrictions Act, or their successors, and other fiscal 5
control laws of this State, where applicable, and regulations promulgated by 6
the Department of Finance and Administration, as authorized by law, shall be 7
strictly complied with in disbursement of said funds. 8
9
SECTION 26. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the General 10
Assembly that any funds disbursed under the authority of the appropriations 11
contained in this act shall be in compliance with the stated reasons for 12
which this act was adopted, as evidenced by the Agency Requests, Executive 13
Recommendations and Legislative Recommendations contained in the budget 14
manuals prepared by the Department of Finance and Administration, letters, or 15
summarized oral testimony in the official minutes of the Arkansas Legislative 16
Council or Joint Budget Committee which relate to its passage and adoption. 17
18
SECTION 27. EMERGENCY CLAUSE. It is found and determined by the 19
General Assembly, that the Constitution of the State of Arkansas prohibits 20
the appropriation of funds for more than a one (1) year period; that the 21
effectiveness of this Act on July 1, 2026 is essential to the operation of 22
the agency for which the appropriations in this Act are provided, and that in 23
the event of an extension of the legislative session, the delay in the 24
effective date of this Act beyond July 1, 2026 could work irreparable harm 25
upon the proper administration and provision of essential governmental 26
programs. Therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Act 27
being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health 28
and safety shall be in full force and effect from and after July 1, 2026. 29
30
/s/Joint Budget Committee 31
32
33
34
35
36