Read the full stored bill text
Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
*LCW083* 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
State of Arkansas As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 1
95th General Assembly A Bill 2
Fiscal Session, 2026 SENATE BILL 21 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 HUMAN 10
SERVICES - DIVISION OF AGING, ADULT, AND BEHAVIORAL 11
HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 12
2027; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 13
14
15
Subtitle 16
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN 17
SERVICES - DIVISION OF AGING, ADULT, AND 18
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES APPROPRIATION 19
FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR. 20
21
22
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 23
24
SECTION 1. REGULAR SALARIES - STATE OPERATIONS. There is hereby 25
established for the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging, Adult, 26
and Behavioral Health Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the following 27
maximum number of regular employees. 28
29
Maximum Annual 30
Maximum Salary Rate 31
Item Class No. of Fiscal Year 32
No. Code Title Employees 2026-2027 33
(1) EEX22A HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION DIRECTOR 2 GRADE EXE02 34
(2) SSP03C DHS DIVISION ADMINISTRATOR 3 GRADE SPC09 35
(3) MHA01C NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR 1 GRADE SPC08 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
2 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
(4) SSP07C SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR 1 GRADE SPC08 1
(5) LAT05P ATTORNEY III 1 GRADE SPC08 2
(6) SSP04C DHS DIVISION MANAGER 7 GRADE SPC07 3
(7) MHA02C NURSING HOME ASST ADMINISTRATOR 1 GRADE SPC06 4
(8) PHS06C HEALTH PROGRAM MANAGER 4 GRADE SPC05 5
(9) SCM03P LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER 14 GRADE SPC03 6
(10) SCM04P LICENSED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER 14 GRADE SPC02 7
(11) SCM06P LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER 4 GRADE SPC01 8
(12) FFS03C FISCAL SUPPORT MANAGER 1 GRADE SGS09 9
(13) TFS03C FOOD SERVICES MANAGER 1 GRADE SGS09 10
(14) PQA02C QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER 2 GRADE SGS09 11
(15) SSP15C SOCIAL SERVICES MANAGER 1 GRADE SGS09 12
(16) PHS08P HEALTH PROGRAM SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 27 GRADE SGS08 13
(17) TST03P LICENSED TRADESMAN SUPVR/EXPERT 2 GRADE SGS08 14
(18) CTR04P TRAINING SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 1 GRADE SGS08 15
(19) TFM02C FACILITY MANAGER 1 GRADE SGS07 16
(20) SSE02C SECURITY MANAGER 1 GRADE SGS07 17
(21) PAS08I EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT 1 GRADE SGS07 18
(22) PDA01P DATA/RESEARCH ANALYST 2 GRADE SGS07 19
(23) CME03P GRAPHIC ARTIST 1 GRADE SGS07 20
(24) PHS05P HEALTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR 44 GRADE SGS07 21
(25) TST02P LICENSED TRADESMAN 3 GRADE SGS07 22
(26) PPR02P PROCUREMENT COORDINATOR 1 GRADE SGS07 23
(27) TST05P SKILLED TRADESMAN SUPVR/EXPERT 6 GRADE SGS07 24
(28) ETF06P TEACHER II 1 GRADE SGS07 25
(29) SCM01I CHAPLAIN 1 GRADE SGS06 26
(30) ILS03I LEGAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST 7 GRADE SGS06 27
(31) PHS07P HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST 46 GRADE SGS06 28
(32) SLA04P LABORATORY TECHNICIAN I 1 GRADE SGS06 29
(33) TMA04P MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 3 GRADE SGS06 30
(34) PQA03P QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST 1 GRADE SGS06 31
(35) PAS15P RECORDS SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 1 GRADE SGS06 32
(36) TST04P SKILLED TRADESMAN 30 GRADE SGS06 33
(37) SSP16P SOCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST 2 GRADE SGS06 34
(38) SCM09P SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SPECIALIST 1 GRADE SGS06 35
(39) ETF05P TEACHER I 3 GRADE SGS06 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
3 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
(40) TFS04C FOOD SERVICES SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 4 GRADE SGS05 1
(41) PRC06C RESIDENT. CARE TEAM SUPVR/EXPERT 3 GRADE SGS05 2
(42) PAS01P ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST 26 GRADE SGS05 3
(43) PDA02P DATA/RESEARCH SPECIALIST 1 GRADE SGS05 4
(44) FGM02P GRANTS COORDINATOR 1 GRADE SGS05 5
(45) IIN02P INSPECTOR II 1 GRADE SGS05 6
(46) TIW04P INVENTORY SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 4 GRADE SGS05 7
(47) IIV03P INVESTIGATOR II 3 GRADE SGS05 8
(48) PPE02P PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I 8 GRADE SGS05 9
(49) PAS02P ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR 40 GRADE SGS04 10
(50) FFS04P FISCAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST 3 GRADE SGS04 11
(51) FGM01P GRANTS ANALYST 3 GRADE SGS04 12
(52) HDH07P HR SPECIALIST 1 GRADE SGS04 13
(53) TIW01P INVENTORY COORDINATOR 3 GRADE SGS04 14
(54) IIV02P INVESTIGATOR I 1 GRADE SGS04 15
(55) MLM04P PHLEBOTOMIST 2 GRADE SGS04 16
(56) TST07P TRADES SPECIALIST 4 GRADE SGS04 17
(57) THT01I CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT 166 GRADE SGS03 18
(58) EEP01P EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONAL 4 GRADE SGS03 19
(59) TIW03P INVENTORY SPECIALIST 9 GRADE SGS03 20
(60) TFS05P KITCHEN SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 8 GRADE SGS03 21
(61) MPS01P PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATOR 3 GRADE SGS03 22
(62) SSE01P SECURITY GUARD 61 GRADE SGS03 23
(63) PAS05I CALL CENTER SPECIALIST 1 GRADE SGS02 24
(64) THT04I PHARMACY TECHNICIAN 2 GRADE SGS02 25
(65) PAS03P ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST 14 GRADE SGS02 26
(66) THO02P HOUSEKEEPER SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 4 GRADE SGS02 27
(67) TGR01P LANDSCAPE COORDINATOR 2 GRADE SGS02 28
(68) PRC03P RESIDENTIAL CARE COORDINATOR 59 GRADE SGS02 29
(69) TAT01I BEAUTICIAN 1 GRADE SGS01 30
(70) TFS01P COOK 38 GRADE SGS01 31
(71) PRC01P HEALTH AIDE 2 GRADE SGS01 32
(72) THO01P HOUSEKEEPER 49 GRADE SGS01 33
(73) PRC04P RESIDENTIAL CARE SPECIALIST 38 GRADE SGS01 34
(74) MLM08C STATE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR 1 GRADE MED12 35
(75) MPA04C PHARMACY MANAGER 1 GRADE MED10 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
4 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
(76) MPH03P PHYSICIAN 3 GRADE MED10 1
(77) MDE01I DENTIST 1 GRADE MED09 2
(78) MPA01P PHARMACIST 2 GRADE MED09 3
(79) MNU05C NURSING ADMINISTRATOR 1 GRADE MED08 4
(80) MNU04P NURSE PRACTITIONER 2 GRADE MED08 5
(81) MLM05C PHYSICAL THERAPIST 1 GRADE MED07 6
(82) MNU07C REGISTERED NURSE MANAGER 15 GRADE MED07 7
(83) MLM07C SPEECH PATHOLOGIST 1 GRADE MED07 8
(84) MNU03P NURSE INSTRUCTOR 1 GRADE MED06 9
(85) MNU08P REG. NURSE SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 31 GRADE MED06 10
(86) MDI03P REGISTERED DIETICIAN 1 GRADE MED05 11
(87) MNU06P REGISTERED NURSE 153 GRADE MED05 12
(88) MLM06C RESPIRATORY THERAPIST 3 GRADE MED04 13
(89) MDI01P DIETICIAN 1 GRADE MED03 14
(90) MNU02P LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE SUPVR/EXP. 9 GRADE MED03 15
(91) MPS02P PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINER 1 GRADE MED03 16
(92) MNU01P LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE 85 GRADE MED02 17
(93) MRE02P REHABILITATION COORDINATOR 3 GRADE MED02 18
(94) MRE03P REHABILITATION INSTRUCTOR 28 GRADE MED02 19
(95) SLE02P POLICE OFFICER 24 GRADE LES01 20
MAX. NO. OF EMPLOYEES 1,181 21
22
SECTION 2. EXTRA HELP - STATE OPERATIONS. There is hereby authorized, 23
for the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging, Adult, and 24
Behavioral Health Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the following 25
maximum number of part-time or temporary employees, to be known as "Extra 26
Help", payable from funds appropriated herein for such purposes: three 27
hundred forty-seven (347) temporary or part-time employees, when needed, at 28
rates of pay not to exceed those provided in the Uniform Classification and 29
Compensation Act, or its successor, or this act for the appropriate 30
classification. 31
32
SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION - STATE OPERATIONS. There is hereby 33
appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the 34
paying account as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, for 35
personal services and operating expenses of the Department of Human Services 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
5 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
- Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal 1
year ending June 30, 2027, the following: 2
3
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 4
NO. 2026-2027 5
(01) REGULAR SALARIES $58,680,049 6
(02) EXTRA HELP 5,764,305 7
(03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 24,750,860 8
(04) OVERTIME 5,712,006 9
(05) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 10
(A) OPER. EXPENSE 41,332,158 11
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 182,214 12
(C) PROF. FEES 11,460,581 13
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 900,000 14
(E) DATA PROC. 0 15
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $148,782,173 16
17
SECTION 4. APPROPRIATION - AGING AND ADULT SERVICES - OPERATIONS. 18
There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be 19
payable from the paying account as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of 20
the State, for operating expenses, grants, and programs for aging and adult 21
services of the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging, Adult, and 22
Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the 23
following: 24
25
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 26
NO. 2026-2027 27
(01) NURSING HOME CARE ALTERNATIVES $4,802,025 28
(02) NUTRITION PROGRAMS 22,790,328 29
(03) OLDER WORKER PROGRAM 1,052,665 30
(04) PROJECT GRANTS 17,436,641 31
(05) RETIRED & SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 75,000 32
(06) SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS 10,000,000 33
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $56,156,659 34
35
SECTION 5. APPROPRIATION - COMMUNITY ALCOHOL SAFETY OPERATIONS. There 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
6 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable 1
from the Highway Safety Special Fund, for grant payments of the Department of 2
Human Services - Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for 3
the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following: 4
5
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 6
NO. 2026-2027 7
(01) COMMUNITY ALCOHOL SAFETY GRANTS AND 8
AID $2,416,834 9
10
SECTION 6. APPROPRIATION - PATIENT BENEFITS - CASH. There is hereby 11
appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the 12
cash fund deposited in the State Treasury as determined by the Chief Fiscal 13
Officer of the State, for benefits of the patients of the Department of Human 14
Services - Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the 15
fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following: 16
17
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 18
NO. 2026-2027 19
(01) PATIENT BENEFIT FUND $70,000 20
21
SECTION 7. APPROPRIATION - MENTAL HEALTH GRANTS. There is hereby 22
appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the 23
paying account as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, for 24
grant payments of the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging, 25
Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 26
2027, the following: 27
28
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 29
NO. 2026-2027 30
(01) MENTAL HEALTH GRANTS AND AID $47,553,171 31
32
SECTION 8. APPROPRIATION - ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION. There is 33
hereby appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from 34
the Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Fund, for education, drug abuse 35
prevention, and treatment services of the Department of Human Services - 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
7 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year 1
ending June 30, 2027, the following: 2
3
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 4
NO. 2026-2027 5
(01) EDUCATION/PREVENTION/TREATMENT $49,666,991 6
7
SECTION 9. APPROPRIATION - CRISIS SERVICES. There is hereby 8
appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the 9
Behavioral Health Services Fund Account, for grants and operating expenses 10
related to crisis intervention of the Department of Human Services - Division 11
of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year ending 12
June 30, 2027, the following: 13
14
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 15
NO. 2026-2027 16
(01) CRISIS SERVICES $5,000,000 17
18
SECTION 10. APPROPRIATION - VETERANS MENTAL HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM. 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 a grant program to veterans service organizations to support 22
veterans and their families by the Department of Human Services - Division of 23
Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year ending June 24
30, 2027, the following: 25
26
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 27
NO. 2026-2027 28
(01) VETERANS MENTAL HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM $5,000,000 29
30
SECTION 11. APPROPRIATION - MEALS ON WHEELS. There is hereby 31
appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the 32
Aging and Adult Services Fund Account, for the Meals on Wheels Program and 33
transportation services for the elderly of the Department of Human Services - 34
Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year 35
ending June 30, 2027, the following: 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
8 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
1
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 2
NO. 2026-2027 3
(01) TRANSPORTATION SERVICES $2,400,000 4
5
SECTION 12. APPROPRIATION - ARKANSAS SENIOR OLYMPICS. There is hereby 6
appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the 7
Behavioral Health Services Fund Account, for matching funds for the Arkansas 8
Senior Olympics of the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging, 9
Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 10
2027, the following: 11
12
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 13
NO. 2026-2027 14
(01) STATE MATCH $70,000 15
16
SECTION 13. APPROPRIATION - INDEPENDENT CHOICES GRANTS. There is 17
hereby appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from 18
the paying account as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, 19
for grant payments of the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging, 20
Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 21
2027, the following: 22
23
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 24
NO. 2026-2027 25
(01) INDEPENDENT CHOICES GRANTS AND AID $400,000 26
27
SECTION 14. APPROPRIATION - FIGHT SENIOR HUNGER COMMUNITY GRANT MATCH 28
PROGRAM. There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, 29
to be payable from the paying account as determined by the Chief Fiscal 30
Officer of the State, for grant match payments of the Department of Human 31
Services - Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the 32
fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following: 33
34
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 35
NO. 2026-2027 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
9 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
(01) FIGHT SENIOR HUNGER GRANT MATCH $400,000 1
2
SECTION 15. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 3
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. 4
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. Pay rates for physicians and chief psychologists 5
within the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services may 6
include the special allowances available to UAMS physicians and professional 7
faculty as authorized in Arkansas Code. Part of the salaries of such staff 8
will come from the receipt of professional income in the care of patients 9
and/or funds received from federal agencies, foundations and other private 10
sponsors in the support of research. Provided that any such allowance shall 11
not exceed, for any employee, an amount equal to two and one half times the 12
salary authorized by the General Assembly. The specific Division of Aging, 13
Adult, and Behavioral Health Services classifications covered by this 14
language are: 15
Class Maximum Annual 16
Code Title Salary Rate 17
MPH02P PHYSICIAN SPECIALIST MED12 18
MPH03P PHYSICIAN MED10 19
MPS04P PSYCHOLOGIST II MED09 20
Prior to these allowances being made available for an individual, they 21
will be approved by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State and reviewed by the 22
Personnel Committee of the Arkansas Legislative Council or the Joint Budget 23
Committee. 24
The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025 25
2026 through June 30, 2026 2027. 26
27
SECTION 16. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 28
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. ARKANSAS 29
HEALTH CENTER. (A) The Department of Human Services shall not close the 30
Arkansas Health Center that provides skilled nursing through specialized 31
services and programs. 32
(B) The Department of Human Services shall continue to accept clients for 33
whom it has determined that skilled nursing and specialized services are 34
needed at the Arkansas Health Center. 35
(C) No funds shall be transferred or reduced from the Arkansas Health 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
10 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
Center, except for use as federal matching funds, below the approved funding 1
level on March 1, 2003 without the prior approval of the Arkansas Legislative 2
Council or the Joint Budget Committee. 3
(D) Determining the maximum amount of appropriation and general revenue 4
funding for a state agency each fiscal year is the prerogative of the General 5
Assembly. This is usually accomplished by delineating such maximums in the 6
appropriation act(s) for a state agency and the general revenue allocations 7
authorized for each fund and fund account by amendment to the Revenue 8
Stabilization law. Further, the General Assembly has determined that the 9
Department of Human Services may operate more efficiently if some flexibility 10
is provided to the Department of Human Services authorizing broad powers 11
under this Section. Therefore, it is both necessary and appropriate that the 12
General Assembly maintain oversight by requiring prior approval of the 13
Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee as provided by this section. 14
The requirement of approval by the Legislative Council or Joint Budget 15
Committee is not a severable part of this section. If the requirement of 16
approval by the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee is ruled 17
unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, this entire section is 18
void. 19
The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025 20
2026 through June 30, 2026 2027. 21
22
SECTION 17. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 23
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. 24
EMPLOYMENT WORK DAYS. 25
For employees hired on or after July 1, 2013, at the Arkansas State 26
Hospital as either a Teacher II or a Teacher I, the Division of Aging, Adult, 27
and Behavioral Health Services Director shall set the number of work days for 28
the employment year to equal the number of days worked by those employed in 29
the same classifications at the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. The 30
accrual, use, and carryover of sick days, personal days, and holidays of the 31
employees at the Arkansas State Hospital that are hired on or after July 1, 32
2013 shall be treated in the same manner as those employed in the same 33
classifications at the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. 34
All employees affected by this section shall be eligible to 35
receive hazardous duty pay for time worked in eligible areas. 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
11 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025 1
2026 through June 30, 2026 2027. 2
3
SECTION 18. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 4
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. CARRY 5
FORWARD - CRISIS SERVICES. Any unexpended balance of funds allocated for 6
Crisis Services in the Department of Human Services - Division of Aging, 7
Adult, and Behavioral Health Services from the Behavioral Health Services 8
Fund Account which remains at the close of each state fiscal year shall be 9
carried forward to the next state fiscal year to be used for the same intent 10
and purposes as set forth in law. Any carry forward of unexpended balance of 11
funding as authorized herein may be carried forward under the following 12
conditions: 13
(1) Prior to June 30, 2025 2026, the Agency shall, by written 14
statement, set forth its reason(s) for the need to carry forward said funding 15
to the Department of Finance and Administration Office of Budget; 16
(2) The Department of Finance and Administration Office of Budget shall 17
report to the Arkansas Legislative Council all amounts carried forward by the 18
September Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee meeting 19
which report shall include the name of the Agency, Board, Commission, or 20
Institution and the amount of the funding carried forward, the program name 21
or line item, the funding source of that appropriation and a copy of the 22
written request set forth in (1) above; 23
(3) Each Agency, Board, Commission, or Institution shall provide a 24
written report to the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee 25
containing all information set forth in item (2) above, along with a written 26
statement as to the current status of the project, contract, purpose, etc. 27
for which the carry forward was originally requested no later than thirty 28
(30) days prior to the time the Agency, Board, Commission, or Institution 29
presents its budget request to the Arkansas Legislative Council/Joint Budget 30
Committee; and 31
(4) Thereupon, the Department of Finance and Administration shall 32
include all information obtained in item (3) above in the budget manuals 33
and/or a statement of non-compliance by the Agency, Board, Commission, or 34
Institution. 35
The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
12 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
2025 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027. 1
2
SECTION 19. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 3
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. AGING AND 4
ADULT SERVICES - MATCHING FUNDS. The funds appropriated for state match for 5
the Arkansas Senior Olympics Program in this Act shall be paid on a two-to-6
one state/local matching basis. The Senior Arkansas Sports Organization must 7
certify its portion of the match to the Division of Aging, Adult, and 8
Behavioral Health Services before any funds appropriated for state match for 9
the Arkansas Senior Olympics Program in this Act are disbursed. 10
The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025 11
2026 through June 30, 2026 2027. 12
13
SECTION 20. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 14
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. AGING AND 15
ADULT SERVICES - NURSING HOME CARE ALTERNATIVES. Funding for "Nursing Home 16
Care Alternatives", as it appears in the Aging and Adult Services - 17
Operations appropriation may be used for home delivered meals, adult day 18
care, homemaker/chore, respite care, personal care, health promotion, and 19
other community-based activities. These funds may also be used to match 20
Medicaid community-based programs. 21
The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025 22
2026 through June 30, 2026 2027. 23
24
SECTION 21. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 25
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. SENIOR 26
CITIZEN CENTERS. The appropriation in this act for Senior Citizen Centers 27
shall be distributed in the same manner as the funding formula requirements 28
set out in the federal Older Americans Act funding law. The additional 29
funding provided by this provision shall supplement and not supplant any 30
monies currently funding services for Senior Citizen Centers. 31
The requirements in this section shall only be implemented in accordance 32
with any necessary approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 33
and in the event that additional general revenue funding is provided by the 34
General Assembly for these purposes. Should additional funding provided for 35
these purposes be insufficient to provide for the increases in full, the 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
13 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
increases shall be provided to the extent that funding is made available. 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 22. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 5
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. CARRY 6
FORWARD OF UNOBLIGATED GENERAL REVENUE FUNDS FOR SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS. (a) 7
On June 30, 2019, or as soon as is practicable to determine funds available 8
as authorized in this Section, and each fiscal year thereafter the Chief 9
Fiscal Officer of the State shall cause to be transferred on his or her books 10
and those of the State Treasurer and Auditor of State the balance of 11
unobligated general revenue funds, excluding funds carried forward for other 12
purposes, remaining in the Fund or Fund Accounts and the corresponding paying 13
accounts as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, as set out 14
in subsection (b) herein, to the Department of Human Services - Division of 15
Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services paying account to be used 16
exclusively for the disbursement of funds for Senior Citizen Centers in the 17
amount of recouped and recovered general revenue not to exceed five hundred 18
thousand dollars ($500,000). 19
(b) Any unobligated general revenue, excluding funds carried forward for 20
other purposes, remaining in the following Fund or Fund Accounts and the 21
corresponding paying accounts at the end of the Fiscal Year that would 22
normally be transferred into the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund as 23
recouped or recovered General Revenue shall be transferred as authorized in 24
subsection (a) herein: 25
(1) Department of Human Services Administration Fund Account; 26
(2) Children and Family Services Fund Account; 27
(3) Youth Services Fund Account; 28
(4) Developmental Disabilities Services Fund Account; 29
(5) Medical Services Fund Account; 30
(6) Behavioral Health Services Fund Account; 31
(7) County Operations Fund Account; and 32
(8) Provider Services and Quality Assurance Fund Account. 33
(c)(1) Any general revenue recouped or recovered as authorized in 34
subsections (a) and (b) herein shall be carried forward to the following 35
fiscal year for Senior Citizen Centers and shall be distributed in the same 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
14 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
manner as the funding formula requirements set out in the federal Older 1
Americans Act funding law. 2
(2) The additional funding provided by this provision shall supplement 3
and not supplant any monies currently funding services for Senior Citizen 4
Centers. 5
(d) Should additional funding provided for in subsections (a) and (b) 6
herein be insufficient to provide for the full five hundred thousand dollars 7
($500,000) authorized, the increases shall be provided to the extent that 8
general revenue is recouped and carried forward. 9
(e)(1) The Department of Human Services shall provide a written report to 10
the Department of Finance and Administration Budget Office, the Arkansas 11
Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee the total amount of general 12
revenue carried forward and distributed as set forth in this section no later 13
than thirty (30) days prior to the time the Department presents its budget 14
request to the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee. 15
(2) The Department of Finance and Administration shall include all 16
information obtained in subsection (e)(1) herein in the budget manual 17
submitted to the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee for 18
the Department. 19
20
SECTION 23. SPECIAL LANGUAGE - CODE AMENDMENT. Arkansas Code § 20-64-21
903(b), concerning the exemptions to licensure for an alcohol and drug abuse 22
treatment program, is amended to read as follows: 23
(b) The following programs and persons are exempted from the 24
requirements of this subchapter: 25
(1) Acute care, hospital-based alcohol and drug abuse treatment 26
programs governed by §§ 20-9-201 and 20-10-213; 27
(2) Members of the clergy, Christian Science practitioners, and 28
licensed professionals working within the standards of their respective 29
professions, including without limitation: 30
(A) Attorneys; 31
(B) Counselors; 32
(C) Nurses; 33
(D) Physicians; 34
(E) Psychological examiners; 35
(F) Psychologists; 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
15 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
(G) School counselors; and 1
(H) Social workers; 2
(3) Treatment directly administered by the United States 3
Department of Defense or any other federal agency; and 4
(4) Self-help or twelve-step programs such as Alcoholics 5
Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon, or Nar-Anon 6
Family Groups; and 7
(5) Faith-based treatment and recovery programs for substance 8
abuse. 9
10
SECTION 24. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS. Disbursement of funds 11
authorized by this act shall be limited to the appropriation for such agency 12
and funds made available by law for the support of such appropriations; and 13
the restrictions of the State Procurement Law, the General Accounting and 14
Budgetary Procedures Law, the Revenue Stabilization Law, the Regular Salary 15
Procedures and Restrictions Act, or their successors, and other fiscal 16
control laws of this State, where applicable, and regulations promulgated by 17
the Department of Finance and Administration, as authorized by law, shall be 18
strictly complied with in disbursement of said funds. 19
20
SECTION 25. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the General 21
Assembly that any funds disbursed under the authority of the appropriations 22
contained in this act shall be in compliance with the stated reasons for 23
which this act was adopted, as evidenced by the Agency Requests, Executive 24
Recommendations and Legislative Recommendations contained in the budget 25
manuals prepared by the Department of Finance and Administration, letters, or 26
summarized oral testimony in the official minutes of the Arkansas Legislative 27
Council or Joint Budget Committee which relate to its passage and adoption. 28
29
SECTION 26. EMERGENCY CLAUSE. It is found and determined by the 30
General Assembly, that the Constitution of the State of Arkansas prohibits 31
the appropriation of funds for more than a one (1) year period; that the 32
effectiveness of this Act on July 1, 2026 is essential to the operation of 33
the agency for which the appropriations in this Act are provided, and that in 34
the event of an extension of the legislative session, the delay in the 35
effective date of this Act beyond July 1, 2026 could work irreparable harm 36
As Engrossed: S4/21/26 S4/27/26 SB21
16 04-27-2026 15:22:00 LCW083
upon the proper administration and provision of essential governmental 1
programs. Therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Act 2
being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health 3
and safety shall be in full force and effect from and after July 1, 2026. 4
5
/s/Joint Budget Committee 6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36