Healthcare (Hospitals)

Senate Bill 20, now Act 132, provides funding and staffing levels for the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Medical Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill authorizes a maximum of 91 regular employees and up to 10 temporary workers to support operations, including oversight of health programs, claims review, and nursing care. It appropriates approximately $12.8 million for salaries and operational expenses, while allocating over $10.4 billion specifically for grants related to hospital services, prescription drugs, and various nursing home care programs. Additionally, the act sets aside $4.5 million to cover costs associated with closing long-term care facilities and relocating residents.

This bill provides funding for the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services within the Arkansas Department of Human Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It also amends state law to clarify which organizations and individuals are exempt from standard licensing requirements for alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs. Specifically, the changes include exemptions for hospital-based programs, clergy, licensed professionals like doctors and social workers, federal agencies, twelve-step support groups, and faith-based recovery programs. These provisions aim to ensure that these specific types of services operate without needing the same permits required of other treatment facilities.

This bill reauthorizes funding for construction and repair projects within the Arkansas Department of Human Services, specifically targeting the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services. The legislation allocates up to $448,902 to build a warehouse distribution facility for the Arkansas Health Center and up to $1,175,065 to repair or replace roofs at the Arkansas State Hospital. Funds must be used strictly for these designated projects, cannot be combined with general operating budgets, and must adhere to state purchasing and financial laws. An emergency clause is included to ensure the money becomes available on July 1, 2026, preventing delays that could disrupt essential services.