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.
HB 1058 authorizes funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support four specific units within the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: the Reynolds Center on Aging, the Boozman College of Public Health, the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, and the Area Health Education Center in Helena. The bill establishes the maximum number of regular employees allowed for each unit and sets specific salary rates for various administrative, academic, and research positions. Once enacted as Act 52, this legislation enables these institutions to hire staff and cover operating expenses within the authorized limits for the upcoming year.
This bill provides an additional $5 million in funding to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for its High-Risk Pregnancy Program and the IDHI Stroke Program. The money is taken from the state's General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund and added to the university's existing budget to ensure these specific health services can continue operating. The legislation declares an emergency to allow the funds to take effect immediately, ensuring that essential medical care for high-risk pregnancies and stroke patients is not disrupted. Once signed into law, the university must follow all standard state financial rules when spending these new dollars.
HB 1040, now Act 42, provides funding for the Arkansas State Department for Social Security Administration Disability Determination for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill authorizes the hiring of up to 594 regular employees and 20 temporary staff to process disability claims and manage department operations. It appropriates approximately $77.8 million to cover salaries, operating expenses, and other costs, with funds primarily sourced from federal allocations. Additionally, the law grants the department director authority to create up to 250 extra positions if needed to meet federal program requirements.
This bill amends Arkansas insurance laws to require insurers to provide detailed monthly reports to group health policyholders with more than 25 employees. Under the new rules, these reports must include data on premiums, medical and pharmacy claims, and the total number of enrolled members. Additionally, insurers must generate a separate report for any individual member whose claims exceed $10,000, detailing their coverage status and specific claim amounts. These changes directly affect large employers in Arkansas who purchase group health insurance and the insurance companies that issue those policies. The legislation focuses on increasing transparency by ensuring employers receive clearer information about how their health insurance funds are being used.
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.
HB 1031 appropriates $26.4 million in state funds to cover the salaries and operating expenses of the Arkansas Office of Attorney General for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill authorizes the hiring of up to 164 regular employees across various roles, including deputy attorneys general, investigators, and administrative staff, with specific salary caps for each position. A separate portion of the funding, totaling $1.07 million, is designated specifically for the Medicaid Fraud Division to support its state and federal operations. Additionally, the legislation permits the office to hire temporary or part-time workers as needed to handle extra workloads. Once enacted, this act provides the necessary financial resources to maintain the office's daily functions and legal enforcement activities.
This bill authorizes funding for the Arkansas Medicaid Tobacco Settlement Program for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, directing money from the Medicaid Expansion Program Account to the Department of Human Services. The legislation establishes specific job positions and allocates over $145 million for grants to hospitals and medical services, as well as approximately $1.3 million for operational expenses in aging, adult, and behavioral health divisions. Additionally, the act includes provisions ensuring that state funds are not used to replace tobacco settlement money unless explicitly approved by the General Assembly and Governor.
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.
HB 1014 authorizes funding and staffing for the Arkansas Department of Human Services' Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill establishes a maximum workforce of 186 employees, including directors, managers, inspectors, nurses, and administrative staff, while also permitting up to eight temporary or part-time workers as needed. A total of approximately $19.4 million is appropriated to cover salaries, benefits, and operating expenses such as travel, professional fees, and general maintenance. This legislation ensures the division can continue its essential functions, including licensing oversight and quality assurance for healthcare and social services providers, starting on July 1, 2026.
