HB1446

House Bill 1446 establishes stricter state oversight of psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs) and other regulated facilities that provide behavioral health treatment to children in Arkansas. The bill restricts admissions to these facilities primarily to Arkansas residents, children of Arkansas residents, children placed by out-of-state welfare agencies, children covered by out-of-state Medicaid, children of active-duty military or veterans, and nonresident victims of human trafficking. It mandates that the Department of Human Services (DHS) define and enforce quality-of-care standards, which include trauma-informed programming, educational compliance, and clinical discharge planning. DHS is authorized to conduct regular quality assurance reviews, including on-site visits, staff training evaluations, and client interviews. Furthermore, the bill grants DHS enforcement authority to issue letters of reprimand, require corrective action plans, and impose civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation. Finally, it outlines procedures for DHS to petition the Child Welfare Agency Review Board or the State Board of Health to deny, suspend, or revoke the licenses of facilities that fail to meet these standards.