SB21
An Act For The Department Of Human Services - Division Of Aging, Adult, And Behavioral Health Services Appropriation For The 2026-2027 Fiscal Year.
Last Action (April 1, 2026): Read first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
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AI-Generated Summary
Senate Bill 21 is an appropriations act for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, specifically the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. The bill establishes the maximum number of regular employees at 1,179 and authorizes 347 temporary or part-time staff positions. It allocates funding across multiple operational categories, including regular salaries, overtime, personal services matching, and administrative operating expenses. Significant appropriations are designated for mental health grants, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and aging and adult services such as nutrition programs and senior centers. The bill also provides funding for specialized initiatives like crisis services, veterans' mental health grants, the Meals on Wheels program, and the Arkansas Senior Olympics. Additionally, the bill includes special language allowing for adjusted pay rates for certain medical professionals, such as physicians and psychologists, to remain competitive with UAMS salary structures. The total appropriation outlined in the primary operations section is $148,545,191, with additional specific funds allocated across various programmatic sections.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this legislation are the clients and patients served by the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services, including senior citizens, individuals with mental health needs, and persons struggling with substance abuse. Additionally, the employees of the division, including social workers, medical staff, and administrative personnel, benefit from the authorized salaries and employment positions. Community-based organizations, senior centers, and veterans' service organizations also benefit through the grant programs funded by this act.
Who Might Suffer?
There are no groups directly or negatively impacted by the passage of this bill in a punitive sense. However, because this is an appropriations act, it establishes spending limits; therefore, any potential negative impact would be felt by programs, services, or departmental initiatives that did not receive requested funding or were not included in this specific budgetary allocation.
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