SB23
An Act For The Department Of Human Services - Division Of Youth 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
This bill provides the official state appropriation for the Arkansas Department of Human Services – Division of Youth Services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. It authorizes a maximum of 121 regular employees and 36 extra-help positions, while outlining specific funding allocations for operations, community-based sanctions, community services, federal grants, and residential services. The legislation establishes a total operating budget of approximately $14.45 million and authorizes specific transfers for the Juvenile Ombudsman Program and local juvenile detention facility grants. Additionally, the bill includes contingency provisions that allow the agency to adjust between private contracting and state-run service delivery if necessary. It also authorizes a pool of 320 contingent residential service positions to ensure staffing stability for juvenile facilities. The bill contains an emergency clause, making it effective starting July 1, 2026.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are the youth served by the Division of Youth Services who rely on state-funded residential, therapeutic, and community-based programs. Additionally, the Department of Human Services and its employees benefit from the authorized personnel counts and operational funding. Local juvenile detention facilities also benefit through the specifically earmarked grants for their operating expenses, and the Juvenile Ombudsman Program receives dedicated funding to continue its oversight functions.
Who Might Suffer?
There are no specific groups or entities negatively impacted by this appropriations bill, as its purpose is to maintain the standard operational and service-delivery functions of a government agency. Any potential for negative impact would be purely speculative, such as private contractors who might face displacement if the Department of Human Services chooses to utilize its contingency authority to move services to state-run, in-house staff.
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