Bill sets fiscal-year funding for aging and behavioral health services

The bill would set aside money for the Department of Human Services' Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services and authorize its staffing levels. The funding covers state operations, aging and adult services, mental health, substance-use prevention and treatment, crisis services, veterans' mental health grants, senior programs, and related services. State operations funding is limited to the listed purposes and available funds. The bill authorizes up to 1,181 regular employees and 347 temporary or part-time employees. Disbursements must follow state budget, procurement, accounting, salary, and other fiscal-control laws. These appropriations and staffing limits apply to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, beginning July 1, 2026, if the bill takes effect.

The bill would require the agency to keep the Arkansas Health Center open, continue accepting clients needing its specialized care, and seek legislative approval before certain funding reductions. The rules cover the Arkansas Health Center and clients whom the Department of Human Services determines need skilled nursing and specialized services there. Funding could be reduced below the specified approved level only with prior approval from the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee. The bill also includes temporary rules for physician pay allowances, teacher work schedules, crisis-service carry-forwards, senior-center funding, and other programs. Some senior-center requirements depend on federal approval and additional general-revenue funding. These special rules would apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, if the bill takes effect.

The bill would add faith-based substance-abuse treatment and recovery programs to the programs exempt from certain treatment-licensing requirements. The exemption list would cover faith-based programs, self-help groups, federal treatment, hospitals, clergy, and licensed professionals working within their professional standards. The exemption would apply to the requirements of the alcohol and drug abuse treatment licensing subchapter. The listed licensed professionals would remain subject to the standards of their own professions. The bill's emergency clause would make the act effective July 1, 2026, if enacted.