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ArkansasSB232026 Fiscal SessionSenate

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

Sponsored By: Joint Budget Committee

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Arkansas funds community services for youth

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, Arkansas funds community programs and grants serving youth. The Youth Services Fund Account provides $2.480444 million for community-based sanctions for youth found delinquent by a court. That account also provides $13.8211 million to buy services from community providers, including treatment and nonresidential support. The law separately authorizes $17.832942 million for federal child and youth service grants. Those grants use federal funds designated by the state’s Chief Fiscal Officer. This money supports services and grants, not direct cash payments to families.

Arkansas funds flexible residential youth care

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the Youth Services Fund Account provides $34.616356 million for residential youth services. The division can use up to 320 contingent temporary positions for residential, educational, therapeutic, or medical services not privately contracted. These positions are exempt from normal hour limits, and their use requires fiscal approval. Positions tied to privately contracted services must return to the staffing pool. The department can seek transfers between residential services and operations when it cannot continue private contracts or state-run residential components. Transfers require approval from the state’s Chief Fiscal Officer, the Governor, and the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee. The law sets no transfer amount.

Arkansas funds oversight for court-involved youth

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, Human Services must provide up to $240,000 for the Juvenile Ombudsman Program. This supports oversight and advocacy for youth in the juvenile system. The Inspector General’s Secretary must request the transfer. The state’s Chief Fiscal Officer then moves the money from an account selected by the Human Services Secretary. The money goes to the State Central Services Fund, not directly to families.

Arkansas funds youth services and staff

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, Arkansas provides $14.533752 million for youth services staff and operations. This includes $6.074027 million for regular salaries, $41,903 for temporary workers, $2.382574 million for related personnel costs, and $8,699 for overtime. It also includes $5.257099 million for operating expenses, $609,050 for professional fees, $55,400 for conferences and travel, and $105,000 for equipment. Data processing receives no funding. The division can employ up to 122 regular staff and 36 temporary or part-time workers. Temporary workers must be paid from designated funds, within the allowed pay rate for their job. The state’s Chief Fiscal Officer selects the paying account; spending cannot exceed the appropriation or legally available funds.

Juvenile detention grants face revenue limits

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law requires a $400,000 transfer for local juvenile detention operating grants. The state’s Chief Fiscal Officer moves money from the Youth Services Fund Account to the Juvenile Detention Facilities Operating Fund. At the Human Services Secretary’s request, the amount can fall proportionally with revenue reductions under the Revenue Stabilization Law. Reductions are measured against the July 1 official forecast for the division’s general revenue funding. These grants support facility costs, not household payments.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joint Budget Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 127 • No: 1

House vote • 4/27/2026

House Vote - Monday, April 27, 2026 3:41:26 PM

Yes: 94 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/23/2026

Senate Vote - Thursday, April 23, 2026 11:26:09 AM

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Notification that SB23 is now Act 133

    4/29/2026Senate

  2. DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.

    4/28/2026Senate

  3. Reported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.

    4/28/2026Senate

  4. ORDERED ENROLLED

    4/27/2026Senate

  5. Returned from the House as passed.

    4/27/2026Senate

  6. Returned To Senate as Passed.

    4/27/2026House

  7. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/27/2026House

  8. Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.

    4/27/2026House

  9. Considered in the Committee of the Whole, and recommended do pass.

    4/27/2026House

  10. RULES SUSPENDED

    4/27/2026House

  11. Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and placed on the CALENDAR.

    4/23/2026House

  12. RECEIVED FROM THE SENATE

    4/23/2026House

  13. Ordered Immediately transmitted to the House.

    4/23/2026Senate

  14. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/23/2026Senate

  15. Read the third time and passed.

    4/23/2026Senate

  16. Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass

    4/22/2026Senate

  17. Re-referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

    4/21/2026Senate

  18. REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED

    4/21/2026Senate

  19. Amendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.

    4/21/2026Senate

  20. Withdrawn from Committee and placed on 2nd reading for purpose of amendment # 1

    4/21/2026Senate

  21. Read first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

    4/8/2026Senate

  22. Filed

    4/1/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB23 - Introduced

    4/1/2026

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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