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ArkansasSB242026 Fiscal SessionSenateWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Joint Budget Committee

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Funding targets the autism waiver waitlist

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the state disability services division must budget, allocate, and spend up to $1 million to eliminate the Autism Waiver Services waiting list. This is one-time funding aimed at access for people waiting for services. The law does not set how many people receive services or when any particular person starts.

Funding and staffing for disability services

For July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, Arkansas provides about $201.60 million for developmental disability services operations. This includes $103.99 million for salaries, $45.10 million for employee benefits and employer taxes, and $4.31 million for overtime. It also includes $2.86 million for temporary help, $6.81 million to buy services, and $2.49 million for grants and patient services. Other funding covers daily operations, equipment, technology, training, and children's services. The agency can employ up to 2,489 regular workers and 199 temporary or part-time workers, but hiring is not required. Temporary workers' pay cannot exceed approved job rates and must come from funds set aside for that purpose.

Funding supports Arkansas Special Olympics

For July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, the law provides $178,768 in grants to Arkansas Special Olympics. The money comes from the Developmental Disabilities Services Fund Account and supports the organization's activities. It does not provide a direct cash payment to participants.

Grants support children's medical services

For July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, the law provides about $1.73 million for state Children's Medical Services grants. That money comes from the Department of Human Services Grants Fund Account. It also provides $446,205 in federal funds designated by the state's chief fiscal officer for federal program grants. The funding supports children's medical services but sets no family payment amount or new individual eligibility rules.

Grants support community disability care

For July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, the law provides about $15.89 million in grants to community disability service providers. It also provides $50,000 from dog-track revenue for private nonprofit community programs licensed by the state disability services division. Another $108,644 supports coordinated services across state divisions and agencies, plus an integrated case-management system. These funds support services and coordination, not a set cash payment to families.

Medicaid billing rules for community care

For July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, rules cover community care funded through provider grants, operations grants and patient services, and inter-divisional programs. These funds can support only private community services licensed or certified by the state disability division or a provider-led shared-savings entity. Providers must enroll in Arkansas Medicaid, bill for covered care for eligible people, and use Medicaid-covered services as much as possible. Providers must check each person's Medicaid eligibility within 30 days of the first service. They must meet state performance standards, share service and financial data, and maintain sound financial systems. They must also provide coordinated, ongoing care tailored to each person. Emergency services are allowed before eligibility is secured when timely steps are taken to secure it.

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 • 4/28/2026

House Vote - Tuesday, April 28, 2026 2:23:39 PM

Yes: 94 • No: 1 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 4/23/2026

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

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Notification that SB24 is now Act 150

    5/1/2026Senate

  2. DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.

    4/28/2026Senate

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

    4/28/2026Senate

  4. ORDERED ENROLLED

    4/28/2026Senate

  5. Returned from the House as passed.

    4/28/2026Senate

  6. Returned to the Senate as passed.

    4/28/2026Senate

  7. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/28/2026Senate

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

    4/28/2026Senate

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

    4/23/2026Senate

  10. RECEIVED FROM THE SENATE

    4/23/2026Senate

  11. Ordered Immediately transmitted to the House.

    4/23/2026Senate

  12. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/23/2026Senate

  13. Read the third time and passed.

    4/23/2026Senate

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

    4/22/2026Senate

  15. Re-referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

    4/21/2026Senate

  16. REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED

    4/21/2026Senate

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

    4/21/2026Senate

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

    4/21/2026Senate

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

    4/8/2026Senate

  20. Filed

    4/1/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB24 - Introduced

    4/1/2026

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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