This bill appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services - Secretary's Office for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, establishing a maximum of 652 regular employees, including 1 Secretary of Human Services. The total appropriated for regular salaries is $38,489,414, with additional allocations for extra help, personal services matching, overtime, and operational expenses, culminating in a total operational budget of $69,824,499. The bill also designates $15,914,729 specifically for construction and renovation projects and introduces the Department of Human Services Renovation Fund, which will facilitate the construction, acquisition, renovation, maintenance, and repair of departmental facilities, allowing for a maximum annual transfer of $5 million from federal reimbursements and general revenues.

Moreover, the bill modifies the effective dates for certain provisions related to the Department of Human Services, extending the period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, to a new timeframe of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. It grants the Secretary authority to request fund transfers for the Renovation Fund and manage inter-agency fund transfers for federal reimbursement services. The bill also includes provisions for reallocating resources within the Department to address changing client needs while ensuring protections for funds related to the Arkansas Medicaid Program and compliance with the Angela R. consent decree. Additionally, it outlines procedures for transferring insurance reimbursements for storm damage repairs at the Arkansas State Hospital, mandates quarterly reporting to the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee, and includes an emergency clause for the act to be effective by July 1, 2025.