The bill aims to remove the certification process of the Department of Human Services from the licensure requirements for private care agencies in Arkansas. It amends the definition of a private care agency to specify that such agencies must be licensed by the Department of Health as a private care agency rather than certified by the Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance as a provider of home- and community-based health services. This change is intended to streamline the process for private care agencies to provide in-home personal care services, which are reimbursable through Medicaid. Additionally, the bill modifies the requirements for private care agencies to maintain a primary location in Arkansas and eliminates the need for them to have a sufficient number of regional offices to service their administrative needs. The amendments emphasize the importance of ensuring that licensed private care agencies can effectively meet the needs of eligible recipients by providing 24/7 in-home personal care services.

Statutes affected:
HB 1439: 20-10-2301(b), 20-10-2302, 20-10-2304(c)
Act 853: 20-10-2301(b), 20-10-2302, 20-10-2304(c)