The bill aims to eliminate the certification process currently required by the Department of Human Services for private care agencies in Arkansas. It amends existing laws to allow private care agencies to be licensed by the Department of Health instead. The changes include defining a private care agency as one that is "licensed by the Department of Health as a private care agency" rather than being "certified by the Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance." Additionally, the bill specifies that these agencies can provide in-home personal care services around the clock and seek reimbursement through the Arkansas Medicaid Program.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the requirements for private care agencies by removing the necessity for them to maintain a "sufficient number of regional offices" and instead focuses on the need for a primary location in Arkansas to adequately serve their administrative and patient needs. This streamlining of regulations is intended to enhance the availability of personal care services to eligible recipients while ensuring that agencies meet necessary standards for operation and liability coverage.

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)