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HB 1921

Appropriation; IHL for repairs and improvements of campus facilities at the three HBCUs in MS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Willie Bailey and 17 co-sponsors

Arkansas bill would cut foster parent training hours and let DCFS set streamlined, reduced requirements for provisional/relative foster homes.

Died In Committee
#appropriationsa #appropriationse
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Bill Summary · HB 1921

Summary — HB 1921

Note on sources and conflicting records
- The available file for “HB 1921” contains inconsistent and overlapping materials from multiple jurisdictions and drafts: an Arkansas child-welfare amendment, an Illinois short‑title draft for a “Small Business Financing Transparency Act,” and an unrelated Mississippi appropriation title (IHL/HBCU repairs). Legislative-action entries also conflict (some show the measure passing and becoming Act 824; other records show it “Died In Committee”). Because of those inconsistencies, the summary below focuses on the bill text and amendment language actually provided (which is chiefly an Arkansas amendment to foster parent training rules). Where relevant, I note other disparate items in the record.

Main purpose and intent

Primary text provided: amend Arkansas child welfare law to change the training and certification process for foster parents. The intent is to:
- Reduce and limit the number of required training hours for foster-home approval and maintenance;
- Create a streamlined training pathway for provisional foster homes (including relatives), and
- Give the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) authority to set reduced hour requirements by rule.

Key provisions (based on provided amendment language)

  • Foster parent training-hour limits (proposed Arkansas Code additions, 9-28-417):

    • Initial training to become an approved foster home: capped at 15 hours.
    • Annual training to maintain approved status: capped at 6 hours.
    • DCFS may further reduce the hourly requirements by administrative rule.

  • Provisional foster homes (proposed Arkansas Code additions, 9-28-418):

    • DCFS shall not require a provisional foster home to undergo the same amount of hourly training required under § 9-28-417 (i.e., provisional homes may have reduced/alternative requirements).
    • DCFS must promulgate rules to “streamline the training process” for provisional foster homes.

  • Amendment H1 language: explicitly states the division shall not require a provisional foster home to undergo the same amount of hourly training under § 9-28-417.

Who would be affected

  • Prospective and current foster parents in Arkansas (including relative caregivers seeking provisional approval).
  • Children placed in foster care, who could experience faster placements if training requirements for provisional relatives are reduced or streamlined.
  • Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) — administrative responsibility to adopt implementing rules and carry out training adjustments.
  • Foster-care licensing and training providers (curriculum developers, trainers).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Faster placement of children with relatives (if provisional training is reduced) could improve family-based placements and reduce reliance on congregate care.
  • Reduced mandatory training hours may lower barriers to becoming an approved foster parent but could raise questions about adequacy of training, quality assurance, and child safety — outcomes would depend on rule details and implementation.
  • Giving DCFS rulemaking authority allows flexibility but concentrates discretion in the executive agency; oversight and rulemaking process will shape practical effects.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • The file shows multiple, conflicting procedural entries (filing dates in Jan–Apr 2025, amendment H1 adopted 04/03/2025, and a record entry “Act 824” on 04/17/2025). However, other entries list the bill as “Died In Committee” (Appropriations A/E) and “Referred to Transportation.” Because records are inconsistent, the bill’s final status is unclear from this packet. If you need the definitive legislative outcome, I recommend checking the official state legislative website or the appropriate chamber’s bill history for HB 1921 in the relevant state (Arkansas, Illinois, or Mississippi) to resolve which version and status apply.

If you want, I can:
- Retrieve and reconcile official bill histories for the relevant state(s);
- Produce a draft fiscal/implementation checklist showing what DCFS would need to do to implement these changes; or
- Summarize debates or stakeholder positions if you provide additional source material.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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