AR HB1671

Appropriates $1,500,000 from the General Improvement Fund to the Department of Human Services - Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education for grants supporting after school and summer programs in low-income and rural school districts.

Programs shall provide early childhood development, elementary literacy advancement, physical activity, nutrition, and emergency relief services for Arkansas children.

Appropriations are not restricted by requirements applicable to other programs and allow the department to adopt new rules and regulations to carry out the General Assembly's intent.

Specifies that contracts and obligations cannot exceed available State Treasury funds, but allows supplementation with grants, donations, and Federal funds if available.

Effective date is July 1, 2011, with an emergency clause declaring the funds essential to agency operations.