AR SB19

Appropriates $262,029 to the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy for fiscal year 2015-2016, payable from cash funds, including $91,891 for regular salaries, $5,000 for extra help, and $30,816 for personal services matching.

Authorizes a maximum of 2 regular employees (Physical Therapy Board Executive Director at Grade C120 and Administrative Specialist III at Grade C112) and up to 1 temporary or part-time employee as needed.

Allocates $41,000 for professional fees, with $25,000 designated for contracting an independent or private investigator to perform investigative tasks; board members are prohibited from conducting investigations.

Requires the agency to request legal services from the Arkansas Attorney General before employing private attorneys, with Attorney General certification required for each instance of special counsel or annually for retainer-based counsel.

Effective July 1, 2015, with emergency declaration due to constitutional restrictions on multi-year appropriations and the agency's immediate operational needs.