HB1122 Summary

• Appropriates $60,448,638 for the Department of Career Education - Arkansas Rehabilitation Services for fiscal year 2017-2018, including regular salaries of $18,421,114 and contract services of $20,941,993.

• Establishes 510 regular full-time employees with maximum salary ranges from GRADE C102 to GRADE N916, plus 19 part-time or temporary employees.

• Authorizes additional appropriations for specialized programs including Increasing Capabilities Access Network ($298,690), Disability Telecommunication Equipment ($496,510), Technology Equipment Revolving Loan Program ($1,580,000 in loans), and Promise Grant ($454,045).

• Provides a waiver of continuing professional education requirements to allow eligible employees to pursue college-level degree programs funded by federal rehabilitation grants.

• Establishes a Forgiveness of Student Loan Program for eligible counselors, capped at $2,000 annually or $10,000 per employee, funded from rehabilitation program grants up to $80,000 per fiscal year.