§ 21-5-111 — Department of Human Services - Nursing/direct care recruitment and retention bonuses

(a) The Department of Human Services may issue nursing/direct care recruitment and retention bonuses in addition to the maximum annual amounts provided for regular salaries in the operative appropriation act for the department for: (1) Registered nurses; (2) Licensed practical nurses; (3) Certified nursing assistants; and (4) Behavioral health aides. (b) New hire nurses shall be licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. (c) The total recruitment/retention bonus payment commitment for eligible nurses shall not exceed: (1) Four thousand dollars ($4,000) per registered nurse; (2) Two thousand dollars ($2,000) per licensed practical nurse; and (3) One thousand dollars ($1,000) per: (A) Certified nursing assistant; and (B) Behavioral health aide. (d) The lump-sum bonus payments allowed under this section and the employment commitment to the state shall be made in partial payments as follows: (1) For registered nurse classifications: (A) One thousand dollars ($1,000) after completing six (6) months of probationary employment; (B) One thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) after completing the first year of employment; and (C) One thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) after completing the second year of employment; (2) For licensed practical nurse classifications: (A) Five hundred dollars ($500) after completing six (6) months of probationary employment; (B) Five hundred dollars ($500) after completing the first year of employment; and (C) One thousand dollars ($1,000) after completing the second year of employment; and (3) For certified nursing assistant and behavioral health aide classifications: (A) Five hundred dollars ($500) after completing six (6) months of probationary employment; and (B) Five hundred dollars ($500) after completing the first year of employment. (e) A qualified person hired and offered bonus payments under this section forfeits the balance of the bonus payments if he or she voluntarily resigns or is terminated for cause from employment with the department before completing the required employment commitment time periods under subsection (d) of this section. (f) The department may pay the nursing/direct care recruitment and retention bonuses allowed under this section from the state and federal funds appropriated for the respective division of the department.

Legislative History

Added by Act 2023, No. 492,§ 13, eff. 7/1/2023.