The Joint Budget Committee approved House Bill 13 89, an appropriation request intended to fund additional renovation of state human development centers.

Representative Laderman urged the committee to fund another $20 million for renovation work, saying renovations at Booneville exceeded $20 million and Jonesboro has $8 million allocated but needs an additional $20 million. Laderman described crowded living conditions at some centers and said many residents have no family visitors; she urged members to prioritize renovations to improve living conditions.

Why it mattered: human development centers provide long-term residential care for people with developmental disabilities; sponsors argued deferred maintenance and demographic changes have increased risks to residents’ wellbeing. The sponsor said that without a plan, facilities could deteriorate to the point where receivership becomes necessary, which could shift costs to local governments.

Committee members raised scheduling and information questions; the sponsor agreed to meet with members and bring additional detail to the next meeting. The committee then voted to pass the bill.

Ending: The measure passed the committee and will proceed in the budget process; members asked the sponsor to supply further detail about the remaining funding needs and locations ahead of subsequent hearings.