Bill > SB326

This bill amends the Arkansas Juvenile Code and Child Maltreatment Act to refine guidelines and procedures related to child welfare and protection. The legislation emphasizes that the best interests of children are paramount, with a focus on preserving family integrity while ensuring child safety. Key provisions include: redefining "neglect" to require a persistent pattern of family dysfunction that results in harm to a child; modifying who can file dependency-neglect or family in need of services petitions (now limited to parents, guardians, counselors, and school principals); allowing judges to initiate a 72-hour hold for children in circumstances presenting immediate danger; and establishing new screening protocols for the Child Abuse Hotline that involve a standardized assessment tool to evaluate potential risks to children. The bill also clarifies conditions under which a child can be taken into protective custody, emphasizing that removal should only occur when there is an immediate, unmitigatable danger to the child's health or well-being. Throughout the legislation, there is a consistent underlying principle that government intervention should be temporary, children should remain with their families when safe, and the ultimate goal is to support family reunification and help children become self-sufficient adults.

Justice

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=sb326&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R