The bill, known as "Samantha's Law," aims to enhance the voice of youth in foster care placements and family time decisions by allowing a juvenile's preferences to be considered regardless of their chronological age, provided they possess sufficient age and capacity to reason. This change is reflected in amendments to existing laws, specifically Arkansas Code 9-27-325, 9-27-355, and 9-28-108, which now explicitly state that the court may take into account the preferences of the juvenile in matters of visitation and placement.

Additionally, the bill modifies the terminology used in the context of family interactions, replacing "visitation" with "family time" to better reflect the nature of these interactions. The legislation emphasizes the importance of considering the juvenile's perspective in legal proceedings, thereby promoting a more inclusive approach to decision-making in the juvenile justice system. Overall, the bill seeks to empower youth in foster care by ensuring their voices are heard and respected in critical decisions affecting their lives.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1153 V2 - 2-9-2023 09:07 AM: 9-27-316(f), 02-09-2023, 9-27-325(o), 9-27-355(b), 9-28-108(e), 9-28-1003(b)
Old version HB1153 V3 - 2-16-2023 09:23 AM: 9-27-325(o), 02-16-2023, 9-27-355(b), 9-28-108(e)
HB 1153: 9-27-325(o), 02-16-2023, 9-27-355(b), 9-28-108(e)
Act 168: 9-27-325(o), 02-16-2023, 9-27-355(b), 9-28-108(e)