The bill amends the residency requirements for the adoption of a minor in Arkansas. It specifies that in cases where the child is not in the custody of the Department of Human Services, a final decree of adoption cannot be issued until the minor has lived in the adoptive home for at least six months after placement by a licensed child placement agency or after the adoption petition is filed. The bill also clarifies that this residency requirement does not apply to stepchildren of the petitioner or to minors less than six months old at the time the petition is filed.

Additionally, for adoptions involving children in the custody of the Department of Human Services, the bill establishes that a final decree of adoption will not be issued until the minor has lived in the home for at least six months, with certain exceptions. These exceptions include cases where the minor is less than six months old, or if the Director of the Division of Children and Family Services waives the residency requirement for minors aged sixteen or older who are participating in life skills, technical, or vocational programs. The bill removes previous language that exempted minors in custody from the residency requirement under specific circumstances.