The bill, designated as SB320, proposes extensive amendments to the Arkansas Juvenile Code, transitioning from the "Arkansas Juvenile Code of 1989" to the updated "Arkansas Juvenile Code." It introduces new provisions that clarify the jurisdiction of circuit courts over juvenile cases, emphasizing the exclusive original jurisdiction for juveniles aged ten to eighteen and allowing for extended jurisdiction until the age of twenty-one under specific conditions. The bill also addresses the confidentiality of juvenile records, stipulating that records related to serious offenses must be retained for ten years before potential expungement. Additionally, it mandates that safety plans ordered by the court must be communicated to relevant school officials to ensure student safety while maintaining confidentiality.

Furthermore, the bill outlines significant changes to the handling of juvenile dependency-neglect cases, including the establishment of six-month reviews for juveniles placed in out-of-home care and the requirement for the Department of Human Services to document compelling reasons for not filing petitions to terminate parental rights. It emphasizes the importance of the juvenile's best interests in custody decisions and introduces provisions for the reinstatement of parental rights under certain conditions. The legislation aims to enhance the welfare of juveniles by streamlining legal processes, ensuring timely reviews, and prioritizing family connections while also addressing the rights of parents and guardians throughout the juvenile justice system.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB320 V2 - 3-19-2025 10:20 AM: 3-3-203(f), 5-26-502(a), 5-26-502(e), 9-27-301, 5-26-503(e), 5-27-220(a), 5-64-710(c), 5-64-710(e), 5-65-402(a), 5-65-402(h), 6-10-134(f), 6-18-222(a), 6-20-104(a), 9-9-202(2), 9-9-201, 9-9-205(a), 9-9-207(a), 9-9-212(f), 9-9-217(a), 9-9-407(d), 9-10-102(h), 9-13-103(i), 9-27-401(b), 9-27-505(g), 9-27-506, 9-35-423, 9-27-507(b), 9-27-602(d), 9-27-702, 9-27-303, 9-35-102, 9-27-803(e), 9-27-805(b), 9-28-111, 9-35-318, 03-19-2025, 9-27-103, 6-15-501, 9-27-363, 9-35-334, 9-28-120(c), 9-27-303(40), 9-28-203(b), 9-28-208(b), 9-28-402(6), 9-28-401, 9-28-407(h), 9-32-203(g), 9-32-204(f), 9-34-202(b), 9-34-203(b), 12-9-113(d), 12-12-1105(b), 12-18-309, 12-18-620(f), 12-18-101, 12-18-710(f), 12-18-1001(a), 12-18-1005(a), 12-18-1008(a), 12-18-1010(c), 12-27-151, 9-27-356, 9-35-434, 12-41-809(a), 13-4-302(1), 16-13-326, 16-98-303(a), 16-122-102(d), 16-122-102, 20-6-102(5), 20-6-101, 20-18-409(c), 20-82-211(a), 21-6-416(f), 28-65-107(c), 28-65-203(a)
Old version SB320 V3 - 3-19-2025 12:16 PM: 3-3-203(f), 5-26-502(a), 5-26-502(e), 9-27-301, 5-26-503(e), 5-27-220(a), 5-64-710(c), 5-64-710(e), 5-65-402(a), 5-65-402(h), 6-10-134(f), 6-18-222(a), 6-20-104(a), 9-9-202(2), 9-9-201, 9-9-205(a), 9-9-207(a), 9-9-212(f), 9-9-217(a), 9-9-407(d), 9-10-102(h), 9-13-103(i), 9-27-401(b), 9-27-505(g), 9-27-506, 9-35-423, 9-27-507(b), 9-27-602(d), 9-27-702, 9-27-303, 9-35-102, 9-27-803(e), 9-27-805(b), 9-28-111, 9-35-318, 03-19-2025, 9-27-103, 6-15-501, 9-27-363, 9-35-334, 9-28-120(c), 9-27-303(40), 9-28-203(b), 9-28-208(b), 9-28-402(6), 9-28-401, 9-28-407(h), 9-32-203(g), 9-32-204(f), 9-34-202(b), 9-34-203(b), 12-9-113(d), 12-12-1105(b), 12-18-309, 12-18-620(f), 12-18-101, 12-18-710(f), 12-18-1001(a), 12-18-1005(a), 12-18-1008(a), 12-18-1010(c), 12-27-151, 9-27-356, 9-35-434, 12-41-809(a), 13-4-302(1), 16-13-326, 16-98-303(a), 16-122-102(d), 16-122-102, 20-6-102(5), 20-6-101, 20-18-409(c), 20-82-211(a), 21-6-416(f), 28-65-107(c), 28-65-203(a)
Act 518: 3-3-203(f), 5-26-502(a), 5-26-502(e), 9-27-301, 5-26-503(e), 5-27-220(a), 5-64-710(c), 5-64-710(e), 5-65-402(a), 5-65-402(h), 6-10-134(f), 6-18-222(a), 6-20-104(a), 9-9-202(2), 9-9-201, 9-9-205(a), 9-9-207(a), 9-9-212(f), 9-9-217(a), 9-9-407(d), 9-10-102(h), 9-13-103(i), 9-27-401(b), 9-27-505(g), 9-27-506, 9-35-423, 9-27-507(b), 9-27-602(d), 9-27-702, 9-27-303, 9-35-102, 9-27-803(e), 9-27-805(b), 9-28-111, 9-35-318, 03-19-2025, 9-27-103, 6-15-501, 9-27-363, 9-35-334, 9-28-120(c), 9-27-303(40), 9-28-203(b), 9-28-208(b), 9-28-402(6), 9-28-401, 9-28-407(h), 9-32-203(g), 9-32-204(f), 9-34-202(b), 9-34-203(b), 12-9-113(d), 12-12-1105(b), 12-18-309, 12-18-620(f), 12-18-101, 12-18-710(f), 12-18-1001(a), 12-18-1005(a), 12-18-1008(a), 12-18-1010(c), 12-27-151, 9-27-356, 9-35-434, 12-41-809(a), 13-4-302(1), 16-13-326, 16-98-303(a), 16-122-102(d), 16-122-102, 20-6-102(5), 20-6-101, 20-18-409(c), 20-82-211(a), 21-6-416(f), 28-65-107(c), 28-65-203(a)