The bill SB320 proposes extensive amendments to the Arkansas Juvenile Code, modernizing and clarifying various aspects of juvenile law. It updates references from the "Arkansas Juvenile Code of 1989" to the "Arkansas Juvenile Code" and introduces new provisions regarding the care and treatment of juveniles, including the handling of juvenile detention and the establishment of paternity. The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of juvenile records and outlines the responsibilities of custodians in ensuring the welfare of juveniles. It also mandates that the Department of Human Services provide support for juveniles transitioning to adulthood, including the development of a transitional life plan starting at age fourteen.

Additionally, the bill removes several provisions related to the definitions and procedures for juvenile cases, including the handling of dependency-neglect and family-in-need-of-services cases. It establishes clearer guidelines for the termination of parental rights, the rights of putative parents, and the responsibilities of court-appointed special advocates. The bill aims to streamline processes, enhance the legal protections for juveniles and their families, and ensure that the best interests of the child are prioritized throughout the legal proceedings. Overall, SB320 seeks to create a more equitable and supportive juvenile justice framework in Arkansas.

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)