This bill amends the Arkansas Juvenile Code of 1989 and the Child Maltreatment Act to enhance the protection of children and modify the guidelines for determining the best interests of a child in legal proceedings. Key provisions include a clearer emphasis on the importance of family integrity and the necessity for government intervention to be temporary when a child is removed from their family. The bill establishes that the best interest of the child must be the paramount consideration in juvenile court decisions, including factors such as family integrity, health and safety, and timely permanency decisions. Additionally, it introduces a standardized assessment tool for evaluating risks of harm to children when reports of maltreatment are made.

The bill also revises the definition of neglect to reflect a pattern of acts or omissions by caregivers that fail to meet a child's basic needs, and it expands the list of individuals who can file petitions for dependency-neglect cases. Furthermore, it allows judges to initiate a seventy-two-hour hold on a child if there is an immediate danger to their health or well-being. The amendments aim to strengthen the child welfare system by ensuring that the processes surrounding child maltreatment reporting, dependency-neglect, and family-in-need-of-services matters are more effective and focused on the child's best interests.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB326 V2 - 3-12-2025 02:07 PM: 9-27-102, 03-12-2025, 9-27-303(37), 9-27-310(b), 9-27-310, 9-27-332(a), 9-28-104, 12-18-103(14), 12-18-303(a), 12-18-1001(a)
Old version SB326 V3 - 3-20-2025 02:11 PM: 9-27-102, 03-20-2025, 9-27-303(37), 9-27-310(b), 9-27-310, 12-18-1001, 9-27-332(a), 9-28-104, 12-18-103(14), 12-18-303(a), 12-18-1001(a)
Old version SB326 Original - 2-26-2025 03:58 PM: 9-27-102, 9-27-303(37), 9-27-310(b), 9-27-310, 9-27-332(a), 9-28-104, 12-18-103(14), 12-18-303(a), 12-18-1001(a)
SB 326: 9-27-102, 9-27-303(37), 9-27-310(b), 9-27-310, 9-27-332(a), 9-28-104, 12-18-103(14), 12-18-303(a), 12-18-1001(a)