HB1729

House Bill 1729 amends the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Act to include licensed massage therapists in the list of mandated reporters. Mandated reporters are individuals required by law to report suspected instances of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. By adding this profession to the list, the bill seeks to expand the network of professionals responsible for identifying and reporting potential child maltreatment. The legislation specifically modifies Arkansas Code § 12-18-402(b) to include licensed massage therapists as the 42nd category of mandated reporters in the state. No other changes to the existing child protection framework are proposed in this bill.