HB1762

House Bill 1762, titled the 'Child Abuse Protection Law,' amends the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Act to enhance notification procedures regarding child abuse, sexual abuse, or sexual exploitation investigations. Specifically, it mandates that when an employee of a state-licensed child care facility is the subject of such an investigation, the Department of Human Services or the Division of Arkansas State Police must notify the facility’s licensing authority and the employee's employer. Furthermore, the bill authorizes licensing authorities to notify other licensed facilities in the vicinity about the pending investigation if deemed appropriate. It also requires the creation of rules for these notification procedures and ensures that any such notifications are approved by a responsible manager. The bill maintains provisions for notifying entities if the investigation concludes that there is no preponderance of evidence suggesting children are at risk.