SB325

Senate Bill 325 amends the Arkansas Juvenile Code of 1989 and the Child Maltreatment Act to modify the processes for reinstating parental rights and managing the Child Maltreatment Central Registry. The bill establishes new criteria for filing motions to resume services for parents whose rights were previously terminated, including specific scenarios involving the child's custody status and placement history. It allows for the waiver of statutory waiting periods if deemed in the best interest of the child and authorizes the court to appoint counsel for parents in these proceedings. Additionally, the bill updates the requirements for home evaluations and studies during the reunification process, permitting flexibility in documentation. The legislation also modifies the criteria for reporting and removal from the Child Maltreatment Central Registry, specifically regarding neglect determinations and outcomes following family reunification. It clarifies the scope of registry entries to exclude certain findings and provides a path for parents to be removed from the registry after successful reunification and a period of compliance.