AR HB1787

Amends Arkansas Code Title 9, Chapter 25, Subchapter 1 to add new section 9-25-105 authorizing circuit courts to order mental health services for children of incarcerated adults.

Defines "mental health services" to include assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or counseling for mental or emotional illness, substance addiction, learning disabilities, and behavioral or emotional dysfunction.

Allows circuit courts to order children of incarcerated adults to undergo mental health services as a preventative measure to reduce the likelihood of second-generation offenders.

Requires courts to receive and assess progress reports on the mental health services ordered and to release children from services at the earliest time consistent with the child's best interests.