SB733 Summary

• Increases age threshold for "caretaker," "sexual abuse," and "underaged juvenile offender" definitions from 10 years to 13 years of age throughout the Child Maltreatment Act

• Clarifies that reasonable and moderate physical discipline by parents or guardians does not constitute abuse, and establishes specific conditions for restraint of children by child welfare agency employees (training required, alternatives exhausted, reasonable duration, agency policy compliance)

• Adds new reporting requirements for health care providers to contact Department of Human Services regarding infants born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and requires the department to develop safe care plans for affected infants

• Expands mandated reporters to include victim/witness coordinators, victim assistance professionals, and employees of the Crimes Against Children Division of Arkansas State Police

• Modifies investigation procedures including screening out procedures, administrative hearing timelines (180 days), and notification requirements to alleged juvenile offenders, parents, guardians, multidisciplinary teams, and mandated reporters