AR SB239

Prohibits foreign exchange student placement organizations from placing students with host families during the following academic year if the organization fails to register, submits false information, or places three or more students with host families having members with true child maltreatment reports within one year.

Requires placement organizations to provide the Secretary of State with annual lists by September 1 containing student names, home countries, parent/guardian contact information, host family details, and school attendance.

Establishes a tiered penalty system for organizations placing students with host families where members have true child maltreatment reports: warning for first occurrence, $5,000 fine for second occurrence, and $10,000 fine plus one-year registration ban for third occurrence within one year.

Requires organizations to adopt policies ensuring foreign exchange students are not subjected to child maltreatment and mandates reporting of true findings to the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel and the United States Department of State.

Grants international student exchange visitor placement organizations access to child maltreatment reports and investigative information when they have students currently placed in the state or in homes where alleged offenders reside.