SB335 - Arkansas Close to Home Act

• Creates local community youth services boards in Arkansas to develop community-based alternatives to juvenile commitment, with boards consisting of 9-15 members including judges, probation officers, parents, providers, and community representatives.

• Requires the Division of Youth Services to establish pilot programs (up to 5 initially) beginning October 1, 2013, with boards developing comprehensive plans within 6 months identifying available youth services and gaps in intervention.

• Allocates a portion of community-based services funding to local boards, with 75% of remaining general funds at fiscal year-end returned equally to boards and 25% retained by the division.

• Prohibits funding from providing direct services to juvenile offenders or impairing consumer choice in selecting qualified service providers, and subjects all expenditures to review, audit, and potential recovery for improper spending.

• Requires annual implementation reports from boards and authorizes the Division of Youth Services to approve plans, provide technical assistance, adjust funding, or dissolve boards based on measured outcomes in public safety and youth development.