AR HB1625

Requires juvenile respondents in dependent-neglect cases to be served with petition and pleadings through their attorney ad litem in accordance with Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, rather than direct service.

Authorizes courts to determine the most appropriate goal of dependent-neglect cases as part of disposition orders.

Restricts custodians in open dependency-neglect proceedings from making decisions regarding bodily organ removal, withholding life-saving or life-sustaining treatments, and amputation of body parts without express court approval, except in life-threatening emergencies.

Replaces terminology "illegitimate" with "for whom paternity has not been established" throughout relevant code sections addressing paternity establishment and guardianship.

Clarifies that orders terminating reunification services may result in contempt sanctions against any party in violation, and expands grounds for service termination to include circumstances where a child has been removed from custody three or more times in fifteen months.