AR HB1635

Raises the minimum age threshold for criminal background checks from 18 years old to 18 and one-half (18½) years old for household members in adoption home studies and foster/adoptive placements.

Allows prospective adoptive parents who have lived in a state for at least 6 years prior to adoption to require only a state-of-residence criminal background check instead of a national fingerprint-based FBI check.

Requires prospective adoptive parents and household members (18½ years and older) who have not continuously resided in a state for at least 5 years to provide state-of-residence criminal records checks if available, instead of federal FBI checks.

Modifies background check renewal requirements for adoptive parents in Arkansas from annual checks to every 2 years pending final court issuance of a decree of adoption, after which repeat checks are no longer required.

Extends the timeframe for youths turning 18 years old to complete their criminal background check from immediately required to within 6 months after their eighteenth birthday.