AR HB1752

Amends Arkansas Code § 9-9-102 to replace "adult relative" with "person related by blood or adoption" to clarify the definition of preferred caregivers in foster care and adoption placements by the Department of Human Services.

Establishes that preferential consideration for relative placement applies to all placements of a child in the department's custody, not just initial placements, and continues even after termination of parental rights.

Clarifies that the relative placement preference is not a defense to a petition to terminate parental rights and does not grant any legal rights to blood or adoptive relatives, including the right to intervene in juvenile or adoption proceedings.

Amends Arkansas Code § 9-9-223 to ensure that termination of a nonparental relative's rights does not eliminate the court's obligation to give preferential consideration to persons related by blood or adoption over nonrelated caregivers.

Makes conforming amendments to Arkansas Codes § 9-27-341, § 9-27-355, and § 9-28-105 to apply the same relative placement preference standards consistently across foster care, adoption, and guardianship proceedings.