AR SB848

Administrative Office of the Courts shall work with circuit courts to implement a validated risk and needs assessment for juvenile delinquency disposition hearings and treatment plans.

Juvenile division circuit court judges may designate a trained juvenile intake or probation officer to conduct the risk and needs assessment.

Officers conducting assessments must interview the juvenile and their parent, guardian, or custodian, and information gathered shall be confidential and not used against the juvenile in the delinquency proceeding.

Risk and needs assessments must be provided to necessary parties seven (7) days in advance of the disposition hearing and shall not discuss offenses for which the juvenile is currently charged.

Courts may order updated assessments when significant changes occur in the juvenile's treatment plan, with revisions provided seven (7) days in advance of court hearings, and assessments may be shared with Division of Youth Services personnel and other designated service providers.