HB1372 Summary

• Creates new Arkansas Code § 12-18-508 requiring the Department of Human Services and Department of Arkansas State Police to immediately notify applicable military family advocacy programs when child maltreatment reports involve active duty service members as alleged victims or offenders.

• Expands notification requirements to include reports of child maltreatment occurring during Department of Defense-conducted activities or at DoD-operated facilities, including military installations, recruiting locations, schools, daycares, and youth programs.

• Defines "active duty service member" as military personnel on full-time duty in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, or Air Force, and "child" as biological, adopted, step, foster children, or wards of such members.

• Authorizes the Department of Human Services and State Police to promulgate rules and enter memoranda of understanding with the Department of Defense to implement required notifications.

• Amends multiple sections of Arkansas Code Title 12, Chapter 18 to allow family advocacy programs and military authority designees to receive information on pending investigations, completed investigations, true reports, and screened-out/unsubstantiated reports related to child maltreatment cases they are notified about.