AR HB1912

Department of Human Services employees must video and audio record all in-person interactions and verbal communications with parents, children, relatives, or other relevant persons during juvenile code investigations if details will be included in case files or offered as evidence in court proceedings.

Before recording, employees must advise subjects that they are not required to speak, any statements may be used against them in civil or criminal proceedings, and they have the right to seek legal counsel before making statements.

Departments must catalog and preserve recordings in a readily reviewable format, provide recordings to requesting courts or parties within 14 days of written request, and deliver recordings at least 10 days before scheduled hearings or 24 hours before probable cause/emergency hearings.

Written summaries or testimony about recording content cannot be accepted as evidence unless the actual recording is provided to the requester within the specified timeframe.

Departments must develop rules addressing equipment operation and maintenance, replacement of defective equipment, when recording is required, retention duration, and documentation procedures when recordings are not captured as required; recordings maintain the same confidentiality protections as other departmental records.