AR SB556

Creates a legislative Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee with 18 members to review completed child maltreatment investigations and service delivery by the Division of Children and Family Services and Crimes Against Children Division.

Committee membership includes directors of relevant agencies, attorneys, judges, foster parents, former foster children, parents with child welfare experience, and legislative representatives selected by House and Senate committee chairs.

Establishes committee meetings as closed sessions exempt from public observation under the Freedom of Information Act, with confidential information protected from disclosure except by legislative members to other legislators and the Governor.

Requires the committee to submit annual reports with findings and recommendations to relevant legislative committees while prohibiting identification of investigation subjects or reporters.

Repeals the previous child abuse hotline oversight system and amends multiple confidentiality provisions to allow the oversight committee access to child maltreatment data and records in closed meetings.