AR SB326

Redefines "neglect" to require a pattern of acts or omissions rather than isolated incidents, and specifies that neglect requires a persistent pattern of family functioning where the caregiver has not met basic needs resulting in harm to the child

Adds new "best interest of the child" factors including family integrity, child health and safety, timely permanency decisions, and ensuring the child becomes a self-sufficient adult, while establishing that children should remain with families when safe and government intervention should be temporary

Requires the Child Abuse Hotline to evaluate risk of harm using a standardized assessment tool considering family history, child's age, reporter relationship, and risk level after accepting a report

Restricts who may file dependency-neglect or family in need of services petitions to parents, guardians, custodians, counselors, school principals, or their designees (removing "any adult" and family members age 10+)

Prohibits placing children in protective custody when the allegation is neglect without immediate danger, when risk can be mitigated with services, or when based on poor school attendance, parental financial inability, or need for behavioral health/developmental disability services