Arkansas Law

§ 12-12-507. Reports of suspected abuse or neglect.

(a) Any person with reasonable cause to suspect child maltreatment or that a child has died as a result of child maltreatment, or who observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in child maltreatment, may immediately notify the child abuse hotline.

(b) When any physician, surgeon, coroner, dentist, osteopath, resident intern, licensed nurse, medical personnel who may be engaged in admission, examination, care, or treatment of persons, teacher, school official, school counselor, social worker, family service worker, day care center worker, or any other child or foster care worker, mental health professional, peace officer, law enforcement official, prosecuting attorney, or judge has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been subjected to child maltreatment, or that a child has died as a result of child maltreatment, or who observes the child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in child maltreatment, he shall immediately notify the child abuse hotline.

(c) No privilege or contract shall relieve anyone required by this subchapter to make notification of the requirement of making notification.

(d) In the event that the child abuse hotline receives notification that a client or a resident of any facility licensed or registered by the State of Arkansas has been subjected to child maltreatment while at such facility, the child abuse hotline shall immediately notify that facility's licensing or registering authority of its receipt of initial notification of suspected maltreatment.

(e)(1) When a person, agency, corporation, or partnership then providing substitute care for any child in the custody of the department or a department employee or employee's spouse or other person residing in the home is reported as being suspected of child maltreatment, the investigation shall be conducted pursuant to procedures established by the department.

    (2)(A) Such procedures shall include referral of allegations to the Department of Arkansas State Police or appropriate law enforcement agency should the allegation involve severe maltreatment.

         (B) The investigating agency shall immediately notify local law enforcement of all reports of severe maltreatment.

History. Acts 1991, No. 1208, §§ 3, 4; 1993, No. 1126, § 6; 1995, No. 1341, §§ 7, 8; 1999, No. 214, § 1.