Arkansas Law

§ 12-12-510. Investigative powers.

(a) The person conducting the investigation shall have the right to enter into or upon the home, school, or any other place for the purpose of conducting and interviewing or completing the investigation required by this subchapter.

(b) If necessary access or admission is denied, the department may petition the proper juvenile division of chancery court for an ex parte order of investigation requiring the parent, caretaker, or persons denying access to any place where the child may be to allow entrance for the interviews, examinations, and investigations.

(c) However, upon application to the court by the parents, caretaker, or persons denying access to the child showing good cause, the court may issue a written order to stay the order of investigation pending a hearing to be held within seventy-two (72) hours.

(d) The department shall investigate all allegations of child maltreatment without regard to the parent's practice of his religious beliefs and shall only consider whether the acts or omissions of the parent are abusive or neglectful as defined by the Arkansas Code.

(e) The person conducting the investigation shall have the right to inspect personnel records of employees and volunteers in any place where an allegation of child maltreatment has been reported as having occurred at that place but the alleged offender is unknown.

(f) The investigator shall have the discretion in the child's best interest to limit the persons allowed to be present when a child is being interviewed concerning allegations of child maltreatment.

History. Acts 1991, No. 1208, § 4; 1993, No. 1126, § 7; 1997, No. 1334, § 5; 1999, No. 1340, § 29.