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(a) The General Assembly finds that the requirements with which the state must comply pursuant to the consent decree from Angela R., et al. v. Bill Clinton, et al. and the Arkansas Child Welfare Reform Document demand close observation and study; that the future of the state’s children and youth relies heavily on compliance with the decree; that the financial security of the state is in jeopardy if the state has difficulty or is unable to comply with the consent decree because of the voluminous number of lawsuits that could ensue; that the state has a responsibility to protect children and youth from harm and ensure their healthy development; that the Child Welfare Compliance and Oversight Committee will cease to exist on December 31, 1994; that in order to protect the interests of the state, it is crucial that oversight of child welfare issues continue; that oversight by a committee that focuses specifically on problems relating to children and youth would be the most advantageous manner of monitoring compliance with the consent decree and related problems. Therefore, it is declared to be the intent of the General Assembly to require the Senate Interim Committee on Children and Youth to monitor compliance with the consent decree, to report annually regarding compliance, and to review all bills pertaining to the safety, health, mental health, development, and problems of children and youth.
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(b) The Senate Interim Committee on Children and Youth shall make a report at least annually regarding the state’s compliance with the Arkansas Child Welfare Reform Document and review all bills pertaining to the safety, health, mental health, development, and problems of children and youth. The report shall be made available to all members of the General Assembly.
