§ 9-4-101. Title

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Arkansas Domestic Peace Act”.

§ 9-4-102. Definitions

As used in this chapter: (1) “Advocate” means an employee, supervisor, or administrator of a shelter; (2) “Commission” means the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission; (3) “Domestic abuse” means: (A) Physical harm, bodily injury, or assault between family or household members; (B) The infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, or assault between […]

§ 9-4-103. Duties of the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission

(a) Regarding the administration of the Domestic Peace Fund and an entity receiving funding under this chapter, the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission or its designee, to the extent funding is appropriated and available, shall: (1) Annually evaluate each shelter for compliance with the program, fiscal, and training requirements under this chapter; (2) Promulgate rules, […]

§ 9-4-104. Receipt of money

Under this chapter and in the administration of the Domestic Peace Fund, the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission shall not accept money or other assistance from the federal government or any other entity or person if the acceptance would obligate the State of Arkansas except to the extent that money is available in the fund.

§ 9-4-105. Disbursement of funds

(a) The Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission may disburse money appropriated from the Domestic Peace Fund exclusively for the following purposes: (1) To satisfy contractual obligations made to perform its duties under this section; (2) To make grants to shelters that meet the requirements of this section; and (3) To compensate the commission or its […]

§ 9-4-106. Program requirements

Every shelter shall: (1) Develop and implement a written nondiscrimination policy to provide services without regard to race, religion, color, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, or sexual preference; (2) Provide a facility that is open, accessible, and staffed by an advocate or a volunteer each day of the calendar year and twenty-four (24) hours […]

§ 9-4-107. Fiscal requirements

Every shelter shall: (1) Incorporate in this state as a private nonprofit corporation that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3), and that has the primary purpose of providing services to victims of domestic abuse or domestic violence; (2) Be governed by a board of directors; […]

§ 9-4-108. Training requirements

Every shelter shall: (1) (A) Require each member of its board of directors to attend an orientation approved by the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission or its designee within six (6) months after joining the board of directors. (B) The orientation shall include an explanation of the dynamics of domestic violence and the role of […]

§ 9-4-109. Right of entry

The Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission or its designee may enter and inspect the premises of a shelter to perform an annual evaluation or to otherwise determine compliance with this chapter.

§ 9-4-110. Reports

The Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission or its designee shall provide an annual report by October 1 of each year to the Chair of the Senate Interim Committee on Children and Youth and the Chair of the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs containing the following information: (1) The incidence […]

§ 9-4-111. Disclosure of information

Information received by the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission, its employees, or its designees through files, reports, evaluations, inspections, or otherwise shall be confidential information and shall not be disclosed publicly in a manner as to identify individuals or facilities.

§ 9-4-112. Immunity from civil liability

The Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission, its employees, and its designees shall be immune from civil liability for performing their duties under this chapter.