§ 9-5-101. Title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Arkansas Child Safety Center Act”.
§ 9-5-102. Statewide purpose
The statewide purpose of this chapter is to establish a program that provides a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, nonprofit, and coordinated response to the investigation of sexual abuse of children and serious physical abuse of children in a child-focused and child-friendly facility known as a “child safety center”.
§ 9-5-103. Definitions
As used in this chapter: (1) (A) “Child safety center” means a not-for-profit child-friendly facility that provides a location for forensic interviews and forensic medical examinations and ensures access for specialized mental health services during the course of a child maltreatment investigation. (B) A “child safety center” is commonly known as a child advocacy center; […]
§ 9-5-104. Duties of the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission
(a) Regarding the administration of the Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center 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 child safety center for compliance with the program, fiscal, and training requirements under this […]
§ 9-5-105. Receipt of money
Under this chapter and in the administration of the Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center 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 individual if the acceptance would obligate the State of Arkansas except to the extent that money is available in […]
§ 9-5-106. Disbursement of funds
(a) The Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission may disburse money appropriated from the Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center Fund exclusively for the following purposes: (1) To satisfy contractual obligations made to perform its duties under this section; (2) To make grants to child safety centers that meet the requirements of this section; and (3) To compensate […]
§ 9-5-107. Program requirements
Each child safety center shall: (1) Provide a comfortable, private, child-friendly setting that is both physically and psychologically safe for diverse populations of children and their families; (2) Be a part of a multidisciplinary team; (3) Have a nonprofit entity responsible for program, fiscal operations established, and implement best administrative practices; (4) Promote policies, practices, […]
§ 9-5-108. Access to specialized medical examinations and psychological examinations
(a) The child safety centers shall provide or provide access to specialized medical examinations and psychological examinations for their clients, to the extent funding is appropriated and available. (b) Medical providers operating under this chapter shall be capable of performing: (A) A complete medical history; (B) An evaluation of a child or an adolescent for […]
§ 9-5-109. Eligibility for contracts
(a) A public entity or a nonprofit entity is eligible for a contract under § 9-5-107 if the entity: (1) Has a signed memorandum of understanding as provided by § 9-5-110; (2) Operates under the authority of a governing board; (3) Participates on a multidisciplinary team of persons involved in the investigation or prosecution of […]
§ 9-5-110. Interagency memorandum of understanding
(a) Before a child safety center may be established under this chapter, a memorandum of understanding regarding the agreement on the levels of participation of each entity shall be executed among: (1) The Division of Children and Family Services of the Department of Human Services; (2) The Crimes Against Children Division of the Division of […]
§ 9-5-111. Fiscal requirements
Every child safety center 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 of 1986, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3), as it existed on January 1, 2007, and that has the primary purpose of providing services to child victims of child […]
§ 9-5-112. Right of entry
The Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission or its designee may enter the premises of a child safety center at any time to ensure compliance with this chapter and the rules promulgated by the commission under this chapter.
§ 9-5-113. Reports
The Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission or its designee shall provide an annual report by March 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 […]
§ 9-5-114. Admissibility of statements by an alleged child victim
Nothing in this chapter precludes the admissibility of statements by an alleged child victim outside the scope of the forensic interview conducted at a child safety center, provided that sufficient safeguards are present to satisfy the admissibility requirements set forth in the Arkansas Rules of Evidence, relevant case law, and constitutional requirements.
§ 9-5-115. Immunity from civil liability
The Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission and its employees in their official capacities shall be immune from civil liability for performing their duties under this chapter.