§ 9-6-101. Title

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

§ 9-6-102. Definitions

As used in this chapter: (1) “Advocate” means an employee, supervisor, or administrator of a shelter; (2) “Dating relationship” means a romantic or intimate social relationship between two (2) individuals that is not a casual relationship or an ordinary fraternization in a business or social context and that is determined by examining the following factors: […]

§ 9-6-103. Establishment — Purpose and criteria

(a) The Department of Finance and Administration shall establish the Arkansas Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Program to assist in the funding of domestic violence shelters in Arkansas. (b) The purpose and criteria of the program is to: (1) Annually evaluate each shelter receiving funds under this chapter for compliance with the program, fiscal, and training […]

§ 9-6-104. Receipt of money

Except to the extent that moneys are available in the Domestic Violence Shelter Fund, a statewide domestic violence entity that receives a grant under this chapter shall not accept money or other assistance from the United States Government or any other entity or person if the acceptance would obligate the State of Arkansas.

§ 9-6-105. Determination of grant awards

(a) The Department of Finance and Administration shall: (1) Establish the criteria for grant applications and awards in accordance with § 9-6-103(b); (2) Review and grant or deny all or part of a grant application submitted under this chapter in accordance with § 9-6-103(b); and (3) Retain oversight of all grant expenditures under this chapter. […]

§ 9-6-106. Operational requirements of shelters receiving domestic violence shelter funds

A statewide domestic violence entity that receives a grant under this chapter shall distribute funds to a shelter if the shelter: (1) Develops and implements a written nondiscrimination policy to provide services without regard to race, religion, color, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, or sexual orientation; (2) Provides a facility that is open, accessible, […]

§ 9-6-107. Fiscal requirements

A statewide domestic violence entity that receives a grant under this chapter shall distribute funds to a shelter if the shelter: (1) Incorporates in this state as a private nonprofit corporation that is exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3), and that has the primary purpose of providing services to […]

§ 9-6-108. Training requirements

A statewide domestic violence entity that receives a grant under this chapter shall distribute funds to a shelter if the shelter: (1) (A) Requires each member of its board of directors to attend an orientation that is administered by a statewide domestic violence entity and approved by the Department of Finance and Administration or its […]

§ 9-6-109. Right of entry

A statewide domestic violence entity that receives a grant under this chapter shall have the right to enter and inspect the premises of a shelter receiving funds under this chapter and perform an annual evaluation or otherwise determine compliance with this chapter.

§ 9-6-110. Reports

The Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration or his or her 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 […]

§ 9-6-111. Disclosure of information

Information from files, reports, evaluations, inspections, or other sources that is received by the Department of Finance and Administration and its employees and designees or by a statewide domestic violence entity that receives funds under this chapter and its employees and designees is confidential and shall not be disclosed publicly in a manner that identifies […]

§ 9-6-112. Privileged communications made by victim of domestic violence — Definitions

(a) As used in this section: (1) “Advocate for victims of domestic violence” means an employee, supervisor, administrator, or volunteer of a shelter or center for victims of domestic violence authorized and regulated under this chapter; (2) “Communication” means verbal, written, or electronic communications of any kind; (3) “Deviate sexual activity” means the same as […]