Ark. Code Ann. § 16-80-104: Comprehensive mental health evaluation for a minor convicted of capital murder or murder in the first degree

(a) If a comprehensive mental health evaluation is not performed at the request of the minor convicted of capital murder, § 5-10-101 , or murder in the first degree, § 5-10-102 , before his or her trial or before he or she is sentenced, the circuit court shall ensure that a comprehensive mental health evaluation is conducted on the minor by an adolescent mental health professional licensed in the state before the minor's entry into the Division of Correction for a sentence of life imprisonment. (b) A comprehensive mental health evaluation ordered under this section shall include without limitation the following information concerning the minor: (1) Family interviews; (2) Prenatal history; (3) Developmental history; (4) Medical history; (5) History of treatment for substance use; (6) Social history; and (7) A psychological evaluation. (c) A comprehensive mental health evaluation conducted under this section: (1) Is not admissible into evidence at a trial or sentencing over the objections of the minor; and (2) Shall be included in any documentation or inmate file kept by the Division of Correction or, if the minor is eventually supervised on parole or post-release supervision, the Division of Community Correction. Amended by Act 2023, No. 659,§ 122, eff. 1/1/2024. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 858, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 857, eff. 7/1/2019. Added by Act 2017, No. 539,§ 8, eff. 3/20/2017.

(a) If a comprehensive mental health evaluation is not performed at the request of the minor convicted of capital murder, § 5-10-101 , or murder in the first degree, § 5-10-102 , before his or her trial or before he or she is sentenced, the circuit court shall ensure that a comprehensive mental health evaluation is conducted on the minor by an adolescent mental health professional licensed in the state before the minor's entry into the Division of Correction for a sentence of life imprisonment.

(b) A comprehensive mental health evaluation ordered under this section shall include without limitation the following information concerning the minor: (1) Family interviews; (2) Prenatal history; (3) Developmental history; (4) Medical history; (5) History of treatment for substance use; (6) Social history; and (7) A psychological evaluation.

(1) Family interviews;

(2) Prenatal history;

(3) Developmental history;

(4) Medical history;

(5) History of treatment for substance use;

(6) Social history; and

(7) A psychological evaluation.

(c) A comprehensive mental health evaluation conducted under this section: (1) Is not admissible into evidence at a trial or sentencing over the objections of the minor; and (2) Shall be included in any documentation or inmate file kept by the Division of Correction or, if the minor is eventually supervised on parole or post-release supervision, the Division of Community Correction.

(1) Is not admissible into evidence at a trial or sentencing over the objections of the minor; and

(2) Shall be included in any documentation or inmate file kept by the Division of Correction or, if the minor is eventually supervised on parole or post-release supervision, the Division of Community Correction.