{"data":{"id":"us-ar/ark.-code-ann.-12-18-102","jurisdiction":"us-ar","citation":"Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-102","heading":"Purpose","body":"The purpose of this chapter is to: (1) Provide a system for the reporting of known or suspected child maltreatment; (2) Ensure the immediate screening, safety assessment, and prompt investigation of reports of known or suspected child maltreatment; (3) Ensure that immediate steps are taken to: (A) Protect a maltreated child and any other child under the same care who may also be in danger of maltreatment; and (B) Place a child whose health or physical well-being is in immediate danger in a safe environment; (4) Provide immunity from criminal prosecution for an individual making a good faith report of suspected child maltreatment; (5) Preserve the confidentiality of all records in order to protect the rights of the child and of the child's parents or guardians; (6) Encourage the cooperation of state law enforcement officials, courts, and state agencies in the investigation, assessment, prosecution, and treatment of child maltreatment; and (7) Stabilize the home environment if a child's health and safety are not at risk. Acts 2009, No. 749, § 1; 2011, No. 1143, § 1.\n\nThe purpose of this chapter is to:\n\n(1) Provide a system for the reporting of known or suspected child maltreatment;\n\n(2) Ensure the immediate screening, safety assessment, and prompt investigation of reports of known or suspected child maltreatment;\n\n(3) Ensure that immediate steps are taken to: (A) Protect a maltreated child and any other child under the same care who may also be in danger of maltreatment; and (B) Place a child whose health or physical well-being is in immediate danger in a safe environment;\n\n(A) Protect a maltreated child and any other child under the same care who may also be in danger of maltreatment; and\n\n(B) Place a child whose health or physical well-being is in immediate danger in a safe environment;\n\n(4) Provide immunity from criminal prosecution for an individual making a good faith report of suspected child maltreatment;\n\n(5) Preserve the confidentiality of all records in order to protect the rights of the child and of the child's parents or guardians;\n\n(6) Encourage the cooperation of state law enforcement officials, courts, and state agencies in the investigation, assessment, prosecution, and treatment of child maltreatment; and\n\n(7) Stabilize the home environment if a child's health and safety are not at risk.","path":["AR Code","Title 12","Chapter 18","Subchapter 1"],"source_url":"https://oss-data-us.vaquill.ai/v2026.08/us_ar_statutes.parquet","current_through":"2026-08-14","vintage":"open-us-law v2026.08, retrieved 2026-09-14","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T18:32:41Z","sha256":"ef3caaac085cdd43aa0ad6223055ff60ac3bbd84024531dc468200f328bac46c","source_id":"us-ar","stale":false,"prev":"us-ar/ark.-code-ann.-12-18-101","next":"us-ar/ark.-code-ann.-12-18-103"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}