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Senate approves companion juvenile-code bills to ease reinstatement and narrow maltreatment registry entries
Summary
SB 325 and SB 326 passed the Senate after sponsors said the measures give parents additional avenues to request reinstatement of parental rights, shorten timelines and narrow child-maltreatment registry entries when reunification succeeds.
The Arkansas Senate on March 25 approved two companion bills, SB 325 and SB 326, aimed at reforming juvenile-code procedures and the child-maltreatment registry. Sponsors presented the package as technically focused changes meant to help children languishing in the system and to limit registry entries when reunification has been successful.
Sponsor Senator Clark told colleagues that SB 325 would allow parents whose parental rights were terminated an additional option to petition for reinstatement earlier — moving the earliest possible petition from three years to two years after termination — for children who remain in state custody rather than being adopted. Clark said the change was designed for older youth who may remain in foster care and to allow parents who demonstrate substantial change to seek reunification.
SB 325 also proposes reforms to the child-maltreatment registry to emphasize findings of abuse or exploitation and to remove certain neglect entries after one year when reunification has been achieved and no further findings occurred. SB 326 clarifies standards in juvenile proceedings: narrowing who may file a FINS petition, creating clearer statutory definitions of neglect, and allowing prompt placements and limited short-term holds where there is immediate danger.
Committee testimony and floor remarks indicated little organized opposition. Senators discussed safeguards; proponents stressed that reinstatement would remain a strict, judicially supervised process that requires parents to prove change and be in the best interest of the child.
Votes: SB 325 passed on the floor by recorded vote (27 yay, 3 nay, 1 not voting, 3 present). SB 326 passed (30 yay, 3 nay, 1 present). Both bills were transmitted to the House.
Ending: Sponsors and supporters described the bills as targeted technical reforms intended to reduce registry overreach while preserving judicial checks and the "best interest of the child" standard. Implementation will rely on child-welfare agencies and courts following statutory changes.
