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Committee reviews multiple DHS/DCFS rule packets: childcare licensing, CAPTA referrals, trial home placements, subsidized guardianship and registry rules
Summary
Committee reviewed and voted to review/approve multiple rule packets updating minimum childcare licensing (Act 530), CAPTA‑related referrals for infants affected by prenatal drug exposure, trial home placement rules, expansion of subsidized guardianship to fictive kin, and procedural central registry review requirements under Act 802. Members asked questions about background check automation, funding and guardianship usage.
The Senate Children and Youth Committee reviewed several rule packets filed by DHS and DCFS to align department policy with statutory changes enacted in the 2019 regular session and federal guidance.
Childcare licensing (Exhibit D): Mark White, Ashlyn Abney and Kelly Hilburn described updates to minimum licensing requirements driven by Act 530 of 2019 and the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). The changes explicitly add child‑maltreatment mandated‑reporter language, expand criminal background check and job‑training references and add disaster‑preparedness expectations. Committee members asked about a provision that currently requires prospective staff to wait for Arkansas State Police background checks (which can take up to 30 days); Abney said DHS expects an automation rollout with the State Police in mid‑January to shorten turnaround times. The committee reviewed and carried D, D‑1, D‑2 and D‑3 by voice…
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