§ 12-18-304 - Qualifying reports of certain types of physical abuse. - Arkansas Statutes

12-18-304. Qualifying reports of certain types of physical abuse.

(a) (1) The Child Abuse Hotline shall accept a report of physical abuse if any of the following intentional or knowing acts are alleged to occur:

(A) Throwing, kicking, burning, biting, or cutting a child;

(B) Striking a child with a closed fist;

(C) Shaking a child four (4) years of age or older; or

(D) Striking a child seven (7) years of age or older on the face or on the head.

(2) A report under this subsection shall not be determined to be true unless the child suffered an injury as the result of the act.

(b) The Child Abuse Hotline shall accept a report of physical abuse if any of the following intentional or knowing acts are alleged to occur:

(1) Shaking a child three (3) years of age or younger;

(2) Striking a child six (6) years of age or younger on the face or on the head;

(3) Interfering with a child's breathing; or

(4) Pinching, biting, or striking a child in the genital area.

(c) (1) The Child Abuse Hotline shall accept a report of physical abuse if a child suffers an injury as the result of a restraint.

(2) The report shall be determined not to be true if the injury is a minor temporary mark or causes transient pain and was an acceptable restraint as provided under this chapter.

(d) (1) The Child Abuse Hotline shall accept a report of physical abuse involving a bruise to a child even if at the time of the report the bruise is not visible if the bruising occurred:

(A) Within the past fourteen (14) days; and

(B) As a result of physical abuse as described under subsections (a)-(c) of this section.

(2) However, the report under this subsection shall not be determined to be true unless the existence of the bruise is corroborated.