§ 12-18-602 - Initiation of the investigation. - Arkansas Statutes

12-18-602. Initiation of the investigation.

(a) (1) The Department of Human Services shall cause an investigation to be made upon receiving initial notification of suspected child maltreatment.

(b) (1) All investigations shall begin within seventy-two (72) hours.

(2) However, the investigation shall begin within twenty-four (24) hours if:

(A) The allegation is severe maltreatment, excluding an allegation of sexual abuse if the most recent allegation of sexual abuse was more than one (1) year ago and the alleged victim does not currently have contact with the alleged offender; or

(B) The allegation is that a child has been subjected to neglect as defined in 12-18-103(13)(B).

(c) At the initial time of contact with the alleged offender, the person conducting the investigation shall advise the alleged offender of the allegations made against the alleged offender in a manner that is consistent with the laws protecting the rights of the person who made the report.

(d) Upon initiation of the investigation, the primary focus of the investigation shall be whether or not the alleged offender has access to children and whether or not children are at risk such that children need to be protected.