§ 12-8-501 - Legislative intent. - Arkansas Statutes

12-8-501. Legislative intent.

(a) The General Assembly recognizes that:

(1) The state has a responsibility to provide competent and thorough child abuse investigations which are sensitive to the needs of children and families;

(2) It is difficult for caseworkers with the Department of Human Services, which is currently charged with the responsibilities of investigating child abuse and providing services to children and families, to separate their dual roles as investigators and service providers;

(3) Many studies show that child abuse investigations are compromised when these very different functions are not separated; and

(4) Child abuse is a crime and suspected child abuse should be investigated with due diligence by trained law enforcement officers.

(b) Therefore, it is declared to be the intent of this General Assembly to authorize the Department of Arkansas State Police to:

(1) Create a Crimes Against Children Division, either through transfer or by contract;

(2) Conduct investigations into severe child abuse as defined by interagency agreement; and

(3) Administer the Child Abuse Hotline.