§ 20-78-215 - Child sexual abuse -- Federal funds. - Arkansas Statutes

20-78-215. Child sexual abuse -- Federal funds.

(a) (1) By the enactment of this section, it is the specific intent of the General Assembly to ensure that the State of Arkansas may qualify for the maximum amount of federal funds made available through Pub. L. 98-473 or any subsequent and related federal legislation enacted for use in reducing the incidence of child sexual abuse.

(2) Specifically, regulations promulgated by the Director of the Department of Human Services pursuant to this section may address federally mandated requirements for employment history and background checks and nationwide criminal record checks, as may be necessary in accordance with the provisions of Pub. L. 92-544, for all operators, staff, or employees, or prospective operators, staff, or employees of the child care facilities or programs as defined in this section.

(b) In order to enable the State of Arkansas to fully participate and share in federal funds made available to the states through the Social Services Block Grant Act, or otherwise for the purposes of reducing and eliminating the incidence of child sexual abuse in child care facilities, as defined in 20-78-202(4), the director is authorized at his or her discretion to promulgate, pursuant to the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, 25-15-201 et seq., rules and regulations implementing such federal requirements as may be placed upon the states to qualify for the funds.

(c) Persons, other than the State of Arkansas, shall not acquire actionable right by virtue of this section.