reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
AR Code § 9-28-201 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 2 - Youth Services|§ 9-28-201. Legislative intent and purpose

 (a) The General Assembly recognizes that the state has a responsibility to provide its youth with appropriate services and programs to help decrease the number of juvenile offenders in the state and to create a better future for the state's youth and that reforms in the juvenile justice system require oversight by an organization with special expertise in the problems of juvenile offenders. Therefore, the General Assembly declares that this subchapter is necessary to create a single entity within the Department of Human Services with primary responsibility for coordinating, sponsoring, and providing services to Arkansas's youth and to create a structure within state government that will be responsive to the needs of the state's youth.  (b) The purposes of this subchapter include without limitation to:  (1) Maintain public safety and improve outcomes for Arkansas youth and families involved in the juvenile justice system through validated risk assessments;  (2) Reduce the number of secure out-of-home placements;  (3) Redirect funding from secure residential facilities to evidence-based community services; and  (4) Enhance treatment for youth committed to the Division of Youth Services.
AR Code § 9-28-202 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 2 - Youth Services|§ 9-28-202. Creation of the Division of Youth Services — Director

 (a) There is hereby created the Division of Youth Services within the Department of Human Services.  (b)  (1) The Governor may appoint the Director of the Division of Youth Services or may delegate that function to the Secretary of the Department of Human Services.  (2) The director shall report to the secretary.
AR Code § 9-28-204 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 2 - Youth Services|§ 9-28-204. Observation and assessment center

 (a) The Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services shall establish and maintain an observation and assessment center for the reception, orientation, classification, and adjustment evaluation of all youths committed to the division.  (b)  (1) The staff of the center shall be provided by the division or its designee.  (2) The staff shall consist of the professional and clerical personnel as are necessary to perform the functions of the center as provided in this section.    (c) The center shall be a secure facility and shall be equipped to hold committed youths for such period of time as necessary to provide for orientation, diagnosis, evaluation, and classification of a youth.
AR Code § 9-28-206 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 2 - Youth Services|§ 9-28-206. Disposition of delinquent juvenile

 (a) When a circuit court or any other court having jurisdiction of a juvenile under eighteen (18) years of age finds a juvenile to be delinquent as defined by the laws of this state, the court may commit the juvenile to the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services for an indeterminate period not to exceed the twenty-first birthday of the juvenile.  (b) No court may commit a juvenile found solely in criminal contempt to the division.
AR Code § 9-28-207 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 2 - Youth Services|§ 9-28-207. Commitment to the Division of Youth Services

 (a) When any youth is committed to the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services as authorized in this section, the youth shall be under the exclusive care, physical custody, and control of the division from the time of the lawful reception of the youth by a youth services center until the youth is released from the physical custody of the division.  (b) The fact that a youth has been committed to the division shall not be received in evidence in any court in this state in any subsequent proceeding affecting the youth, except as otherwise provided by law.
AR Code § 9-28-209 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 2 - Youth Services|§ 9-28-209. Commitment conditions and terms

 (a)  (1) Upon commitment to the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services, a youth shall be delivered to the observation and assessment center for orientation, classification, diagnosis, and evaluation.  (2) Upon completion of such orientation, classification, diagnosis, and evaluation, the staff of the observation and assessment center shall make recommendations to the Director of the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services with respect to the placement of a youth.    (b) Upon receipt of the recommendations, the director shall determine whether a youth shall be placed in a youth services center or facility or any program operated by the Department of Human Services.  (c)  (1) If the division determines that a youth shall be retained in any of the facilities or programs, it shall consider the youth's physical condition, mental attitude and capacity, prognosis for successful rehabilitation, and such other criteria as the division shall establish in order to place the youth in the most appropriate facility or program as determined by the division.  (2) If the division determines that a youth is not suited for placement in a youth services center or facility, it shall report its findings to the committing court along with information regarding the placement of the youth.    (d) The division has the authority to move a youth at any time within its system of youth services centers or facilities and community-based programs or within the department's programs or facilities.
AR Code § 9-28-211 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 2 - Youth Services|§ 9-28-211. Escape from youth services center or facilities

 (a) If any delinquent youth committed to the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services escapes or absents himself or herself from a youth services center or facility without authorization, he or she may be returned to the facility by a law enforcement officer without further proceedings.  (b) No law enforcement officer, Department of Human Services' State Institutional System Board member, division employee, or other person shall be subject to suit or held criminally or civilly liable for his or her actions provided he or she acts in good faith and without malice in the apprehension and return of escapees.
AR Code § 9-28-212 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 2 - Youth Services|§ 9-28-212. Sale of goods produced at youth services centers — Disposition of funds

 All funds derived from the sale of agricultural products, livestock, or manufactured articles, or from other activities carried on at the youth services centers or facilities shall be deposited into the State Treasury in the Youth Services Fund Account of the Department of Human Services Fund to be used exclusively for the support of the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services.
AR Code § 9-28-214 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 2 - Youth Services|§ 9-28-214. Penalty for escape

 (a) If charged and found guilty as an adult for first degree escape, § 5-54-110, or second degree escape, § 5-54-111, a juvenile shall be given a mandatory sentence of not less than nine (9) months in an appropriate facility of the Division of Correction.  (b) If adjudicated delinquent for first degree escape, § 5-54-110, or second degree escape, § 5-54-111, a juvenile shall be committed to the Division of Youth Services and placed in a more restricted facility in order to complete the remaining term of his or her commitment, provided that if the juvenile escaped from the most restricted facility, the juvenile shall complete the remaining term of his or her commitment at that or a similar facility.  (c) The juvenile may receive credit for time served.
AR Code § 9-28-215 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 2 - Youth Services|§ 9-28-215. Departure without authorization — Release of information — Definition

 (a) As used in this section, “identifying and descriptive information” means any information pertaining to a juvenile that is necessary to safeguard public safety and aid in the apprehension of the juvenile, including without limitation:  (1) A photo of the juvenile;  (2) The name of the juvenile;  (3) The age of the juvenile; and  (4) A felony offense for which the juvenile is committed to the custody of the Division of Youth Services.    (b)  (1) When a juvenile who is committed to the custody of the Division of Youth Services leaves his or her assigned placement without authorization, the Director of the Division of Youth Services or his or her designee shall release the identifying and descriptive information of the juvenile to the general public if the juvenile:  (A) Is committed to the Division of Youth Services for an offense that would be a felony if the offense were committed by an adult;  (B) Poses a serious threat to public safety or a member of the public; or  (C) Is at a heightened risk of harm if he or she is not apprehended immediately due to his or her age, disability, medical condition, mental capacity, or another emergency circumstance.    (2) The Division of Youth Services shall release identifying and descriptive information to the general public if the juvenile is committed to the Division of Youth Services under extended juvenile jurisdiction.  (3) The Division of Youth Services shall promulgate rules detailing the factors to be considered in determining when identifying and descriptive information may be released.    (c) When a juvenile departs without authorization from the Arkansas State Hospital, if at the time of departure the juvenile is committed as a result of an acquittal, for mental disease or defect, of an offense for which the juvenile could have been tried as an adult, the Director of the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services shall release to the general public the name, age, and description of the juvenile and any other pertinent information he or she deems necessary to aid in the apprehension of the juvenile and safeguard the public welfare.  (d) When a juvenile departs without authorization from a local juvenile detention facility, if at the time of departure the juvenile is committed or detained for an offense for which the juvenile could have been tried as an adult, the director of the juvenile detention facility shall release to the general public the name, age, and description of the juvenile and any other pertinent information the director deems necessary to aid in the apprehension of the juvenile and safeguard the public welfare.
AR Code § 9-28-216 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 2 - Youth Services|§ 9-28-216. Separation of juvenile offenders — Rules — Review

 (a) The Division of Youth Services shall promulgate rules to require the separation of juvenile offenders committed to a facility operated by the division based upon:  (1) The age of the juvenile offender;  (2) The seriousness of the crime or crimes committed by the juvenile offender; or  (3) Whether the juvenile offender has been adjudicated delinquent of a sex offense as defined under § 12-12-903.    (b) No rule pertaining to the separation of juvenile offenders promulgated hereafter by the division shall be effective until reviewed by the Legislative Council, the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs, and the Senate Interim Committee on Children and Youth, or appropriate subcommittees thereof, of the General Assembly.
AR Code § 9-28-401 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 4 - Child Welfare Agency Licensing Act|§ 9-28-401. Short title

 This subchapter shall be known as the “Child Welfare Agency Licensing Act”.
AR Code § 9-28-404 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 4 - Child Welfare Agency Licensing Act|§ 9-28-404. Child Welfare Agency Review Board — Composition

 (a) The Child Welfare Agency Review Board shall consist of Arkansas residents who shall be qualified as follows:  (1) The director of the division within the Department of Human Services designated by the Secretary of the Department of Human Services to administer this subchapter or his or her designee;  (2) One (1) representative from a privately owned, licensed child placement agency with expertise in foster care;  (3) One (1) representative from a privately owned, licensed child placement agency with expertise in adoptions;  (4) Two (2) representatives from licensed residential childcare facilities;  (5) One (1) representative from a licensed psychiatric residential treatment facility;  (6) One (1) representative from a licensed emergency shelter; and  (7) One (1) representative from the public at large.    (b) Members shall be appointed by the Governor for four-year terms expiring on March 1 of the appropriate year, except that in making initial appointments, one (1) of the members representing licensed child placement agencies and the member representing the public at large shall serve for two (2) years and two (2) of the members representing residential facilities shall serve for three (3) years.  (c) Members of the board shall serve without compensation, but each member of the board shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses for necessary meals, lodging, and mileage in attending board meetings, to be payable from funds appropriated for the maintenance and operation of the department.  (d) The members of the board shall select a chair from among its voting membership.
AR Code § 9-28-408 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 4 - Child Welfare Agency Licensing Act|§ 9-28-408. Church-related exemption — Definition

 (a)  (1) Any church or group of churches exempt from the state income tax levied by the Income Tax Act of 1929, § 26-51-101 et seq., when operating a child welfare agency shall be exempt from obtaining a license to operate the facility by the receipt by the Child Welfare Agency Review Board of written request therefor, together with the written verifications required in subsection (b) of this section.  (2) A written request shall be made by those churches desiring exemption to the board, which is mandated under the authority of this subchapter to license all child welfare agencies.    (b)  (1) In order to maintain an exempt status, the child welfare agency shall state every two (2) years in written form signed by the persons in charge that the agency has met the fire, safety, and health inspections and is in substantial compliance with published standards that similar nonexempt child welfare agencies are required to meet.  (2) Visits to review and advise exempt agencies shall be made as deemed necessary by the board to verify and maintain substantial compliance with all published standards for nonexempt agencies.  (3) Standards for substantial compliance shall not include those of a religious or curriculum nature so long as the health, safety, and welfare of the child are not endangered.    (c)  (1) Any questions of substantial compliance with the published standards shall be reviewed by the board.  (2) Final administrative actions of the board shall be pursued by either party in the court of competent jurisdiction in the resident county of the facility under review.  (3) Challenge to the constitutionality or reasonableness of any rule or statute may be made prior to any appeal under the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq.    (d)  (1) As used in this section, the term “substantial compliance” and the term “is being operated in accordance with this subchapter” shall each mean that a church-operated exempt or a nonexempt child welfare agency is being operated within the minimum requirements for substantial compliance as promulgated by the board.  (2) It is the intent and purpose of this section that the term “substantial compliance” be applicable to all child welfare agencies.
AR Code § 9-28-415 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 4 - Child Welfare Agency Licensing Act|§ 9-28-415. Foster home — Care requirements and limitations

 (a) A foster home shall:  (1) Provide substitute care within a family-like setting on a twenty-four-hour basis for any child placed in the foster home by a child placement agency;  (2) Adhere to the reasonable and prudent parent standard, as that standard is defined by Pub. L. No. 113-183, in the care of any child placed in the foster home by a child placement agency; and  (3) Be the primary residence of the individual or family that is owned, rented, sublet, or leased by the individual or family.    (b) A child placement agency may own and support the foster home if the foster home is the primary residence of the individual or family and the foster home meets all other licensing requirements under this subchapter.  (c) A foster home shall not provide care for more than six (6) children in foster care unless providing care for additional children will allow:  (1) A parenting youth in foster care to remain with his or her child;  (2) Siblings in foster care to remain together;  (3) A child with an established meaningful relationship with a family to remain with the family; or  (4) A family with special training or skills to provide care to a child who has a severe disability.
AR Code § 9-28-601 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 6 - Therapeutic Group Homes and Independent Living Programs|§ 9-28-601. Legislative intent

 In a significant number of cases, the health, safety, welfare, and basic emotional needs of children are not being met by remaining with their families. In certain situations, therapeutic group homes and independent living programs can provide the sense of structure, continuity, stability, and the positive role models that are necessary for a child to become a productive citizen, and these alternative living environments are far less expensive than maintaining a child in the penal system. Therefore, it is the intent of this legislation to establish independent living programs for youths in strategic areas throughout Arkansas for the purpose of intervention.
AR Code § 9-28-602 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 6 - Therapeutic Group Homes and Independent Living Programs|§ 9-28-602. Definitions

 As used in this subchapter:   (1) “Division” means the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services;  (2) “Independent living programs” means residential and nonresidential services provided to youths that may include, but not be limited to:  (A) Intensive case management;  (B) Adult supervision;  (C) Transportation;  (D) Vocational and educational assistance; and  (E) Counseling, including substance abuse counseling; and    (3) “Therapeutic group homes” means small family-like group living facilities that include supportive services to remedy social and behavioral problems of the youths served.
AR Code § 9-28-603 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 6 - Therapeutic Group Homes and Independent Living Programs|§ 9-28-603. Establishment

 (a) The Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services will issue requests for proposals for contracts for the establishment of independent living programs.  (b) The programs shall:  (1) Provide case management, adult supervision, and treatment services for participant youths, as outlined in an individual case plan;  (2) Provide a continuum of treatment services in order to enable youths to be increasingly less dependent on public institutions and ultimately to live successfully without adult supervision;  (3) Establish a minimum of ten (10) independent living programs within Arkansas;  (4) Maintain a record of all services provided in individual client files;  (5) Gather follow-up data on all participants for a minimum of three (3) years after termination of services for evaluation purposes; and  (6) Provide an annual report to the division and the Senate Interim Committee on Children and Youth and the Subcommittee on Children and Youth of the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs summarizing outcome data in areas related to educational achievement, employment, and criminal justice contact of the participants and other information as requested by the division.
AR Code § 9-28-701 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 9 - Family Law|Subtitle 3 - Minors|Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention|Subchapter 7 - Community-Based Sanctions|§ 9-28-701. Legislative findings

 (a) Presently circuit judges must often choose between imposing no sanction at all or committing juveniles to the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services. Judges should have punitive options available as alternatives to confinement. Therefore, it is the intent of the General Assembly that a continuum of graduated sanctions be available in every judicial district in Arkansas and that the division provide for a continuum of sanctions that may be imposed in the community in lieu of commitment to the division in every situation.  (b) Further, the General Assembly recognizes that sanctions are usually not effective unless the sanctions are coupled with treatment and intervention services that address the underlying problems of the youth and his or her family. It is for this reason the General Assembly has provided that the community-based sanctions program be implemented by the division as part of its community-based provider contracts, and that any and all funds specifically appropriated to implement this subchapter are in addition to those funds provided for other prevention intervention, therapeutic, and family services and shall be added to existing community-based contracts without further request for proposal, but must be spent exclusively to implement and support community-based sanctions.