Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 20 - PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE (§§ 20-2-101 — 20-86-113) › Subtitle 5 - SOCIAL SERVICES (§§ 20-76-101 — 20-86-113) › Chapter 78 - CHILD CARE (§§ 20-78-101 — 20-78-908) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 20-78-101 — 20-78-108) › Section 20-78-106 - Availability of records from children's advocacy centers during investigation of suspected cases of child abuse or neglect

(a)
Reports, correspondence, memoranda, case histories, medical records, or other materials compiled or gathered by a children's advocacy center shall be confidential and shall not be released or otherwise made available except:
(1)
To the attorney representing the abused child in a custody or juvenile case with an order of appointment or an order recognizing entry of appearance;
(2)
For any audit or similar activity conducted with the administration of any plan or program by any governmental agency that is authorized by law to conduct the audit or activity;
(3)
To law enforcement agencies, a prosecuting attorney, or the Attorney General;
(4)
To any licensing or registering authority to the extent necessary to carry out its official responsibilities, but the information shall be maintained as confidential;
(5)
To a grand jury or court upon a finding that:
(A)
Information in the record is necessary for the determination of a civil, criminal, or administrative issue before the court or grand jury; and
(B)
The information cannot be obtained from a person or entity described in subdivision (b)(2) of this section;
(6)
To the Department of Human Services;
(7)
To a court-appointed special advocate volunteer with a valid court order;
(8)
All records may be released to an attorney in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding or to a party in a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding if the party is not represented by an attorney as permitted under criminal, civil, or administrative discovery rules upon a finding by the court that:
(A)
Information in the record is necessary for the determination of a criminal, civil, or administrative issue before a court or grand jury; and
(B)
The information cannot be obtained from a person or entity described in subdivision (b)(2) of this section;
(9)
Medical records may be released to a person providing medical or psychiatric care or services to the abused child; and
(10)
For bona fide instructional purposes by Arkansas Children's Hospital, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, or a child advocacy center in the care, detection, treatment, and management of suspected child abuse and neglect.
(b)
(1)
Except as provided in subdivision (b)(2) of this section, no person or agency to whom disclosure is made may disclose to any other person reports or other information obtained under this section.
(2)
Law enforcement agencies, a prosecuting attorney, the department, a court of competent jurisdiction, or the Attorney General may release reports or information obtained under this section. However, any report or information released under this subsection shall remain confidential.
(c)
(1)
Nothing in this section shall deny or diminish the right of an attorney for a party or a party to a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding to receive discovery as provided in this section in order for the attorney or party to:
(A)
Prepare for trial;
(B)
File appropriate pleadings; or
(C)
Present evidence in court.
(2)
(A)
(i)
The circuit court shall issue protective orders under the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure or the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, as applicable, to ensure that those items of evidence for which there is a reasonable expectation of privacy and that otherwise should be sealed are not distributed to persons or institutions that have no legitimate interest in the evidence.
(ii)
There is a reasonable expectation of privacy in the following items:
(a)
Audio or videotapes of a child witness;
(b)
Photographs of a child witness;
(c)
Name of a child victim; and
(d)
Medical records of a child victim.
(B)
(i)
The administrative hearing officer or administrative law judge shall issue protective orders to ensure that those items of evidence for which there is a reasonable expectation of privacy and that otherwise should be sealed are not distributed to persons or institutions that have no legitimate interest in the evidence.
(ii)
There is a reasonable expectation of privacy in the following items:
(a)
Audio or videotapes of a child witness;
(b)
Photographs of a child witness;
(c)
Name of a child victim; and
(d)
Medical records of a child victim.
(C)
(i)
The circuit court may enforce the orders with criminal or civil contempt or sanctions, as appropriate.
(ii)
The circuit court may modify or vacate a protective order for good cause.
(iii)
If a protective order was entered and has not been vacated, the remedy for a violation of the protective order is limited to criminal or civil contempt or sanctions by the circuit court in which the protective order was entered.
(d)
Except for purposes of enforcement concerning violations of a protective order under subsection (c) of this section, disclosure of information in violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
Amended by Act 2017, No. 264,§ 5, eff. 8/1/2017.
Amended by Act 2015, No. 591,§ 2, eff. 7/22/2015.
Amended by Act 2015, No. 591,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015.
Amended by Act 2014, No. 294,§ 46, eff. 7/1/2014.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1174,§ 1, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 2005, No. 1764, § 1; 2009, No. 1366, § 1; 2011, No. 1126, §§ 1, 2.