Representative David "Bubba" Powers

Meeting — March 1, 2012 (1:05)

Members, this is Senator Malone's resolution from on the other end, and this is simply taking this down and narrowing the focus. Many of you will recall that the media highlighted a deficiency in our statute that happened recently with a parole situation. And this is simply focusing in, this amendment is focusing in on that particular crime, sexual indecency with a child. This is with Senator Malone's blessing, and I appreciate a good vote.

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (1:23:32)

legislation he's referring to in regards to mental abuse of a child. It's already been voted on on the House floor this week.

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (1:20:29)

Representative, I have Mr. Thompson with me, and we're going to let him address

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (1:19:57)

under the age of 18. And those are the high points of the bill. We will certainly be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding Senate Bill 733. Thank you, Mr.

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (1:19:23)

It clarifies requirements of confidentiality regarding administrative hearing records. also amends confidentiality requirements regarding release of maltreatment reports, provides for communication by health care professionals to DHS for plans of safe care for children born with fetal alcohol syndrome disorders. This is required by newly enacted federal legislation. And the bill raises the minimum age for which a child's name can be placed on a maltreatment registry from age 10 to 13 while ensuring investigation reports and services to alleged offenders.

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (1:18:50)

as it pertains to sexual activities between consenting teens. It adds employees of the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division to the classes of mandated reporters. The bill amends administrative hearing procedure regarding continuances. Specifically, the bill states that a written request for a continuance can be made by either party if good cause is shown. It amends the act to maintain certain criminal defenses to maltreatment allegations but excludes others. With the exception of capacity, the excluded criminal defenses are procedural.

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (1:18:19)

or investigative agencies in other states. It amends requirements of notification of reports to certain persons receiving such notification under current law, such as attorney ad litems and CASA. The amendments reflect that such persons will continue to receive initial affirmative notifications of a report, but give DHS flexibility in making affirmative notifications thereafter. The bill also amends definitions of sexual abuse to more closely track the Arkansas Criminal Code

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (1:17:47)

Child maltreatment includes physical and sexual abuse, neglect of a child. And a large part of this bill makes amendments to clarify our maltreatment reporting and notification procedure and hopefully improve the efficiency of those procedures. Specifically, the bill cleans up terminology regarding maltreatment reports under another state's jurisdiction or reports under concurrent jurisdiction. It makes it clear that in such cases the report shall be documented and forward to the applicable child maltreatment

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (1:17:16)

Is that correct? Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And we are bringing you Senate Bill 733. It makes some amendments to the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Act. And I have with me Mr. Charles Thompson, an attorney with DHS, who will help us understand this a little bit better. But I'm going to kind of hit the high points and explain to those of you that might be a little bit hazy on the Child Maltreatment Act. It's simply the law that provides for the system of reporting and investigation of child abuse.

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (1:16:44)

So just a concurrence in the amendment. We pass it out in the House. Senate passed it out easily. I think we've

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (1:16:12)

1869. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members, this is simply a concurrence on a Senate amendment on my district court bill. Anyone that specifically asked me to address the concerns, those concerns have been addressed in this bill. I came back from the Senate with a 34-1 vote. Or actually, I think it was 34 to 1.

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (29:24)

every legislator, and everyone in this state. But what we can say, there's been a tremendous amount of work put into it. It's the map that is before us today. And I trust in the independence and the diversity of our people of this great state to adapt and make this situation work. And I would ask for a

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (28:51)

the independence of this state creates a diversity, and I think that's a good thing. I think our State has been able to adapt to many things over the years that didn't look good on paper, but virtually every one of your comments, Representative Collins, could have been made about every map drawn by someone in here, and that's the problem. I don't think anyone would stand here and say, is this perfect for every constituent,

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (28:30)

Collins lives in the Fayetteville Finger, or what has been called. But let me give you my perspective. I live down on the tip. Most people know I'm from Hope. It's a change for us also. I believe

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (0:32)

Representative Branscombe, you have a motion? All right, we have a motion to do pass. All in favor say aye. All opposed? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Your concurrence in Senate Amendment 2198 has

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (0:00)

Chairman Williams, you are recognized to present concurrent Senate Amendment 2198. Thank you, Mr. Chairman,

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (0:24)

you all. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Anyone we speak for or against the concurrence, if not, the will of the committee.

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (1:04:46)

by healthcare professionals to DHS for plans of safe care for children born with fetal alcohol syndrome disorders, and it raises the minimum age for which a child's name can be placed on the maltreatment registry from age 10 to 13, while ensuring investigation of reports and services to alleged offenders under the age of 18. It's a good bill, just shores up some language in the current law, I'd appreciate

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (1:04:12)

definitions of sexual abuse to more closely track the Arkansas Criminal Code as it pertains to sexual activities between consenting teens. It also adds employees of the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division to the classes of mandated reporters. It amends administrative hearing procedures regarding continuances. The bill amends the act to maintain certain criminal defenses to maltreatment allegations but excludes others. It clarifies requirements of confidentiality regarding administrative hearing records. The bill provides for communication

Meeting — March 31, 2011 (1:03:40)

This bill cleans up terminology regarding maltreatment reports under another state's jurisdiction. The bill makes it clear that in those cases the report should be documented and forwarded to the applicable child maltreatment investigative agencies in other states. The bill amends requirements of notification of reports to certain persons receiving such notification under current law, such as ad litems and CASA. The amendments reflect that such persons will continue to receive initial affirmative notifications of the report. It also amends