(a) It is the public policy of the State of Arkansas to protect the health, safety, and the welfare of children within the state.
(b) No privilege, except that between a lawyer and client or between a minister, including a Christian Science practitioner, and a person confessing to or being counseled by the minister shall prevent anyone from testifying concerning child maltreatment.
(c) When a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed counselor or therapist conducts interviews with or provides therapy to a subject of a report of suspected child maltreatment for purposes related to child maltreatment, the physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed counselor or therapist is deemed to be performing services on behalf of the child.
(d) An adult subject of a report of suspected child maltreatment cannot invoke privilege on the child's behalf.
Structure Arkansas Code
Title 12 - Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, and Military Affairs
Subtitle 2 - Law Enforcement Agencies and Programs
Chapter 18 - Child Maltreatment Act
Subchapter 8 - Administrative Hearings
§ 12-18-801. Time to complete administrative hearing
§ 12-18-802. Subpoenas — Service upon a child
§ 12-18-803. Privileged communications as evidence — Exception
§ 12-18-804. Defenses and affirmative defenses
§ 12-18-805. Video teleconferencing and teleconferencing options
§ 12-18-807. Administrative judgments and adjudications
§ 12-18-808. Notice of juvenile division circuit court proceedings
§ 12-18-810. Authority to amend investigative determinations based on evidence
§ 12-18-811. Expedited administrative hearings — Definition
§ 12-18-812. Preliminary administrative hearing
§ 12-18-813. Notice of investigative determination upon satisfaction of due process