LITTLE ROCK — Court-prompted changes in recent months in how the state's Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry is administered have garnered praise from criminal defense attorneys for shoring up suspects' rights but prompted concern among state officials for children's well-being.
Previously, the Department of Human Services placed an individual on the registry, a state-maintained list of people the agency identified as child abusers or neglecters, before the person could appeal.
Now, an individual's name is added to the registry only after the person has received notice and either didn't appeal within30 days or after an appeal hearing has confirmed the department's determination.
For more information see today's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
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