Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

Arkansas House Bill HB1829 Latest Draft

Bill / Draft Version Filed 03/18/2025

                            Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law. 
*LJH199* 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
State of Arkansas     1 
95th General Assembly A Bill     2 
Regular Session, 2025  	HOUSE BILL 1829 3 
 4 
By: Representatives Dalby, Evans 5 
 6 
 7 
For An Act To Be Entitled 8 
AN ACT TO AMEND THE DOMESTIC ABUSE ACT OF 1991; TO 9 
PROVIDE FOR REMOTE TESTIMONY IN CERTAIN INSTANCES IN 10 
A HEARING UNDER THE DOMESTIC ABUSE ACT OF 1991; TO 11 
AMEND REQUIREMENTS REGARDING SERVICE OF PLEADINGS OR 12 
FILINGS UNDER AN ORDER OF PROTECTION MATTER; TO 13 
PROVIDE OVERSIGHT FOR A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 14 
INTERVENTION PROGRAM; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 15 
 16 
 17 
Subtitle 18 
TO AMEND THE DOMESTIC ABUSE ACT OF 1991; 19 
TO PROVIDE FOR REMOTE TESTIMONY IN 20 
CERTAIN INSTANCES IN A HEARING UNDER THE 21 
DOMESTIC ABUSE ACT OF 1991; AND TO 22 
PROVIDE OVERSIGHT FOR A DOMESTIC 23 
VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM. 24 
 25 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 26 
 27 
 SECTION 1.  Arkansas Code § 9 -15-103 is amended to read as follows: 28 
 9-15-103. Definitions. 29 
 As used in this chapter: 30 
 (1)  “Commercial mobile radio service” means commercial mobile 31 
service as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332 , as it existed on January 1, 2025 ; 32 
 (2)  “County where the petitioner resides” means the county in 33 
which the petitioner physically resides at the time the petition is filed and 34 
may include a county where the petitioner is located for a short -term stay in 35 
a domestic violence shelter; 36    	HB1829 
 
 	2 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
 (3)(A)  “Dating relationship” means a romantic or intimate social 1 
relationship between two (2) individuals that shall be determined by 2 
examining the following factors: 3 
 (i)  The length of the relationship; 4 
 (ii)  The type of the relationship; and 5 
 (iii)  The frequency of interaction between the two 6 
(2) individuals involved in the relationship. 7 
 (B)  “Dating relationship” does not include a casual 8 
relationship or ordinary fraternization between two (2) individuals in a 9 
business or social context; 10 
 (4)  “Domestic abuse” means: 11 
 (A)  Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the 12 
infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, or assault 13 
between family or household members; or 14 
 (B)  Any sexual conduct between family or household 15 
members, whether minors or adults, that constitutes a crime under the laws of 16 
this state; 17 
 (C)(i)  A pattern of behavior that in purpose or effect 18 
unreasonably interferes with the free will and personal liberty of a person, 19 
also known as "course of control". 20 
 (ii)  As used in subdivision (4)(C)(i) of this 21 
section, "course of control" means a pattern of behavior that in purpose or 22 
effect unreasonably interferes with the free will and personal liberty of a 23 
person and includes without limitation the unreasonable: 24 
 (a)  Isolation of a person from his or her 25 
friends, relatives, or other sources of support; 26 
 (b)  Deprivation of a person's basic 27 
necessities; 28 
 (c)  Control, regulation, or monitoring of a 29 
person's movements, communications, daily behavior, finances, economic 30 
resources, or access to resources; or 31 
 (d)  Compelling of a person by intimidation, 32 
force, threat of force, or threat based on actual or suspected immigration 33 
status to engage in conduct from which the person has a right to abstain or 34 
to abstain from conduct in which the person has a right to engage; or 35 
 (D)(i)  A pattern of behavior that unreasonably destroys 36    	HB1829 
 
 	3 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
the mental or emotional calm of a family or household member based on the 1 
totality of the circumstances, also known as "disturbing the peace". 2 
 (ii)  As used in subdivision (4)(D)(i) of this 3 
section, "disturbing the peace" means a pattern of behavior that unreasonably 4 
destroys the mental or emotional calm of a family or household member based 5 
on the totality of the circumstances and includes without limitation:   6 
 (a)  Molesting the other party; 7 
 (b)  Attacking the other party; 8 
 (c)  Striking the other party; 9 
 (d)  Stalking the other party; 10 
 (e)  Threatening the other party; 11 
 (f)  Sexually assaulting the other party; 12 
 (g)  Battering the other party; 13 
 (h)  Credibly impersonating the other party; 14 
 (i)  Falsely impersonating the other party; 15 
 (j)  Harassing the other party; 16 
 (k)  Telephoning the other party with the 17 
intent to harass the other party; 18 
 (l)  Destroying the personal property of the 19 
other party; 20 
 (m)  Directly or indirectly contacting the 21 
other party with the intent to harass the other party; 22 
 (n)  Coming within a specified distance of the 23 
other party; 24 
 (o)  Disturbing the peace of the other party; 25 
 (p)  Disturbing the peace of a family member or 26 
household member of the other party; or 27 
 (q)  Any other act that the court determines 28 
should be enjoined; 29 
 (5)  “Family or household members” means spouses, former spouses, 30 
parents and children, persons related by blood within the fourth degree of 31 
consanguinity, in-laws, any children residing in the household, persons who 32 
presently or in the past have resided or cohabited together, persons who have 33 
or have had a child in common, and persons who are presently or in the past 34 
have been in a dating relationship together; 35 
 (6)  “In-laws” means persons related by marriage within the 36    	HB1829 
 
 	4 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
second degree of consanguinity; and 1 
 (7)  “Wireless telephone service provider” means a commercial 2 
mobile radio service provider or reseller. 3 
 4 
 SECTION 2.  Arkansas Code § 9 -15-201 is amended to read as follows: 5 
 9-15-201. Petition — Requirements generally. 6 
 (a)  All petitions under this chapter shall be verified. 7 
 (b)  The petition shall be filed with the circuit clerk in the county 8 
where the petitioner resides, where the alleged incident of abuse occurred, 9 
or where the respondent may be served. 10 
 (c)(1)  A petition for relief under this chapter may be filed in the 11 
circuit court. 12 
 (2)  A petition for relief under this chapter may be filed in a 13 
pilot district court if the jurisdiction is established by the Supreme Court 14 
under Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 80, § 7, and if the cases are assigned 15 
to the pilot district court through the administrative plan under Supreme 16 
Court Administrative Order No. 14. 17 
 (d) A petition may be filed by: 18 
 (1)  Any adult family or household member on behalf of himself or 19 
herself; 20 
 (2)  Any adult family or household member on behalf of another 21 
family or household member who is a minor, including a married minor; 22 
 (3)  Any adult family or household member on behalf of another 23 
family or household member who has been adjudicated an incompetent; or 24 
 (4)  An employee or volunteer of a domestic -violence shelter or 25 
program on behalf of a minor, including a married minor. 26 
 (e)(d)(1)  A petition for relief shall: 27 
 (A)  Allege the existence of domestic abuse; 28 
 (B)  Disclose the existence of any pending litigation 29 
between the parties; and 30 
 (C)  Disclose any prior filings of a petition for an order 31 
of protection under this chapter. 32 
 (2)  The petition shall be accompanied by an affidavit made under 33 
oath that states the specific facts and circumstances of the domestic abuse 34 
and the specific relief sought. 35 
 (f)(e) The petition may be filed regardless of whether there is any 36    	HB1829 
 
 	5 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
pending litigation between the parties. 1 
 (g)(f) A person's right to file a petition , or obtain relief hereunder 2 
under this section shall not be affected by his or her leaving the residence 3 
or household to avoid abuse. 4 
 5 
 SECTION 3.  Arkansas Code § 9 -15-203 is amended to read as follows: 6 
 9-15-203. Petition — Form. 7 
 (a)  The circuit clerk shall provide simplified forms and clerical 8 
assistance to help petitioners with the writing and filing of a petition 9 
under this chapter if the petitioner is not represented by counsel. 10 
 (b)(1)  The Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission 11 
shall develop an informational pamphlet that provides information on domestic 12 
violence resources in consultation with experts on domestic abuse prevention 13 
and intervention. 14 
 (2)  The circuit clerk shall provide the informational pamphlet 15 
developed under subdivision (b)(1) of this section. 16 
 (b)(c) The petition form shall not require or suggest that a 17 
petitioner include his or her Social Security number or the Social Security 18 
number of the respondent in the petition. 19 
 (c)(d)(1)(A)  A petitioner may omit his or her home address or business 20 
address from all documents filed with the court. 21 
 (B)  If a petitioner omits his or her home address, the 22 
petitioner shall provide the court with a mailing address. 23 
 (2)  If disclosure of a petitioner's home address is necessary to 24 
determine jurisdiction or consider venue, the court may order the disclosure 25 
of the petitioner's home address: 26 
 (A)  After receiving the petitioner's consent; 27 
 (B)  Orally and in chambers, out of the presence of the 28 
respondent, and a sealed record to be made; or 29 
 (C)  After a hearing, if the court takes into consideration 30 
the safety of the petitioner and finds the disclosure in the interest of 31 
justice. 32 
 (d)(e) The petition may be in substantially the following form: 33 
“Petition for Order of Protection 34 
 35 
Case No. _____________ 36    	HB1829 
 
 	6 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
 1 
_____________ Petitioner's home address: 2 
Petitioner  _____________________________ 3 
 _____________________________ 4 
_____________ Petitioner's work address: 5 
Date of Birth _____________________________ 6 
 7 
 vs. 8 
 9 
_____________ Respondent's home address: 10 
Respondent  _____________________________ 11 
 _____________________________ 12 
_____________ Respondent's work address: 13 
Date of Birth,  _____________________________ 14 
if known  _____________________________ 15 
 16 
______ I am the petitioner and ______ at least 18 years of age ______ under 17 
18 but emancipated. 18 
______ I am filing on behalf of myself. 19 
______ I am filing on behalf of a family or household member who is: 20 
______ a minor(s): (list) ___________________________________________________ 21 
______ an adjudicated incompetent person: (list) ___________________________	_ 22 
______ The respondent is ______ at least 18 years of age ______ under 18 but 23 
emancipated. 24 
______ I am an employee or volunteer of a domestic violence shelter or 25 
program, and I am filing on behalf of a minor. 26 
The respondent and petitioner (or victim if filing on behalf of a minor or 27 
incompetent person): (check all that apply) 28 
______ Are spouses; ______ Are related by blood; 29 
______ Are parent and child;  ______ Currently reside together 30 
 or cohabit; 31 
______ Are former spouses;  ______ Formerly resided together or 32 
 cohabitated; 33 
______ Have or have had a child in common; 34 
or  ______ Are presently or in the past 35 
 have been in a dating relationship. 36    	HB1829 
 
 	7 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
If order of protection of children is requested: 1 
Children Date of Birth Address Relationship to Parties 2 
_____________________________________________________________________________3 
_____________________________________________________________________________4 
_____________________________________________________________________________5 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 6 
The respondent has committed domestic abuse to the petitioner or victim by 7 
the following acts: (describe) 8 
_____________________________________________________________________________9 
_____________________________________________________________________________10 
_____________________________________________________________________________11 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 12 
_____________________________________________________________________________13 
_____________________________________________________________________________14 
_____________________________________________________________________________15 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 16 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 17 
I am afraid of the respondent and: (describe) 18 
_____________________________________________________________________________19 
_____________________________________________________________________________20 
_____________________________________________________________________________21 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 22 
_____________________________________________________________________________23 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 24 
_____________ (1) There is an immediate and present danger of domestic abuse 25 
to me; or 26 
_____________ (2) The respondent is scheduled to be released from 27 
incarceration within thirty (30) days and upon the respondent's release there 28 
will be an immediate and present danger of domestic abuse to me. 29 
The reasons are as follows: (describe) 30 
_____________________________________________________________________________31 
_____________________________________________________________________________32 
_____________________________________________________________________________33 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 34 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 35 
______ Petitioner requests that the court issue an ex parte order of 36    	HB1829 
 
 	8 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
protection with the following provisions: (check all that apply) 1 
______ Excluding the respondent from a shared residence or from the residence 2 
of the petitioner or victim. Address of residence: 3 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 4 
______ Excluding the respondent from the place of business, employment, 5 
school, or other location of the petitioner or victim. Address of residence: 6 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 7 
______  Excluding the respondent from the place of business, employment, 8 
school, or other location of the petitioner or victim. Address of: 9 
Place of business: __________________________________________________________ 10 
Employment: _________________________________________________________________ 11 
School: _____________________________________________________________________ 12 
Other (identify): ___________________________________________________________ 13 
Prohibiting the respondent, directly or through an agent, from contacting the 14 
petitioner or victim, except under the following conditions: 15 
_____________________________________________________________________________16 
_____________________________________________________________________________17 
_____________________________________________________________________________18 
______  Awarding temporary custody of minor children as follows: 19 
Child's Name and Name of Person to Receive Custody 20 
_____________________________________________________________________________21 
_____________________________________________________________________________22 
_____________________________________________________________________________23 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 24 
______ Requiring the respondent to pay child support in the amount of 25 
$_____________ per child per month 26 
______ Requiring the respondent to pay spousal support in the amount of 27 
$_____________ per month 28 
______ Excluding the petitioner's address from notice to the respondent 29 
______ It is further requested that upon hearing, the court issue a full 30 
order of protection with the following provisions: (check all that apply) 31 
_____________ Excluding the respondent from the shared residence or from the 32 
residence of the petitioner or victim. Address of the 33 
residence:___________________________________________________________________ 34 
______ Excluding the respondent from the place of business, employment, 35 
school, or other location of the petitioner or victim. Address of: 36    	HB1829 
 
 	9 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
Place of business: __________________________________________________________ 1 
Employment: _________________________________________________________________ 2 
School: _____________________________________________________________________ 3 
Other (identify): ___________________________________________________________ 4 
______ Awarding temporary custody of minor children as follows: 5 
Child's Name and Name of Person to Receive Custody 6 
_____________________________________________________________________________7 
_____________________________________________________________________________8 
_____________________________________________________________________________9 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 10 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 11 
______ Requiring the respondent to pay child support in the amount of 12 
$_____________ per child per month 13 
______ Requiring the respondent to pay spousal support in the amount of 14 
$_____________ per month 15 
______ Requiring the respondent to pay filing fees, service fees, court costs 16 
and petitioner's attorney fees. 17 
______ I am involved in pending litigation with the respondent in the case 18 
of: 19 
Case No.: ___________________________________________________________________ 20 
Circuit or District Judge: __________________________________________________ 21 
County or City: _____________________________________________________________ 22 
______ I have previously filed a petition for an order of protection against 23 
the respondent in the following case or cases: 24 
Case No.: ___________________________________________________________________ 25 
Circuit Judge: ______________________________________________________________ 26 
County: _____________________________________________________________________ 27 
The petitioner under oath states that the facts stated in the above petition 28 
are true according to the petitioner's best knowledge and belief. 29 
________________________ 30 
Date 31 
 32 
________________________ 33 
Petitioner's signature 34 
 35 
STATE OF ARKANSAS 36    	HB1829 
 
 	10 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
COUNTY OF _____________________ 1 
 Subscribed and sworn to before me this _____________ day of 2 
_____________, 20______. 3 
 4 
________________________ 5 
Notary Public 6 
My Commission Expires: 7 
________________________". 8 
 9 
 SECTION 4.  Arkansas Code § 9 -15-205(a), concerning the relief that a 10 
court may order upon a hearing for a petition for an order of protection 11 
under the Domestic Abuse Act of 1991, is amended to read as follows: 12 
 (a)  At the hearing on the petition filed under this chapter, upon a 13 
finding of domestic abuse as defined in § 9 -15-103, the court may provide the 14 
following relief: 15 
 (1)  Exclude the abusing party from the dwelling that the parties 16 
share or from the residence of the petitioner or victim; 17 
 (2)  Exclude the abusing party from the place of business or 18 
employment, school, or other location of the petitioner or victim; 19 
 (3)(A)  Award temporary custody or establish temporary visitation 20 
rights with regard to minor children of the parties. 21 
 (B)(i)  If a previous child custody or visitation 22 
determination has been made by another court with continuing jurisdiction 23 
with regard to the minor children of the parties, a temporary child custody 24 
or visitation determination may be made under subdivision (a)(3)(A) of this 25 
section. 26 
 (ii) The order shall remain in effect until the court 27 
with original jurisdiction enters a subsequent order regarding the children; 28 
 (4)  Order temporary support for minor children or a spouse, with 29 
such support to be enforced in the manner prescribed by law for other child 30 
support and alimony awards; 31 
 (5)  Allow the prevailing party a reasonable attorney's fee as 32 
part of the costs; 33 
 (6)  Prohibit the abusing party directly or through an agent from 34 
contacting the petitioner or victim except under specific conditions named in 35 
the order; 36    	HB1829 
 
 	11 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
 (7)  Direct the exclusive care, possession, custody, or control 1 
of any pet animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by : either party 2 
residing in the household; and 3 
 (A)  The petitioner; 4 
 (B)  The respondent; or 5 
 (C)  A minor residing in the residence or household of 6 
either the petitioner or the respondent; 7 
 (8)(A)  The court may order the respondent to refrain from: 8 
 (i)  Coming into contact with the animal; or 9 
 (ii)  Taking, transferring, encumbering, concealing, 10 
molesting, attacking, striking, threatening, harming, or disposing of the 11 
animal; 12 
 (B)  Subdivision (8)(A) of this section does not limit any 13 
other remedy available to a petitioner by another provision of law; 14 
 (9)  Prohibit the respondent from taking any action that could 15 
result in the termination of any necessary utility service or another 16 
necessary service related to the family dwelling or the dwelling of the 17 
petitioner; 18 
 (10)  Prohibit the respondent from taking any action that could 19 
result in the cancellation or change of coverage or change of beneficiary of 20 
any health, automobile, or homeowner's insurance policy to the detriment of 21 
the petitioner or a dependent child in common of the petitioner and 22 
respondent; 23 
 (11)  Prohibit the respondent from transferring, encumbering, 24 
concealing, or disposing of specified property owned or leased by the 25 
petitioner; 26 
 (12)  Provide the petitioner with temporary possession of an 27 
automobile, debit card, credit card, checkbook, documentation related to 28 
financial accounts, documentation related to the petitioner's health, 29 
documentation related to automobile or homeowner's insurance, documentation 30 
related to proving identity, a key, or other necessary specified personal 31 
effects; 32 
 (13)  Order the respondent to complete a domestic violence 33 
intervention program; 34 
 (14)  Order the appointment of an attorney ad litem under Admin. 35 
Order No. 15.1 to represent any minor child or children; or 36    	HB1829 
 
 	12 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
 (8)(15)(A)  Order other relief as the court deems necessary or 1 
appropriate for the protection of a family or household member. 2 
 (B)  The relief may include , but not be limited to, without 3 
limitation enjoining and restraining the abusing party from doing, attempting 4 
to do, or threatening to do any act injuring, mistreating, molesting, or 5 
harassing the petitioner. 6 
 7 
 SECTION 5.  Arkansas Code § 9 -15-219 is repealed. 8 
 9-15-219. Order of protection — Course of control — Definitions. 9 
 (a)  As used in this section: 10 
 (1)(A)  “Course of control” means a pattern of behavior that in 11 
purpose or effect unreasonably interferes with the free will and personal 12 
liberty of a person. 13 
 (B)  “Course of control” includes without limitation the 14 
following: 15 
 (i)  Unreasonably isolating a person from his or her 16 
friends, relatives, or other sources of support; 17 
 (ii) Unreasonably depriving a person of basic 18 
necessities; 19 
 (iii) Unreasonably controlling, regulating, or 20 
monitoring a person's movements, communications, daily behavior, finances, 21 
economic resources, or access to resources; and 22 
 (iv) Unreasonably compelling a person by 23 
intimidation, force, threat of force, or threat based on actual or suspected 24 
immigration status to engage in conduct from which the person has a right to 25 
abstain or to abstain from conduct in which the person has a right to engage; 26 
and 27 
 (2)(A)  “Disturbing the peace” means a pattern of behavior that 28 
unreasonably destroys the mental or emotional calm of a family or household 29 
member based on the totality of the circumstances. 30 
 (B)  “Disturbing the peace” includes without limitation 31 
course of control. 32 
 (b)  A court may enter an ex parte order enjoining a party from 33 
engaging in course of control or disturbing the peace, including without 34 
limitation through one (1) or more of the following acts: 35 
 (1)  Molesting the other party; 36    	HB1829 
 
 	13 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
 (2)  Attacking the other party; 1 
 (3)  Striking the other party; 2 
 (4)  Stalking the other party; 3 
 (5)  Threatening the other party; 4 
 (6)  Sexually assaulting the other party; 5 
 (7)  Battering the other party; 6 
 (8)  Credibly impersonating the other party; 7 
 (9)  Falsely impersonating the other party; 8 
 (10) Harassing the other party; 9 
 (11) Telephoning the other party with the intent to harass the 10 
other party; 11 
 (12) Destroying the personal property of the other party; 12 
 (13) Directly or indirectly contacting the other party with the 13 
intent to harass the other party; 14 
 (14) Coming within a specified distance of the other party; 15 
 (15) Disturbing the peace of the other party; 16 
 (16) Disturbing the peace of a family member or household member 17 
of the other party; or 18 
 (17) Any other act that the court determines should be enjoined. 19 
 (c)(1)  Upon a showing of good cause, an order of protection may 20 
include an order granting the petitioner the exclusive care, possession, or 21 
control of an animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by: 22 
 (A)  The petitioner; 23 
 (B)  The respondent; or 24 
 (C)  A minor residing in the residence or household of 25 
either the petitioner or respondent. 26 
 (2)  The court may order the respondent to refrain from: 27 
 (A)  Coming into contact with the animal; or 28 
 (B)  Taking, transferring, encumbering, concealing, 29 
molesting, attacking, striking, threatening, harming, or otherwise disposing 30 
of the animal. 31 
 (d)  This section does not limit any other remedy available to a 32 
petitioner by another provision of law. 33 
 34 
 SECTION 6.  Arkansas Code Title 9, Chapter 15, Subchapter 2, is amended 35 
to add additional sections to read as follows: 36    	HB1829 
 
 	14 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
 9-15-220.  Hearing — Ability of party or child to appear outside the 1 
physical presence of the other party. 2 
 (a)  The court may allow the testimony of a party or a child who is the 3 
subject of a proceeding under this chapter to be taken outside the physical 4 
presence of any other party. 5 
 (b)  This section does not limit any party's right to cross -examine a 6 
witness whose testimony is taken in a room other than the courtroom in 7 
accordance with an order made under this section. 8 
 9 
 9-15-221.  Sheriff's office — Duties. 10 
 (a)  The sheriff’s office in every county in the state shall designate 11 
at least one (1) officer to serve petitions, notices of hearing, ex parte 12 
orders of protection, and final orders of protection on a respondent under 13 
this subchapter. 14 
 (b)(1)  The designated officer shall: 15 
 (A)  Attempt to serve the respondent within two (2) hours 16 
of receiving the document; 17 
 (B)  Keep a record of every attempt made to serve the 18 
respondent; 19 
 (C)  Maintain a log detailing each attempt to serve the 20 
respondent, including without limitation the date, time, and address related 21 
to each attempt made. 22 
 (2)  If the respondent is in a county other than the county where 23 
the petition was filed, the designated officer in the county where the 24 
respondent is located shall perform the duties included listed in subdivision 25 
(b)(1) of this section. 26 
 (c)  The circuit clerk shall immediately provide the petition, ex parte 27 
temporary order, if granted, and notice of hearing to the designated officer. 28 
 (d)(1)  The county sheriff shall immediately enter or cause to be 29 
entered any orders and subsequent modifications or cancellations made under 30 
this subchapter into the registry of orders of protection and temporary 31 
orders of protection order under § 12 -12-215. 32 
 (2)  If the county sheriff does not have a center terminal and 33 
entries are made by another agency that does have a center terminal, the 34 
agency with the center terminal shall make such entries immediately upon 35 
receipt of information from the county sheriff. 36    	HB1829 
 
 	15 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
 1 
 9-15-222. Violation of order of protection — Expedited hearing. 2 
 (a)  An expedited hearing shall be scheduled when a motion for contempt 3 
is filed that alleges a violation of an order of protection. 4 
 (b)  A request for relief under this section shall not preclude a party 5 
from seeking any other civil or criminal relief. 6 
 7 
 9-15-223.  Domestic violence intervention programs — Definition —8 
Purpose. 9 
 (a)  As used in this section, "batterer intervention program or a 10 
domestic violence intervention program” means a certified intervention 11 
program that: 12 
 (1)  Provides classes to individuals who commit acts of domestic 13 
violence or abuse; and 14 
 (2)  Offers nonviolent strategies and values that promote respect 15 
and equality in a dating relationship. 16 
 (b)  The purpose of a batterer intervention program or a domestic 17 
violence intervention program is to: 18 
 (1)  Hold batterers accountable; 19 
 (2)  Promote safety for victims; 20 
 (3)  Interrupt, avoid, and end domestic violence and abuse; and 21 
 (4)  Recognize that a participant in a batterer intervention 22 
program or a domestic violence intervention program may need additional 23 
services for mental health treatment, drug and alcohol treatment, parenting 24 
education, or other issues, and aid that participant in the connection to 25 
those services. 26 
 (c)  The  Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission shall 27 
be responsible for certification of a batterer intervention program or a 28 
domestic violence intervention program. 29 
 (d)  A batterer intervention program or a domestic violence 30 
intervention program shall operate within a framework of the following 31 
fundamental tenets: 32 
 (1)  Battery or domestic abuse is a pattern of behavior and not a 33 
singular event; 34 
 (2)  While battery or domestic abuse is not an addiction or 35 
disease and not caused by alcohol or substance abuse, alcohol or substance 36    	HB1829 
 
 	16 	03/18/2025 1:18:11 PM LJH199 
abuse can be an aggravating factor and should be addressed; 1 
 (3)  A batterer or a domestic abuser is solely responsible for 2 
his or her actions and must be held accountable for his or her violence and 3 
abuse; 4 
 (4)  A batterer intervention program or a domestic violence 5 
intervention program service provider may provide factual information, but he 6 
or she shall not participate as an advocate for a batterer or a domestic 7 
abuser in a court setting; and 8 
 (5)  Family reunification services to address behavior that 9 
constitutes battery or domestic abuse are: 10 
 (A)  Inappropriate as the primary intervention; and 11 
 (B)  Should not be used in the beginning stages of the 12 
batterer intervention program or a domestic violence intervention program or 13 
while violence is still occurring. 14 
 15 
 16 
 17 
 18 
 19 
 20 
 21 
 22 
 23 
 24 
 25 
 26 
 27 
 28 
 29 
 30 
 31 
 32 
 33 
 34 
 35 
 36