TO RECOGNIZE APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IN ARKANSAS AND TO COMMEND THE COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE (CASA) PROGRAMS.

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The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: Wooldridge
Last action: 2026-04-21
Official status: House -- READ AND ADOPTED.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Arkansas

This resolution recognizes April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Arkansas and commends Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs, their staff, and volunteers.

What This Bill Does

Names April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Arkansas.
Encourages citizens to support efforts that strengthen families, protect children, and promote safe environments.
Commends CASA programs for recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers who advocate for abused or neglected children.
Recognizes the dedicated service of CASA staff and volunteers across the state.
Requires a copy of this resolution be sent to Arkansas CASA programs by the Chief Clerk.

Who It Names or Affects

Citizens in the state of Arkansas
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs
Volunteers and staff who work with children in foster care

Terms To Know

House Resolution: A formal statement by the House of Representatives that expresses an opinion or support but does not create new laws.
CASA Programs: Groups in Arkansas that recruit, train, and support volunteers appointed by judges to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

Limits and Unknowns

This resolution expresses recognition and appreciation but does not create new laws.
The official text provided does not list an effective date beyond the adoption of the resolution itself.

Bill History

No action history is stored for this bill yet.

Official Summary Text

TO RECOGNIZE APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IN ARKANSAS AND TO COMMEND THE COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE (CASA) PROGRAMS.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

*CRH381* 04/14/2026 10:13:45 AM CRH381
State of Arkansas 1
95th General Assembly 2
Fiscal Session, 2026 HR 1038 3
4
By: Representative Wooldridge 5
6
7
HOUSE RESOLUTION 8
TO RECOGNIZE APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IN 9
ARKANSAS AND TO COMMEND THE COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL 10
ADVOCATE (CASA) PROGRAMS. 11
12
13
Subtitle 14
TO RECOGNIZE APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE 15
PREVENTION MONTH IN ARKANSAS AND TO 16
COMMEND THE COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL 17
ADVOCATE (CASA) PROGRAMS. 18
19
WHEREAS, the children of Arkansas are among the state’s most valuable 20
resources, and their safety, well-being, and success are vital to the 21
strength and future of our communities; and 22
23
WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect remain serious concerns that affect 24
the physical, emotional, and developmental well-being of children across 25
Arkansas; and 26
27
WHEREAS, preventing child abuse and neglect requires the commitment of 28
families, communities, nonprofit organizations, and public leaders working 29
together to ensure children are protected and supported; and 30
31
WHEREAS, April is recognized nationally as Child Abuse Prevention 32
Month, a time dedicated to increasing awareness, strengthening families, and 33
promoting community involvement in the protection of children; and 34
35
WHEREAS, Arkansas is home to twenty-three (23) Court Appointed Special 36
HR1038

2 04/14/2026 10:13:45 AM CRH381
Advocate (CASA) programs that serve children in the foster care system by 1
recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers appointed by judges to 2
advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or 3
neglect; and 4
5
WHEREAS, CASA volunteers provide vital advocacy by gathering 6
information, making recommendations to the court, and helping ensure that 7
children have the opportunity to achieve safe, stable, and permanent homes; 8
and 9
10
WHEREAS, in 2025, two thousand seven hundred eighty (2,780) children in 11
Arkansas were served by more than one thousand three hundred (1,300) CASA 12
advocates, demonstrating a strong commitment by volunteers and professionals 13
to improving outcomes for children in foster care; and 14
15
WHEREAS, the House of Representatives recognizes the importance of 16
raising awareness about child abuse prevention and commends CASA programs, 17
their staff, and volunteers for their dedicated service to children and 18
families across the state, 19
20
NOW THEREFORE, 21
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 22
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 23
24
THAT the House of Representatives recognize April as Child Abuse 25
Prevention Month in Arkansas and encourage all citizens to support efforts 26
that strengthen families, protect children, and promote safe and nurturing 27
environments. 28
29
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon adoption, a copy of this resolution be 30
provided to the Arkansas CASA programs by the Chief Clerk of the House of 31
Representatives as a symbol of the House of Representatives' respect and 32
appreciation. 33
34
35
36