TO CREATE THE FAMILIES' RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ACT.

Senate Bill 642, the "Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act," aims to codify and protect the fundamental rights of parents in Arkansas concerning their children. It establishes a parent's liberty to the care, custody, and control of their child, including directing their upbringing, education, and healthcare, as a fundamental right. The bill requires the government to meet a strict scrutiny standard, demonstrating a compelling interest and using the least restrictive means, before it can substantially burden these parental rights. It outlines specific parental rights, such as accessing health and educational records, consenting to the collection of biometric data, and receiving prompt notification of suspected child maltreatment, with certain exceptions for ongoing investigations.