(a) (1) If a court of the State of Arkansas requests or orders a licensed social worker of the court's choice to perform any investigation, study, or supervision involving the custody, placement, adoption, or other pertinent matter with regard to a child or children, the licensed social worker selected by the court may charge a fee that shall not exceed the fair market value of the investigation, study, or supervision.
(2) (A) The Division of Children and Family Services of the Department of Human Services shall not be ordered by any court, except the juvenile division of circuit court, to conduct an investigation, study, or supervision unless the court has first determined the responsible party to be indigent.
(B) The investigation, study, or supervision is to take place within the State of Arkansas.
(b) When the court requests or orders a licensed social worker to perform an investigation, study, or supervision, the court shall specify the party or parties responsible for payment of the fee and may grant a reasonable period of time for payment.
(c) If payment is not made within the established time frame as set forth in the court order or as prescribed by regulations, the obligation shall be considered a delinquent debt, as defined by regulation, and the licensed social worker may recover the fee as provided by law for the recovery of a debt.
Section: 9-8-102Last modified: November 15, 2016