1. (a)

   1. (1) The Division of Children and Family Services shall ensure that all necessary medical services are provided to children receiving out-of-home placement services in order to promote their optimal physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being.
   2. (2) Foster parents will play an integral role in meeting the child’s daily health and well-being needs.

2. (b)

   1. (1) As the legal custodian for children in out-of-home placements, the division has the right to obtain the medical records of any child upon presentation of an order of custody.
   2. (2) In addition, the division has the right to obtain medical care for any child in Department of Human Services custody, including giving consent to specific medical, dental, or mental health treatments and procedures as required in the opinion of an authorized or licensed physician, dentist, surgeon, or psychologist, whether or not such care is provided on an emergency, inpatient, or outpatient basis.

   3. (3) However, the division shall not make any of the following decisions without receiving express court approval:

      1. (A) Consent to the removal of bodily organs, unless the procedure is necessary to save the life of the child;
      2. (B) Consent to withhold life-saving treatments;
      3. (C) Consent to withhold life-sustaining treatments; or
      4. (D) Amputation of any body part.

3. (c)

   1. (1) An initial health screening will be held.
   2. (2) If the initial screening indicates that treatment or further evaluation is needed, the division shall ensure that such treatment or evaluation is promptly provided.

4. (d)

   1. (1) A medical passport will be completed for each child in an out-of-home placement.
   2. (2) The medical passport is a brief, readable, and current summary of the child’s health history and current health status for use by present and future caretakers of the child.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: "08/2013"