(a) If a comprehensive mental health evaluation is not performed at the request of the minor convicted of capital murder, § 5-10-101, or murder in the first degree, § 5-10-102, before his or her trial or before he or she is sentenced, the circuit court shall ensure that a comprehensive mental health evaluation is conducted on the minor by an adolescent mental health professional licensed in the state before the minor's entry into the Division of Correction for a sentence of life imprisonment.(b) A comprehensive mental health evaluation ordered under this section shall include without limitation the following information concerning the minor: (1) Family interviews;(2) Prenatal history;(3) Developmental history;(4) Medical history;(5) History of treatment for substance use;(6) Social history; and(7) A psychological evaluation.(c) A comprehensive mental health evaluation conducted under this section: (1) Is not admissible into evidence at a trial or sentencing over the objections of the minor; and(2) Shall be included in any documentation or inmate file kept by the Division of Correction or, if the minor is eventually supervised on parole or post-release supervision, the Division of minor; and(2) Shall be included in any documentation or inmate file kept by the Division of Correction or, if the minor is eventually supervised on parole or post-release supervision, the Division of Community Correction.Amended by Act 2023, No. 659,§ 122, eff. 1/1/2024.Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 858, eff. 7/1/2019.Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 857, eff. 7/1/2019.Added by Act 2017, No. 539,§ 8, eff. 3/20/2017.
Arkansas Legal Code