The proposed legislation in Arkansas establishes "capital rape" as a distinct offense, defined as engaging in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual activity with a person aged thirteen or younger under specific aggravating circumstances, such as causing serious physical injury or using a deadly weapon. The bill outlines severe penalties, including the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole for offenders aged eighteen or older, while those under eighteen would face life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after twenty years. It emphasizes that consent from the victim is not a defense against prosecution for capital rape and incorporates this new offense into existing legal frameworks, classifying it as a Class Y felony and detailing prosecution timelines and sentencing guidelines.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Arkansas Code to include capital rape in the definitions of serious crimes, expands the definition of "crime of violence" to include capital rape, and introduces provisions for enhanced sentencing if certain crimes are committed in the presence of a child. It also mandates sex offender screenings for juveniles adjudicated delinquent for capital rape and allows for the prosecution of juveniles as adults for this offense. The legislation aims to strengthen protections for victims and enhance the legal framework surrounding serious violent crimes, ensuring that individuals convicted of capital rape are ineligible for certain rights and privileges, including working with children and receiving parole.

Statutes affected:
SB 375: 5-1-109(a), 5-1-110(d), 5-3-203(1), 5-3-301(b), 5-3-404, 5-4-104(b), 5-4-104(d), 5-4-106(b), 5-4-301(a), 5-4-501(c), 5-4-501(d), 5-4-601, 5-10-101, 5-51-201, 5-14-114, 5-4-602, 5-4-607, 5-4-608, 5-4-604, 5-4-605, 5-4-607(a), 5-4-618(b), 5-4-702(a), 5-4-801(2), 5-10-101(a), 5-14-103(c), 5-14-103, 5-42-203(4), 5-54-105(b), 5-73-202(1), 5-74-103(2), 5-74-202(2), 5-79-101(a), 6-17-410(c), 6-17-414(b), 9-10-121(a), 9-27-303(15), 9-27-318(b), 9-27-318(c), 9-27-356(a), 5-14-124, 5-14-125, 5-26-202, 5-27-303, 9-27-357(a), 9-27-501(a), 9-27-502(b), 9-27-507(b), 9-27-507(e), 9-27-510(c), 9-28-409(e), 11-5-115(a), 12-12-104(f), 12-12-313(e), 12-12-903(13), 12-12-919(a), 12-12-904, 13-4-409(c), 16-33-305, 16-42-103(d), 16-80-104(a), 16-87-205(c), 16-87-212(c), 16-87-218(c), 16-90-803(b), 16-90-1101(6), 16-91-110(b), 16-91-202(e), 16-93-204(d), 16-93-207(d), 16-93-615(b), 16-93-621(a), 16-93-702(b), 16-93-1802(1), 16-118-118(a), 17-3-102(a), 17-3-102(e), 17-17-312(f), 18-16-112(a), 20-13-1106(a), 20-38-105(c), 21-15-102(f), 21-15-102(g), 21-15-103(g), 21-15-103(h), 21-15-104(c)
Act 662: 5-1-109(a), 5-1-110(d), 5-3-203(1), 5-3-301(b), 5-3-404, 5-4-104(b), 5-4-104(d), 5-4-106(b), 5-4-301(a), 5-4-501(c), 5-4-501(d), 5-4-601, 5-10-101, 5-51-201, 5-14-114, 5-4-602, 5-4-607, 5-4-608, 5-4-604, 5-4-605, 5-4-607(a), 5-4-618(b), 5-4-702(a), 5-4-801(2), 5-10-101(a), 5-14-103(c), 5-14-103, 5-42-203(4), 5-54-105(b), 5-73-202(1), 5-74-103(2), 5-74-202(2), 5-79-101(a), 6-17-410(c), 6-17-414(b), 9-10-121(a), 9-27-303(15), 9-27-318(b), 9-27-318(c), 9-27-356(a), 5-14-124, 5-14-125, 5-26-202, 5-27-303, 9-27-357(a), 9-27-501(a), 9-27-502(b), 9-27-507(b), 9-27-507(e), 9-27-510(c), 9-28-409(e), 11-5-115(a), 12-12-104(f), 12-12-313(e), 12-12-903(13), 12-12-919(a), 12-12-904, 13-4-409(c), 16-33-305, 16-42-103(d), 16-80-104(a), 16-87-205(c), 16-87-212(c), 16-87-218(c), 16-90-803(b), 16-90-1101(6), 16-91-110(b), 16-91-202(e), 16-93-204(d), 16-93-207(d), 16-93-615(b), 16-93-621(a), 16-93-702(b), 16-93-1802(1), 16-118-118(a), 17-3-102(a), 17-3-102(e), 17-17-312(f), 18-16-112(a), 20-13-1106(a), 20-38-105(c), 21-15-102(f), 21-15-102(g), 21-15-103(g), 21-15-103(h), 21-15-104(c)