The proposed legislation seeks to establish "capital rape" as a distinct offense in Arkansas law, defining it 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 various scenarios that constitute capital rape, including instances where the perpetrator has prior convictions for rape or capital rape. Penalties for this offense are severe, with individuals aged eighteen or older facing the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole, while those under eighteen may receive life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after twenty years. The bill also amends existing laws to classify capital rape as a Class Y felony, allows for permanent no-contact orders against convicted individuals, and clarifies that consent from the victim is not a defense in such cases.

Additionally, the bill updates the Arkansas Code to include capital rape in various legal contexts, such as disqualifying offenses for background checks related to positions involving direct contact with children and individuals with mental disabilities. It specifies that both "rape" and "capital rape" are included in the list of offenses that disqualify individuals from certain positions, ensuring that those with serious offenses cannot be placed in roles where they could harm vulnerable populations. The legislation reflects a strong stance against child sexual offenses, emphasizing the need for stringent legal measures to protect children and enhance the legal framework surrounding serious crimes.

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)