The bill seeks to amend Arkansas laws concerning specialty court programs, particularly focusing on the sealing of records upon successful completion of these programs. It repeals Arkansas Code 5-4-906, which previously governed the sealing process for pre-adjudication probation programs, and updates the definition of specialty court programs to encompass drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, and DWI/BWI specialty courts. The bill clarifies the roles of the Specialty Court Program Advisory Committee and introduces new provisions for the appointment of judges to this committee, specifying that they will be appointed by the Arkansas District Judges Judicial Council, Inc. Additionally, it allows for the assessment of user fees for participants and outlines funding mechanisms for these programs.

Moreover, the bill establishes a new subchapter titled "Specialty Court Programs," detailing procedures for case dismissal and record sealing upon program completion. It grants judges the authority to seal records without limits on prior felony convictions, although certain offenses are excluded until lookback periods have passed. The bill emphasizes the need for judicial intervention in drug court programs, modifies existing provisions to align with national standards, and mandates the development of policies for these programs in each judicial circuit. It also creates a Division of Specialty Court Programs within the Administrative Office of the Courts to oversee coordination and data collection, while establishing financial responsibilities for offenders participating in these programs. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the structure, administration, and effectiveness of specialty court programs in Arkansas.

Statutes affected:
HB 1835: 5-4-906, 16-90-1401, 10-3-2901(b), 16-10-139, 5-4-901, 16-98-301, 16-93-1701, 9-27-801, 16-98-302(b), 16-10-141, 16-17-707, 16-10-141(b), 5-4-907, 16-10-701, 16-98-304, 16-101-104, 16-93-104(a), 16-10-143, 16-10-144, 19-11-709(d), 16-102-101, 16-101-101, 16-98-303, 16-90-1403(b), 16-98-302, 16-98-306, 9-27-334, 16-98-305, 16-93-1202, 12-12-901, 5-70-102, 5-39-201(a), 5-39-201(b), 5-39-202, 5-65-103, 16-10-305, 12-27-125(b), 14-14-1313, 16-98-303(b), 10-3-2901, 16-100-101(2), 16-100-202(b), 16-100-204, 16-100-208, 16-9-1602, 16-101-106, 16-93-1202(10), 16-102-102(d), 16-102-102(g)
Act 691: 5-4-906, 16-90-1401, 10-3-2901(b), 16-10-139, 5-4-901, 16-98-301, 16-93-1701, 9-27-801, 16-98-302(b), 16-10-141, 16-17-707, 16-10-141(b), 5-4-907, 16-10-701, 16-98-304, 16-101-104, 16-93-104(a), 16-10-143, 16-10-144, 19-11-709(d), 16-102-101, 16-101-101, 16-98-303, 16-90-1403(b), 16-98-302, 16-98-306, 9-27-334, 16-98-305, 16-93-1202, 12-12-901, 5-70-102, 5-39-201(a), 5-39-201(b), 5-39-202, 5-65-103, 16-10-305, 12-27-125(b), 14-14-1313, 16-98-303(b), 10-3-2901, 16-100-101(2), 16-100-202(b), 16-100-204, 16-100-208, 16-9-1602, 16-101-106, 16-93-1202(10), 16-102-102(d), 16-102-102(g)