The bill seeks to update and clarify the laws governing the Division of Community Correction and the Division of Correction in Arkansas. It includes significant changes such as transferring sex offender community notification assessments to the Department of Corrections and specifying that confinement periods for offenders in community correction centers shall not exceed 365 days. The bill also replaces references to the "Division of Community Correction" with "community correction centers operated or contracted by a division of the Department of Corrections," ensuring that the Department retains legal custody of inmates in these facilities. Additionally, it outlines the responsibilities of local law enforcement in notifying the public about sex offenders and emphasizes the importance of maintaining eligibility assessments for offenders.

Furthermore, the bill modifies various sections of Arkansas law related to the management and reimbursement processes concerning county jails and the Department of Corrections. It clarifies that the Secretary of the Department of Corrections will ensure authorized employees have access to privileged records, which must remain confidential. The bill also details the reimbursement process for counties housing inmates when the Department cannot accept them due to insufficient bed space. Other amendments address the management of community correction services, establish minimum operational standards, and outline the procedures for counties to receive compensation for expenses incurred due to legal proceedings involving inmates. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline correctional processes, enhance accountability, and improve the management of correctional facilities and services in Arkansas.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB539 V2 - 4-1-2025 11:37 AM: 5-4-304(c), 5-4-312(b), 5-4-312(d), 12-12-911(b), 12-12-913(c), 12-12-917(g), 12-12-918(b), 12-27-113, 04-01-2025, 12-27-145, 12-27-114, 12-27-115, 12-27-125, 12-27-127, 12-29-205(a), 16-93-306(d), 16-93-306(g), 16-93-308(i), 16-93-309(a), 16-93-309(b), 16-93-310, 16-93-614(c), 16-93-617, 16-93-616, 16-93-618, 16-93-614, 16-93-712(d), 16-93-1202(2), 16-93-1202(4), 16-93-1202(8), 16-93-1202(10), 16-93-1205, 16-93-1207(a), 16-93-1804(1), 16-93-1907(a)
Old version SB539 Original - 3-20-2025 01:39 PM: 5-4-304(c), 5-4-312(b), 5-4-312(d), 12-12-911(b), 12-12-913(c), 12-12-917(g), 12-12-918(b), 12-27-113, 12-27-145, 12-27-114, 12-27-115, 12-27-125, 12-27-127, 12-29-205(a), 16-93-306(d), 16-93-306(g), 16-93-308(i), 16-93-309(a), 16-93-309(b), 16-93-310, 16-93-614(c), 16-93-617, 16-93-616, 16-93-618, 16-93-614, 16-93-1202(2), 16-93-1202(4), 16-93-1202(8), 16-93-1202(10), 16-93-1205, 16-93-1207(a), 16-93-1804(1)
SB 539: 5-4-304(c), 5-4-312(b), 5-4-312(d), 12-12-911(b), 12-12-913(c), 12-12-917(g), 12-12-918(b), 12-27-113, 12-27-145, 12-27-114, 12-27-115, 12-27-125, 12-27-127, 12-29-205(a), 16-93-306(d), 16-93-306(g), 16-93-308(i), 16-93-309(a), 16-93-309(b), 16-93-310, 16-93-614(c), 16-93-617, 16-93-616, 16-93-618, 16-93-614, 16-93-1202(2), 16-93-1202(4), 16-93-1202(8), 16-93-1202(10), 16-93-1205, 16-93-1207(a), 16-93-1804(1)
Act 723: 5-4-304(c), 5-4-312(b), 5-4-312(d), 12-12-911(b), 12-12-913(c), 12-12-917(g), 12-12-918(b), 12-27-113, 04-01-2025, 12-27-145, 12-27-114, 12-27-115, 12-27-125, 12-27-127, 12-29-205(a), 16-93-306(d), 16-93-306(g), 16-93-308(i), 16-93-309(a), 16-93-309(b), 16-93-310, 16-93-614(c), 16-93-617, 16-93-616, 16-93-618, 16-93-614, 16-93-712(d), 16-93-1202(2), 16-93-1202(4), 16-93-1202(8), 16-93-1202(10), 16-93-1205, 16-93-1207(a), 16-93-1804(1), 16-93-1907(a)