The bill seeks to update and clarify the legal framework governing the Division of Community Correction and the Division of Correction in Arkansas. Key amendments include the transfer of sex offender community notification assessments to the Department of Corrections and the specification 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 center operated or contracted by a division of the Department of Corrections," thereby streamlining terminology and enhancing clarity regarding the management of inmate commitments and transfers. Additionally, it emphasizes the responsibilities of law enforcement in public notifications about sex offenders and outlines procedures for court jurisdiction over defendants in community correction programs.

Further changes address the management and reimbursement processes related to county jails and the Department of Corrections, including the replacement of "Division of Correction" with "Department of Corrections" throughout the text. The bill mandates that counties submit itemized claims for reimbursement verified by the county judge and clarifies the conditions under which reimbursement will begin. It also establishes guidelines for probationers and the authority of the Post-Prison Transfer Board in facilitating inmate rehabilitation. An emergency clause is included to underscore the urgency of these changes in addressing repeat criminal activity and enhancing public safety. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions regarding the handling of vetoed legislation, clarifying the effective date of overridden bills, and includes a construction section to resolve conflicts with previous acts.

Statutes affected:
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)
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)
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)