The bill seeks to update and clarify the laws governing the Division of Community Correction and the Division of Correction in Arkansas. It transfers responsibilities for sex offender community notification assessments to the Department of Corrections and specifies that confinement periods in community correction centers can last up to 365 days. The bill replaces references to the "Division of Community Correction" with "community correction centers operated or contracted by a division of the Department of Corrections," streamlining processes for determining eligibility for community correction programs and managing inmate records. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining jurisdiction over defendants and compliance with established rules, ultimately aiming to enhance public safety measures related to sex offenders.

Moreover, the bill modifies various sections of Arkansas law concerning the management and reimbursement processes related to county jails and the Department of Corrections. It replaces "Division of Correction" with "Department of Corrections" and clarifies the reimbursement process for counties housing inmates when the Department cannot accept them. The bill also details the responsibilities of community correction services, including the administration of probation and parole, and establishes minimum standards for community correction programs. It emphasizes confidentiality and security of offender records while outlining conditions for disclosure. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline operations within the correctional system, enhance accountability, and improve the efficiency of the reimbursement process for counties.

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)