This bill amends the conditions under which negligent homicide is committed in Arkansas, specifically in relation to operating a vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft. It establishes that a person can be charged with negligent homicide if they cause the death of another person while operating a vehicle under various circumstances, including being intoxicated, having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, passing a stopped school bus, being fatigued, or having any amount of a controlled substance in their system. The bill defines "controlled substance" to include fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, and specifies that the methods for chemical testing must comply with existing laws.

Additionally, the bill repeals the ability of prosecuting attorneys or defendants to subpoena certain individuals before a hearing or trial, which previously allowed them to compel testimony from individuals involved in the chemical analysis of bodily substances. This change aims to streamline the legal process related to negligent homicide cases by removing the requirement for subpoenas in these circumstances.

Statutes affected:
HB 1948: 5-10-105(a), 5-10-105(c), 5-65-206(d)