AR SB686

Amends Arkansas Code § 5-26-303(b) to enhance domestic battering in the first degree from Class B to Class A felony if committed against a pregnant woman or if the person committed one or more domestic battering offenses within five years

Amends Arkansas Code § 5-26-304(b) to enhance domestic battering in the second degree from Class C to Class B felony if committed against a pregnant woman, if prior domestic battering convictions occurred within five years, or if two or more battery offenses against family or household members occurred within ten years

Amends Arkansas Code § 5-26-305(b) to enhance domestic battering in the third degree from Class A misdemeanor to Class D felony if committed against a pregnant woman, if prior domestic battering convictions occurred within five years, or if two or more battery offenses against family or household members occurred within ten years

Restructures language in all three sections to clarify that sentence enhancements apply when a person "committed" specified offenses within the applicable timeframes, rather than requiring prior "conviction" of such offenses

Adds violations of equivalent penal laws from other states or foreign jurisdictions as qualifying offenses for sentence enhancement in all three degrees of domestic battering