SB 73 Summary

• Amends Arkansas Code § 5-4-617 to establish lethal injection as the method of capital punishment, with chemicals selected at the Director of the Department of Correction's discretion.

• Specifies that lethal injection chemicals shall include one or more of the following: Sodium Pentothal or sodium thiopental, Pancuronium bromide, Potassium chloride, or Saline solution.

• Establishes detailed procedures for the Director and designee regarding chemical procurement, verification, preparation, inmate monitoring, execution chamber setup, and oversight of the executioner(s).

• Exempts execution policies and procedures from the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act and Freedom of Information Act, except for public disclosure of the choice of chemicals and their method and order of administration.

• Provides that if lethal injection is held unconstitutional by an appellate court, electrocution becomes the alternative method of execution at the Director's discretion.