AR SB604

Requires racial impact statements for bills that create new misdemeanor or felony offenses, substantively change existing offenses, change penalties, or alter sentencing, parole, or probation procedures.

Statements must be prepared within 15 days of filing and submitted to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law before committee hearings.

The Office of Economic and Tax Policy, University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law, and Department of Criminal Justice shall prepare statements, with cooperation from the Arkansas Sentencing Commission, Department of Correction, Administrative Office of the Courts, and Arkansas Crime Information Center in providing data.

Bill sponsors must consider amendments to lessen disparate impact on minorities identified in statements; if not amended, sponsors must document their reasoning in writing or withdraw the bill.

Bills called for final passage without a racial impact statement must be referred for statement preparation at least five days before reconsideration; requirement may be waived by two-thirds committee vote in emergency situations.