AR HB1769

Creates the Arkansas Animal Abuse Registry within the Arkansas Crime Information Center with a publicly accessible website list of persons convicted of animal abuse offenses.

Defines "animal abuse offense" as felony cruelty to animals, aggravated cruelty to dogs/cats/horses, felony unlawful animal fighting involving dogs/cats/horses, or future felony animal cruelty offenses enacted by the General Assembly.

Registry entries include photograph, full legal name, and identifying data necessary to identify the person and exclude innocent persons, but excludes Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers.

First-time animal abuse offenders remain on the registry for 2 years following conviction; subsequent offenders remain listed for 5 years following their most recent conviction; offenders are removed if no additional conviction occurs during the retention period.

Circuit court clerks must forward sentencing orders and dates of birth to the Crime Information Center within 60 days of sentencing; offenders can be removed if their sole offense is sealed or pardoned under the Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013.

The act becomes effective January 1, 2018.