AR SB19

Amends Arkansas Code § 5-4-701 to define "first responder" as a firefighter or emergency medical provider, and expands "law enforcement officer" to include prosecuting attorneys, deputy prosecuting attorneys, code enforcement officers, and corrections officers.

Creates new sentence enhancement statute (§ 5-4-704) for offenses where the victim is purposely selected because of their employment as a law enforcement officer or first responder, or because they are the spouse or child of such an officer.

Establishes enhanced penalties for misdemeanor convictions of up to $500 fine and 6 months in county jail, consecutive to any other sentence.

Establishes enhanced penalties for felony convictions of up to $5,000 fine and 5 years imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence.

Prohibits the sentence enhancement if the offense already includes as an element that the victim is a law enforcement officer or first responder.