HB 1625 - Safe Trails Act Summary

• Adds definition of "easement" to Arkansas sexual offense code as a surface easement for pedestrian, bicycle, and recreational use

• Exempts sex offenders from residency restrictions on property they owned prior to specific dates: July 16, 2003 (schools/daycare), July 31, 2007 (parks/youth centers), and the effective date of the act (privately owned land with easements for public park systems)

• Exemptions no longer apply if the sex offender is convicted of another sex offense after the respective exemption date

• Expands definition of "public park" to include portions of privately owned land over which easements have been granted to the state or local governments for public park system use

• Approved April 27, 2021