AR HB1727

Amends Arkansas Code § 5-13-211 to establish aggravated assault upon law enforcement officers or correctional facility employees as a Class D felony when a person purposely throws, tosses, expels, or transfers saliva, blood, urine, feces, seminal fluid, or other bodily fluid with extreme indifference to personal hygiene.

Establishes aggravated assault as a Class Y felony when a person knowingly discharges a firearm with intent to cause serious physical injury or death to a law enforcement officer or correctional employee while they are acting within the scope of official duties, if certain aggravating circumstances exist.

Specifies aggravating circumstances for the Class Y felony charge, including the person being in custody for a felony conviction, having a prior felony conviction involving violence, creating substantial risk of injury to others, causing death of more than one person, or acting to avoid arrest, obtain money, or disrupt government functions.

Defines "contact with" to include contact with skin, face coverings, gloves, or uniforms of law enforcement officers or correctional facility employees.

Declares an emergency clause to take effect immediately upon the Governor's approval, or upon expiration of the Governor's veto period, or upon veto override by the legislature; approved April 6, 2021.