HB 1951 Summary

• Expands the definition of sexual indecency with a child (§ 5-14-110) to include two new Class A and C misdemeanor offenses: knowingly exposing genitals to a minor of the opposite gender in a public changing facility, and entering a public changing facility assigned to the opposite gender while knowing a minor of the opposite gender is present

• Establishes exceptions to the public changing facility provisions for individuals accompanying children under 7 years old, maintenance/inspection personnel, medical assistance providers, law enforcement/corrections officers, and family members or authorized caregivers

• Modifies the statute of limitations, additional fines, and sex offender registration requirements to apply the expanded definition when sexual indecency with a child is charged as a felony or Class A misdemeanor

• Excludes misdemeanor violations of sexual indecency with a child from various sex crime definitions throughout Arkansas law related to background checks, employment disqualification, victim protections, and DNA database requirements

• Defines "gender" as the physical condition stated on a person's birth certificate at birth and "public changing facility" to include restrooms, bathrooms, locker rooms, and shower rooms