AR SB552

Creates new offense of "capital rape" under Arkansas Code § 5-14-114 with seven specific circumstances, including sexual assault of children under 17 or 14 with serious physical injury, assault during commission of certain felonies, and assault by defendants with prior rape convictions

Establishes sentencing provisions: defendants 18+ face death penalty or life without parole; defendants under 18 face life with parole eligibility after minimum 30 years; offense is Class Y felony for other purposes

Removes parole eligibility for adult offenders convicted of capital rape but allows juvenile offenders parole hearing after 30 years with consideration of maturity, rehabilitation, and circumstances

Makes capital rape subject to no statute of limitations for prosecution and allows separate convictions for capital rape and underlying felonies used to establish the offense

Amends numerous Arkansas Code sections to apply capital rape provisions to sentencing, appeals, victim notifications, parole procedures, and various licensing and background check requirements