Bill > HB1437

This bill expands existing Arkansas law to prohibit registered sex offenders who have been assessed as Level 3 or Level 4 offenders from entering water parks, swimming areas, and children's playgrounds within public parks. The bill provides specific definitions for these terms, including clarifying that "public park" includes not just state-owned property, but also parks owned by counties, cities, towns, or political subdivisions, and even includes portions of privately owned land with public park easements. The bill modifies the previous restriction, which only applied to water parks owned by local governments, to now include a broader range of public recreational spaces. Specifically, registered sex offenders are now prohibited from being within one hundred feet of these areas. Violation of this restriction remains a Class D felony. The legislation aims to enhance public safety by limiting registered sex offenders' proximity to areas frequently used by children and families, potentially reducing opportunities for potential sexual offenses in recreational settings.

Justice

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1437&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R