Bill > HB1948

This bill amends Arkansas law to expand the definition of negligent homicide by adding new circumstances under which a person can be charged with the offense. Specifically, the bill adds a provision that if a person is operating a vehicle with any amount of certain controlled substances (fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, or cocaine) in their system, as determined by a chemical test, they can be charged with negligent homicide if they cause a death. The bill also removes the ability of both prosecuting attorneys and defendants to subpoena certain individuals (such as instrument calibrators or chemical analysis operators) before a hearing or trial, which previously allowed either party to compel testimony by issuing a subpoena at least ten days before the trial date. This change limits the previous procedural options for obtaining witness testimony in cases involving chemical substance testing. The bill aims to strengthen legal provisions related to vehicle-related deaths and streamline certain legal procedures in such cases.

Justice

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1948&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R