To Amend The Law Concerning An Extended Post-conviction No Contact Order; And To Add Sexual Assault In The Second Degree To The Offenses For Which A Court May Issue An Extended Post-conviction No Contact Order.
Summary
HB1628 amends Arkansas law governing extended post-conviction no contact orders. Under current law, when requested by a prosecuting attorney, a court may consider issuing an extended no contact order for people convicted of certain serious offenses. This bill adds sexual assault in the second degree to the list of qualifying offenses, making that conviction eligible for the same post-conviction no contact order process already available for offenses such as rape, kidnapping, murder, battery, and domestic battering.
The bill does not create a new type of order or change the basic procedure; it expands the set of offenses that can trigger judicial review for an extended no contact order. In practical terms, it gives prosecutors and courts another tool to protect victims after conviction by restricting contact between the offender and the victim in cases involving second-degree sexual assault.
Impact
HB1628 amends Arkansas Code § 5-4-106(b) by adding sexual assault in the second degree to the offenses for which a court may issue an extended post-conviction no contact order at the request of the prosecuting attorney. The change affects sentencing/post-conviction conditions for defendants convicted of that offense and expands protections available to victims. It leaves the underlying criminal penalties unchanged but broadens the court’s authority to impose contact restrictions after conviction.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition: the bill passed the House 99-0 and the Senate 34-0 on third reading. With no committee transcript available, the overall sentiment appears favorable and noncontroversial, likely reflecting a victim-protection measure with limited policy dispute.
Contention
No specific points of contention are reflected in the available record. The only substantive policy choice in the bill is whether second-degree sexual assault should be treated like the other enumerated serious offenses for purposes of extended no contact orders. Because the bill passed unanimously in both chambers, there is no evidence of organized opposition or disagreement in the voting record.