Arkansas bill addresses church security training and civil liability protections

A proposed bill aimed at enhancing security measures in Arkansas churches sparked significant discussion during the House Judiciary Committee meeting on March 6, 2025. The legislation seeks to provide civil liability protection for volunteer church security teams, contingent upon their completion of adequate training.

Currently, many churches lack formal training programs for security personnel, with some relying on external security companies for guidance. The bill's proponents argue that requiring training for immunity will incentivize churches to adopt better security practices. Representative Fuhrman emphasized the importance of defining what constitutes "adequate training," suggesting that companies like Strata Go could set a high standard for church security training.

A key point of contention arose regarding the bill's relationship to existing self-defense laws. Representative Tash raised concerns about whether the new legislation would undermine civil liability protections established in 2015 for individuals using deadly force in self-defense. However, legal reviews indicated that the new bill is narrowly tailored to apply specifically to church security teams, thus avoiding conflicts with previous laws.

The committee also discussed the process for determining negligence among security personnel. Questions were raised about who would decide if a security team acted recklessly in a situation involving deadly force. While it was suggested that such decisions would ultimately fall to a judge or jury, the lack of clear language in the bill regarding civil immunity in cases of criminal charges against security personnel left some committee members seeking further clarification.

As the discussion continued, the committee welcomed public input, with speakers lined up to express their views on the proposed legislation. The outcome of this bill could significantly impact how churches approach security and liability in the state, highlighting the ongoing dialogue around safety and legal protections in community spaces.