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Committee approves sentence enhancement bill for violent crimes at houses of worship
Summary
The Judiciary panel approved House Bill 18‑09 to add an additional 1–10 year term for serious violent offenses occurring at churches or similar places; the additional term was described as 'day for day' and ineligible for early release by the Arkansas Public Defender representative.
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved House Bill 18‑09, which would add an additional term of imprisonment for offenders who commit serious violent acts at churches or other places of worship.
Senator Clark said the bill authorizes an extra term of one to ten years for such offenses and includes a provision that the additional term is not eligible for early release or community‑correction transfer. Committee members asked technical questions about how the enhancement interacts with a defendant’s earned good‑time credits and parole eligibility.
Greg Parish of the Arkansas Public Defender Commission told the panel his interpretation is that the enhancement is served “day for day” and is not subject to early release. Committee members discussed how the enhancement would be added to substantive sentences and how credits are applied to underlying convictions.
After technical clarifications, Senator Clark closed debate, moved to pass the bill and the committee approved it by voice vote. The transcript records committee approval but does not include a roll‑call tally.
