Thank you to all the legislators who advocated for the rights and safety of victims across Arkansas. Below is a summary of all the legislation passed in the 2020 - 2021 general session that includes a direct reference to domestic violence. As with any law, there is no telling how it may impact victims - however, we are sharing the list below to help prepare service providers and victims of the changing legislative landscape. 

​

• HB1059 - Added “domestic violence specialty courts” to the list of approved specialty court programs overseen by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). This will allow courts across the State to develop their own specialty court programs that are meant to improve the recognition and response to domestic violence. Link to bill:  https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=58.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R 

​

• HB 1058 - allowing jurors to donate their per diem compensation and mileage reimbursement to a non-profit agency with an emphasis on victim services. Link to bill: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=219.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R 

​

• HB 1105 - concerning the Domestic Violence Shelter Fund and the grant amount awarded (total) for fiscal year 2021 - 2022 to domestic violence shelters through this fund. Link to bill: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocumentpath=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=834.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R 

​

• HB 1106 - concerning the distribution and appropriation of funds to the Commission on Child Abuse, Rape, and Domestic Violence hosted by the University of Arkansas Medical School (UAMS). Link to bill: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=997.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R 

​

• HB 1499 - concerning Child Advocacy Centers and reports and investigations of child maltreatment. Link to bill: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=975.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R 

​

• HB 1721 - known as the “Phoenix Act” which expanded the training for law enforcement on domestic violence and child abuse, as well as the statue of limitation for domestic violence offenses. Link to bill: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=800.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R 

​

•  HB 1724 - Expands the eligibility for Orders of Protections, including animal abuse, to enhance protection and safety for victims of domestic violence. Link to bill: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=1068.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R 

​

• HB 1770 - mandated that schools (K-12 public or charter school, and 2 or 4-year institution of higher education) who require student identification badges must include the information to the domestic violence, sexual assault, and suivide prevention hotlines. As well as other campus-specific resources for those issues. Link to bill: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=1069.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R 

​

•  HB 1777 - concerning the protection of domestic violence victims voter registration information via the status as a “secure voter” which can be requested at the time of registration. Link to bill: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=980.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R 

​

• HB 1938 - establishing compulsory training for public safety agencies, specifically including recognizing and responding to domestic violence. Link to bill:b https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=1081.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R 

​

• SB 134 - concerning the appropriation of funds for the Administrative Office of the Courts from the Stop Domestic Violence program. Link to bill: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=1008.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R 

​

• SB 166 - allowing certain individuals to attend hearings concerning child maltreatment and all cases of children in foster care to be closed, with any exemptions to be approved by the court beforehand. Link to bill: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=738.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R 

​

• SB 211 - concerning the appropriation of domestic violence shelter program funding and grants from the Domestic Peace Fund. Link to fund: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=1005.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R 

​

• SB 552 - updating the Address Confidentiality Program’s definition of domestic violence and the requirements for a protected address to be disclosed to a third party. Link to bill: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2021R%2FPublic%2F&file=913.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2021%2F2021R

​

If you would like to submit an additional bill that was passed from the 2020 - 2021 legislative session that impacts victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, dating violence, and/or stalking - please send us an email at info@domesticpeace.com or call our main officeline.