Arkansas Senate Bill SB356

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/3/25
• Refer: 3/3/25
• Failed: 5/5/25

Caption

To Allow Disclosure To A Judge Of Information Obtained From The Arkansas Crime Information Center By The Office Of Child Support Enforcement Or Crime Victims Reparations Board.

Impact

The proposed changes to the law will enhance the capabilities of the Office of Child Support Enforcement and the Crime Victims Reparations Board by granting them the authority to disclose relevant information to the courts. This is significant because it enables judges to make more informed decisions based on comprehensive crime data. As such, the bill is expected to streamline the processes associated with enforcing child support and providing reparations to crime victims, thereby ensuring justice is served more effectively.

Summary

Senate Bill 356 seeks to amend existing legislation governing access to records from the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC). The primary objective of this bill is to allow for the disclosure of certain information obtained from the ACIC to a district court judge, a circuit court judge, a Judge of the Court of Appeals, or a Justice of the Supreme Court, upon request. This amendment facilitates judicial access to valuable crime-related data, specifically for cases involving child support enforcement and crime victims reparations. By doing so, the bill aims to enhance judicial processes and improve the efficiency of legal proceedings where such information is pertinent.

Contention

While the bill has been designed to support judicial efficiency and the rights of victims, there may be concerns regarding the privacy of individuals whose information is stored within the ACIC. Critics of the bill could argue that broadening access to crime information might raise issues of confidentiality and could potentially lead to misuse of sensitive data. Furthermore, it will be crucial to monitor how this information is utilized within judicial settings to prevent any potential overreach that could compromise individual rights and protections.