All Roll Calls
Yes: 132 • No: 0
ArkansasSB4852025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SUSPENDED IMPOSITION OF A SENTENCE, PROBATION, PAROLE, AND POST-RELEASE SUPERVISION.
Sponsored By: Clarke Tucker (Democratic), Jimmy Gazaway (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Stricter limits on community correction placement
Community correction placement is limited to the group targeted by the General Assembly. People must be legally eligible for the felony sentence or otherwise under Division of Community Correction supervision. Custody disciplinary violations for violent acts or sexual misconduct disqualify a person. Current or prior convictions for listed violent or sexual offenses also disqualify a person. A prior conviction is exempt only if it predates the current offense by more than five years and its sentence has expired.
Less jail time for unpaid fines
Jail time for unpaid fines is limited to one day per $100 owed, replacing one day per $40. The shorter limit applies: that calculation or 30 days for misdemeanors and one year for felonies. People eligible for a public defender automatically get $100 off their fines for each day jailed for nonpayment. Others must petition the court for that reduction. Credits cannot exceed the remaining fine balance and do not reduce restitution.
Release plans prioritize continued work and treatment
Reentry plans must prioritize continuing positive activities that inmates took part in while incarcerated. These include employment and mental health or substance-use treatment. The rule sets a planning priority, not a guarantee of a job or treatment services.
Supervision rules must fit each person
Probation, suspended-sentence, parole, and post-release conditions must be narrowly tailored to each person's rehabilitation, public safety, and crime-related risks. Courts must consider a presentence report when available; otherwise, they must use all available information. Courts must explain in their orders why probation or suspended-sentence rules bar contact with a specific person or group.
Courts must consider recommended probation lengths
The Arkansas Sentencing Commission must set recommended lengths for probation and suspended sentences. Courts must consider those recommendations when setting a definite term. The term cannot exceed the maximum jail or prison sentence allowed for the offense. The law sets no recommended lengths, so it does not guarantee a shorter term.
Earned discharge objections need written reasons
Prosecutors and the Post-Prison Transfer Board must submit earned-discharge objections in writing and explain their reasons. Objections must be submitted within 30 days after receipt of the notice. This applies to eligible people on probation or parole and does not change discharge eligibility.
Clearer decisions on community correction transfers
Arkansas sentencing and correctional agencies must create an intake policy that maximizes use of community correction, work-release, and reentry beds. When a court denies an otherwise eligible inmate an administrative transfer, its sentencing order must explain why in writing. These rules do not guarantee placement or transfer.
Corrections and courts strengthen rehabilitation practices
The Department of Corrections must create a unit for research, evaluation, audits, statistics, and planning, including studies of treatment. Officer evaluations and promotions must assess risk-assessment skills, evidence-based case planning, and engagement in rehabilitation. The courts office must work with corrections to develop training on reducing repeat offenses and using risk-and-needs assessments. Subject to General Assembly funding, it must develop a pilot adding presentence officers whose reports include validated risk-and-needs assessments.
Supervised people face rewards and sanctions
The Division of Community Correction must create point-based reward and sanction guides for probation, parole, and post-release supervision. The guides cover positive behavior, violations, sanction thresholds, and how officers balance rewards against sanctions. Rewards must be meaningful at each risk level, including rewards for goals and milestones. Parole responses must also consider risk level, earlier sanctions, and the severity of current and past violations. The law sets no reward amounts or automatic sentence reductions.
Supervision providers face annual funding checks
The Department of Corrections must review covered probation, parole, and post-release service providers every year. Reviews check compliance with required evidence-based programs and service standards. The Board of Corrections must publish results and identify noncompliant providers in its annual report. Noncompliant providers cannot receive public funds until they show they can meet the requirements.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Clarke Tucker
Democratic • Senate
Jimmy Gazaway
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Carol Dalby
Republican • House
Ben Gilmore
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/9/2025
House Vote - Wednesday, April 9, 2025 8:31:59 PM
Yes: 98 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/7/2025
Senate Vote - Monday, April 7, 2025 2:16:26 PM
Yes: 34 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Notification that SB485 is now Act 670
4/18/2025SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
4/10/2025SenateReported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
4/10/2025SenateORDERED ENROLLED
4/9/2025SenateReturned from the House as passed.
4/9/2025SenateReturned to the Senate as passed.
4/9/2025HouseRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
4/9/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
4/8/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY COMMITTEE- HOUSE
4/7/2025HouseRECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
4/7/2025HouseOrdered immediately transmitted to the House.
4/7/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/7/2025SenateREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
4/3/2025SenateAmendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
4/3/2025SenatePlaced on second reading for purpose of amendment.
4/3/2025SenateReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 1
4/2/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE
3/17/2025SenateFiled
3/17/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB485 - Introduced
3/17/2025
Act Version
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