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Senate committee votes down Arkansas hate crimes bill, lawmakers approve scaled-back measure
In Arkansas, the debate over a hate crimes bill turned into a spat between lawmakers Wednesday, who then went on to pass a scaled-back measure. Author: 5NEWS Web Staff Updated: 6:49 PM CDT April 7, 2021
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A hate crimes bill in Arkansas, which the Arkansas Senate Judiciary Committee discussed on Wednesday (April 7), caused a heated debate between lawmakers before being voted down.
Arkansas is one of the only three states in the U.S. that does not have a hate crimes law.
Senate Bill (SB) 3, sponsored by Sen. Jim Hendren (I-Gravette), would have enhanced sentences for criminals that committed crimes against a person based on color, race, sexual orientation and religion.
Senate Advances Scaled-Back Hate Crimes Bill, Committee Declines Original Legislation ualrpublicradio.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ualrpublicradio.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Joyce Elliott runs the real hate crime bill and it fails to advance
TESTIFYING: Sens. Jim Hendren and Joyce Elliott.
We will run SB3, the hate crime bill in Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow morning, 9:30. You are welcome to attend and testify.
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Sen. Joyce Eliott will ask the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning to endorse the real hate crime bill, the one that specifies sentencing enhancement on account of violent crimes committed against specific classes of people most often subject to discrimination.
She continued on Twitter to explain why she’d make this losing effort.
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I’ve had 3 people ask me why bother with running this bill. Others probably wonder. I understand that. Answers is “because it matters.” Because Arkansas needs a hate crime bill. One that is unequivocal about naming and being clear about what we mean. https://t.co/ODPBpTTjRg
SEN. JIMMY HICKEY: Closes for his bill.
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The Senate today approved SB 622, 22-7, the bill meant to make it appear Arkansas has passed a hate crimes bill without doing so.
The bill backed by the white male leaders of the House and Senate and the white male-controlled Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce says the conviction of several serious crimes can lead to a jury determination that the person convicted must serve 80 percent of a sentence. The requirement applies to those found guilty of a crime against a recognizable “class.” The original hate crimes bill, killed in committee this morning, specified classes of people and applied to a broader range of crimes with a requirement for a 20 percent enhancement for hate-motivated crimes.