Civil Rights Update - March 6

We Support:

• SB299 (Sen. Wilkins) establishes a new racial profiling task force that will get data from state police on traffic stops and work with law enforcement and civil rights advocates to determine an effective strategies to prevent racial profiling.
• HB1637 by Rep. Blount (Marianna) will make it easier for ex-felons to register to vote once their debt to society is paid.
• Three bills improving domestic violence laws are moving at the legislature, all sponsored by Rep. Dawn Creekmore. HB1039, to strengthen the definition of second degree battery, is now Act 194. HB1041, to strengthen the penalty for third degree battery, and HB1038, to strengthen orders of protection to protect victims of violence from further contact with their attackers, are both awaiting a final vote in the House.
• SJR12 to pass the ERA.  It failed in Senate Committee by one vote.  Voting FOR the ERA were: Senators Randy Laverty (Jasper), Steve Faris (?), Ed Wilkinson (?), Steve Bryles (Blythville).  Voting AGAINST were: Senators Bobby Glover (Carlisle), Bill Pritchard (Elkins), Gilbert Baker (Conway), Kim Hendren (?).  The bill may be reconsidered and one no vote on the committee changing their position will send the bill forward.
  ERA talking points
• We are developing a committee to pursue better civil rights laws in Arkansas.  Please e-mail us at Congress@CitizensFirst.org if you are interested in joining.

We Oppose:

• HB1093 restricts currently available services to undocumented immigrants and even criminalizes the work of good Samaritan’s who offer undocumented immigrants help with health care, food, housing, etc. HB1093 has been tabled.