TO ADD A MISDEMEANOR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE OFFENSE TO THE PREDICATE OFFENSES FOR CAPITAL MURDER, MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE, AND MANSLAUGHTER.

HB 1630 amends Arkansas law to classify certain drug-related deaths as capital murder, first-degree murder, or manslaughter. Specifically, it adds misdemeanor violations involving the actual delivery of controlled substances (like small-scale drug sales) to the list of offenses that can trigger these severe charges when death occurs during or immediately after the drug activity. For example, if someone causes a death while selling drugs in a misdemeanor-level transaction, it could now be prosecuted as first-degree murder instead of manslaughter. This change directly affects individuals involved in low-level drug transactions where a death occurs during the offense. The bill passed both chambers and became Act 599 on April 14, 2025.