City, County & Local Affairs Committee- House

For against the bill the only real we're going here today is house bill ten fourteen I would ask you to sign up to my left. At this point Danny Watson the representative Watson should I say you're ready to per to present the bill. Thank you good morning Mr culture. House bill ten fourteen bringing this back there were a lot of uh I guess the word would be miss apprehensions about the the intent of this bill in a month I mean I'm going to clarify what's all going on. It section two of house bill ten fourteen section two this bill provides a person convicted of a felony of a felony or not eligible to be a deputy coroner the same is true for law enforcement officers and jailers in Arkansas. Neither law enforcement officers or jailers in Arkansas could be convicted felons corner in deputy corner like law enforcement officers and jailers. Or what is considered positions of trust. Corners and deputy corners are entrusted with gathering evidence and investigating the calls in matter of deaths. Some deaths are suspicious deaths. In part of criminal investigations corners in law enforcement officers are both subject to cross examination as witnesses as to the evidence they gathered during investigation and they're handled as a part of the chain of custody I have been involved right in the middle of this occasion like this in a court of law. Personally myself back in my previous occupation may I say also corners entity corners are authorized to the SS crime scenes which are in private residences and in places of business they are charged with responsibility confiscate drugs under a prescription and illicit drugs at the scene of the death or crimes. Again my intent my purpose is to is to reinforce the importance of the corner and deputy corner because they are up they are in a position of trust And we need it needs to it needs to state that the they cannot be felonies of any felony convictions. Any questions. If there are no questions I would I'll close and I appreciate a call okay representing. Okay a representative Dalby you're recognized. Represent all the absolutely yes up very very important and follow up. Yeah okay I'm on now so I don't have to yield a in so in that regard it would be important to have someone that you can trust to has no other alter your motives because of chain of custody for when they come before court in criminal cases correct correct absolutely absolutely critical okay thank you thank you Mr. Okay any other questions you have representative Andrew you're recognized. Thank Mr a reserve also what was the issue with this bill out for remind me well we're come back to the committee with the the misapprehension of was the fact that they cannot have a felony conviction of no matter how long ago whether was exposure nolo contendere or anything no no felony conviction the same as a in the commission police officer no felony convictions. Representative quicker you're recognized for a question. Thank you Mr Ragland wants Watson as I recall from primary standpoint Mr re referred for amendment. It may have been classified as that. But your wallet please. You're not intending to amend that this meeting no just took it to just the to communicate the misapprehension of the importance for them not to be a felt. Thank you okay. Representative Ryan you're recognized. Thank you Mr represented any if a person in that condition whether it be with medicine or drugs or whatever if they had their record of sponsors. Would they be able to take just a job as corn. I understand no I understand no. Seeing no other questions. We do not understand by the audience that would like to speak for the bill. A. Representative of watching you're recognized to close for your bill yes up Mister chair I close for the bill I appreciate a admirable vote on this thank you. All right what's the will of the body. I have a motion do pass any discussion on the motion. Seeing none all in favor say aye. Okay. All right yeah represent right this time I recognize you. Thank you Mr chairman I just want to recognize the assessor Poinsett county judge branding for being here we sure appreciate you coming. All right and next week we will be hearing Senate bill forty three by Mary Bentley and it will of Mary Bentley will be presenting the bill add to well we will do that first. and then I have a bill in some other bills we have time we will back the. With no other. This is before the committee we are.