SB7

Senate Bill 7 establishes a new criminal offense in Arkansas titled 'prescription drug harm or homicide.' Under this act, executive officers of pharmaceutical companies can be charged with an unclassified felony if they knowingly conceal evidence of a drug's dangerous effects, provided that the use of said drug leads to the death or serious physical injury of a person in Arkansas. The bill excludes licensed healthcare providers and pharmacists from this definition. It also mandates the creation of the 'Prescription Drug Harm or Homicide Offense Fund' to assist the Attorney General in prosecuting these cases. Funding for this initiative is authorized through grants, legislative appropriations, and other legal sources. This legislation includes a sunset clause and is set to expire on December 31, 2026, at which point any remaining funds will revert to the General Revenue Fund.