TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF THREAT OF HARM UPON A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION EMPLOYEE.

Senate Bill 597 (Act 770) creates a new criminal offense in Arkansas focused on protecting financial institution employees. It makes it illegal for a person to purposely engage in conduct that threatens or creates a potential danger to an employee of a bank, credit union, or mortgage lender while they are working, especially under circumstances showing extreme indifference to the employee's safety. This offense, known as "threat of harm upon a financial institution employee," is classified as a Class B misdemeanor. The bill aims to provide specific legal recourse for threats against individuals in these roles during their employment.