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UPDATE: 5/1/2023 - SB 8 died. It failed to pass the House Judiciary Committee before the session ended on 5/1/2023.
UPDATE: 4/6/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, 4/6/2023 at 9:00 AM in State Capitol Room 149. The agenda is here.
UPDATE: 4/3/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, 4/4/2023 at 10:00 AM in State Capitol Room 149. The agenda is here.
UPDATE: 3/29/2023 - SB 8 passed the Senate Third Reading by a vote of 33 Yeas, 0 Nays on 3/28/2023. It was referred to the House Judiciary Committee and is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday, March 30th at 10:00 AM at the State Capitol in Room 149. View the Agenda HERE. Continue to contact the House Judiciary Committee members until a vote is taken. Sometimes a vote is not taken on the day of the hearing.
UPDATE: 3/28/2023 - SB 8 was returned by the Senate Judiciary Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass. It is scheduled for the Third Reading in the Full Senate on 3/28/2023 at 1:00 PM.
UPDATE: 3/24/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, 3/27/2023 at 10:00 AM Room 171, in the State Capitol. The agenda is here.
UPDATE: 3/16/2023 - SB 8 was re-referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on 3/16/2023.
UPDATE: 3/15/2023 - SB 8 was amended and was recommended "Do Pass" by the Senate Judiciary Committee on 3/15/2023 by way of two amendments. The engrossed version of SB 8 can be viewed here. The amendments establish a "Vaccine Harm Offense Fund" to pay for prosecution of vaccine harm, funded by federal grant funds, appropriations from the General Assembly, and other revenues and funds authorized by law. The original bill did not have an expiration date, but the amended version causes the act to expire 12/31/2026 and requires any remaining funds to be transferred to the General Revenue Fund Account. While the amendments do not change NVIC's position, we would prefer that the provisions of the bill not expire.
UPDATE: 3/14/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, 3/15/2023 at 10:00 AM in Room 171. View current Agenda HERE. Continue to contact the Senate Judiciary Committee members until a vote is taken. Sometimes a vote is not taken on the day of the hearing.
UPDATE: 3/7/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, 3/13/2023 at 10:00 AM in Room 171. View current Agenda HERE. If the bill is not heard in the morning session, there is another session scheduled after the Senate adjourns. View the afternoon agenda HERE. Continue to contact the Senate Judiciary Committee members until a vote is taken. Sometimes a vote is not taken on the day of the hearing.
UPDATE: 3/7/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, 3/8/2023 at 10:00 AM in Room 171. View current Agenda HERE.
UPDATE: 3/3/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, 3/6/2023 at 10:00 AM in Room 171. View current Agenda HERE. The bill is listed in the deferred section of the agenda.
UPDATE: 2/27/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, 3/1/2023 at 10:00 AM in Room 171. View current Agenda HERE. The bill is listed in the deferred section of the agenda.
UPDATE: 2/23/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, 2/27/2023 at 10:00 AM in Room 171. View current Agenda HERE. The bill is listed in the deferred section of the agenda.
UPDATE: 2/21/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, 2/22/2023 at 10:00 AM in Room 171.
UPDATE: 2/21/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, 2/22/2023 at 10:00 AM in Room 171. View current agenda HERE. The bill is listed in the deferred section of the agenda.
UPDATE: 2/17/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, 2/20/2023 at 10:00 AM in Room 171. View Agenda HERE. The bill is listed in the deferred section of the agenda.
UPDATE: 2/13/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, 2/15/2023 at 10:00 AM in Room 171. Agenda: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Calendars/Agenda?id=51306420&committee=420&agenda=25593&date=2%2F15%2F2023. The bill is listed in the deferred section of the agenda.
UPDATE: 2/9/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, 2/13/2023 at 10:00 AM in Room 171. Agenda: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Calendars/Agenda?id=51269420&committee=420&agenda=25573&date=2%2F13%2F2023. The bill is listed in the deferred section of the agenda.
UPDATE: 2/7/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, 2/8/2023 at 10:00 AM in Room 171. Agenda: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Calendars/Agenda?id=51225420&committee=420&agenda=25556&date=2%2F8%2F2023
UPDATE: 2/3/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, February 6th, 2023 at 10:00 AM in Room 171, however it is listed on the agenda under the "Deferred Bill" section. View the Agenda HERE.
UPDATE: 1/30/2023 - SB 8 was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee and amended, however, the amendment does not change our position or the nature of the bill.
UPDATE: 1/27/2023 - SB 8 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on 1/30/2023 at 10:00 am in Room 171, State Capitol, Little Rock. Agenda: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Calendars/Agenda?id=51118420&committee=420&agenda=25490&date=1%2F30%2F2023
UPDATE: 1/24/2023 - SB 8 was scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, 1/25/2023 at 10:00 am in Room 171, State Capitol Little Rock, Arkansas. Link to agenda.
UPDATE: 1/19/2023 - SB 8 was amended in the Senate Judiciary Committee to clarify the exclusion of healthcare providers, healthcare facilities including pharmacies, hospitals or pharmacists from pharmaceutical companies. This amendment doesn't change the bill as it still establishes a criminal offense of vaccine harm for pharmaceutical executives. The bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on 1/19/2023 as well.
UPDATE: 1/9/2023 - SB 8 was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
SB 8 was introduced by Senator Bryan King on 1/3/2023.
This bill would create a criminal offense of vaccine harm if:
(1) The person is an executive officer for a pharmaceutical company and is eighteen (18) years of age or older;
(2) The person introduces a vaccine produced by the pharmaceutical company into the market;
(3) The person knowingly hides, conceals, omits, or otherwise withholds evidence, documentation, or information that the vaccine has dangerous effects;
(4) Another person receives the vaccine in this state through a vaccination containing the vaccine; and
(5) The vaccination causes the death of or serious physical injury to the other person.
"Executive officer" is defined as a president, chair of an executive committee, chief financial officer, or other individual with managerial authority who performs similar functions to a president, chair of an executive committee, or chief financial officer.
"Vaccine harm" is defines as an unclassified felony with a sentence of imprisonment of not less than one (1) year and not more than life.
This bill holds vaccine manufacturer executive officers criminally liable when their acts or omissions cause individuals harm. While the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 prevents vaccine manufacturers from being held liable for civil damages for a person's death or injury caused by a vaccine, SB 8 only imposes criminal liability to executive officers, therefore SB 8 should not be preempted by federal law.
https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=SB8&ddBienniumSession=2023%2F2023R - text, status, and history of SB 8
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