LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT) – An Arkansas state representative introduced a bill Friday to include nitrogen hypoxia as a form of execution in the state.
House Bill 1489, filed by Rep. Jeff Wardlaw (R-Hermitage) has several sponsors in the Arkansas House of Representatives, including a number from Region 8. The primary Senate sponsor is Sen. Blake Johnson (R-Corning).
Nitrogen-hypoxia is where the condemned inmate inhales nitrogen gas until they suffocate.
Lethal injection will still be a method of execution as well.
The bill would also require the Arkansas Division of Corrections to give the condemned inmate written notice of the method of execution.
“If lethal injection is selected as a method of execution, the written notice shall include the name or names of the drug or drugs to be used in the execution,” the bill stated.
The bill also states if a method of execution is declared unconstitutional, the death sentence remains in force until a lawful execution method is found.
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