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AR SB442

Bill

Status

Passed

4/18/2025

Primary Sponsor

Joshua Bryant

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Origin

Senate

95th General Assembly (2025 Regular)

AI Summary

  • Adds trafficking of persons to the list of offenses allowing asset forfeiture, including conveyances (aircraft, vehicles, vessels), real property, money, telecommunications equipment, computers, and negotiable instruments used in Human Trafficking Act violations

  • Creates the new criminal offense of "harboring an endangered runaway minor" for knowingly harboring a runaway minor for 72+ hours without parental consent, punishable as a Class A misdemeanor (first offense) or Class D felony (subsequent offenses) with a mandatory $1,000 fine

  • Establishes the Human Trafficking Operations Unit within Arkansas State Police, including a Human Trafficking Coordinator position to supervise investigations, collect data, coordinate task forces, and administer the new support fund

  • Creates the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council Support Fund to replace the former Human Trafficking Victim Support Fund, funded by fines from trafficking and prostitution offenses, asset forfeitures, and appropriations, to provide victim services, grants to nonprofits, and unit operational support

  • Increases penalties for sexual solicitation from an unclassified misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor (first offense) or Class D felony (subsequent offense), and requires sex offender education/treatment programs for those convicted of sexual solicitation of a minor

Legislative Description

To Amend The Law Concerning Human Trafficking; To Provide For Forfeiture Of Assets Used To Conduct Human Trafficking; And To Create The Offense Of Harboring An Endangered Runaway Child.

Last Action

Notification that SB442 is now Act 667

4/18/2025

Committee Referrals

Judiciary4/2/2025
Judiciary3/12/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available