AR SB620

Minors aged 17 or younger who are victims of human trafficking may raise an affirmative defense to prosecution for any nonviolent criminal offense if the offense was committed as a direct result of being trafficked

Adults aged 18 or older retain the existing affirmative defense for trafficking victims, but only for specific offenses including forgery, prostitution, obscene performance, and non-Class Y felony controlled substance offenses

Courts must now consider a juvenile's status as a victim of human trafficking, sexual abuse, or rape when deciding whether to transfer a delinquency case to adult criminal court or designate them as an extended juvenile jurisdiction offender

Expands the definition of human trafficking to include recruiting or obtaining minors through force, threats, or coercion to join criminal organizations or engage in criminal activity

When sentencing anyone convicted for an offense committed before age 18, courts must consider the defendant's exposure to adverse childhood experiences, trauma, trafficking victimization, and the diminished culpability of juveniles compared to adults