This bill aims to amend existing laws regarding the offense of promoting prostitution in Arkansas by repealing previous sections and introducing new provisions that enhance penalties and address business involvement in such activities. Specifically, it repeals Arkansas Code sections 5-70-104, 5-70-105, and 5-70-106, which outlined various degrees of promoting prostitution and their corresponding penalties. The new legal language establishes a comprehensive framework for defining the offense of promoting prostitution, categorizing it into first, second, and third degrees, with varying penalties based on the severity and circumstances of the offense.

Under the new provisions, promoting prostitution in the first degree can result in a Class C felony for a first offense, escalating to a Class B felony for subsequent offenses, while promoting prostitution in the second degree is classified as a Class D felony for a first offense and a Class C felony for subsequent offenses. Additionally, businesses found to be involved in promoting prostitution face significant penalties, including license suspensions and fines that increase with repeated violations. The bill also stipulates that fines collected from violations will be directed to the Human Trafficking Victim Support Fund, reinforcing the state's commitment to combatting human trafficking and supporting victims.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB427 Original - 3-11-2025 03:35 PM: 5-70-104, 5-70-105, 5-70-106
Old version SB427 V2 - 4-1-2025 10:20 AM: 5-70-104, 5-70-106, 04-01-2025, 5-70-105
SB 427: 5-70-104, 5-70-105, 5-70-106