The bill, SB442, seeks to enhance Arkansas's legal framework regarding human trafficking by introducing several significant amendments. It establishes the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council Support Fund, which will receive proceeds from asset forfeitures related to human trafficking offenses, including conveyances and money. The bill modifies existing asset forfeiture laws by removing specific references to "trafficking of persons" and broadening the categories of crimes involved. Additionally, it introduces the offense of harboring an endangered runaway child, revises the collection and distribution of impoundment fees from prostitution offenses, and mandates law enforcement agencies to maintain accurate records of seized property, with penalties for non-compliance.

Moreover, the bill creates a Human Trafficking Operations Unit within the Division of Arkansas State Police, which will oversee investigations into human trafficking cases, including those involving missing children. It also establishes the position of Human Trafficking Coordinator to manage this unit. The bill consolidates funding by transferring balances from the existing Human Trafficking Victim Support Fund and the Safe Harbor Fund for Sexually Exploited Children into the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council Support Fund, which will be used for victim services, training, and outreach efforts. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen the state's response to human trafficking and improve support for victims through better resource allocation and accountability measures.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB442 Original - 3-12-2025 01:22 PM: 5-5-201(a), 5-5-202(b), 5-5-501(d), 5-18-103(d), 5-18-104(c), 5-18-106(c), 5-18-107(f), 5-70-102(e), 5-70-103, 5-18-103, 5-70-104(c), 5-70-105(c), 5-70-106(c), 5-70-107(e), 5-70-107, 12-19-101, 19-5-1261, 5-70-103(d), 5-70-102
Old version SB442 V2 - 4-1-2025 12:44 PM: 5-5-201(a), 5-5-202(b), 5-5-501(d), 5-18-103(d), 5-18-104(c), 5-18-106(c), 5-18-107(f), 5-70-102(e), 5-70-103, 5-18-103, 04-01-2025, 5-70-104(c), 5-70-105(c), 5-70-106(c), 5-70-107(e), 5-70-107, 12-19-101, 19-5-1252(b), 19-5-1261, 5-70-103(d), 5-70-102
SB 442: 5-5-201(a), 5-5-202(b), 5-5-501(d), 5-18-103(d), 5-18-104(c), 5-18-106(c), 5-18-107(f), 5-70-102(e), 5-70-103, 5-18-103, 5-70-104(c), 5-70-105(c), 5-70-106(c), 5-70-107(e), 5-70-107, 12-19-101, 19-5-1261, 5-70-103(d), 5-70-102
Act 667: 5-5-201(a), 5-5-202(b), 5-5-501(d), 5-18-103(d), 5-18-104(c), 5-18-106(c), 5-18-107(f), 5-70-102(e), 5-70-103, 5-18-103, 04-01-2025, 5-70-104(c), 5-70-105(c), 5-70-106(c), 5-70-107(e), 5-70-107, 12-19-101, 19-5-1252(b), 19-5-1261, 5-70-103(d), 5-70-102