The bill SB442 seeks to amend Arkansas laws concerning human trafficking by establishing the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council Support Fund, which will replace the previous Safe Harbor Fund for Sexually Exploited Children and the Human Trafficking Victim Support Fund. This new fund will receive 100% of the fine payments from convictions related to promoting prostitution and sexual solicitation of minors. The bill also introduces a new offense of "harboring an endangered runaway minor," classifying it as a Class A misdemeanor for first offenses and a Class D felony for subsequent offenses, with all fines directed to the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council Support Fund. Additionally, it mandates that individuals convicted of sexual solicitation of a minor attend an education or treatment program approved by the Human Trafficking Operations Unit.

Moreover, the bill establishes 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 creates the position of Human Trafficking Coordinator to manage the unit and coordinate state efforts against human trafficking. The legislation also outlines procedures for asset forfeiture related to human trafficking, including the distribution of proceeds from seized property, with 80% allocated to law enforcement agencies and 20% to the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council Support Fund. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the state's response to human trafficking by improving funding mechanisms, increasing accountability, and providing better support for victims.

Statutes affected:
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
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
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