The bill SB442 seeks to strengthen Arkansas's legal framework against 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 activities, 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, enhancing protections for vulnerable youth, and revises the collection process for impoundment fees related to prostitution offenses, directing these fees to the new support fund.

Moreover, the bill outlines the procedures for asset forfeiture, including the requirement for prosecuting attorneys to file complaints and notify relevant parties, and specifies the distribution of proceeds from the sale of seized property. It mandates that 80% of the proceeds go to law enforcement agencies' asset forfeiture funds, while 20% is allocated to the Arkansas Human Trafficking Council Support Fund. The legislation also establishes a Human Trafficking Operations Unit within the Division of Arkansas State Police to investigate human trafficking cases and support efforts related to high-risk missing children. Overall, the bill aims to enhance accountability, transparency, and support for victims of human trafficking in Arkansas.

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