Nonprofit Leader Brent Toomey urges action against child trafficking in Arkansas

The Judiciary Committee of the Arkansas Senate convened on March 31, 2025, to discuss several legislative bills, with a significant focus on child trafficking and related reforms. The meeting began with an amendment to Senate Bill 442, which aims to enhance the state's response to human trafficking concerns. Brent Toomey, representing the nonprofit organization Saving Children and Reviving Souls, provided compelling testimony regarding the urgent need for increased resources and support to combat child trafficking in Northwest Arkansas. He highlighted alarming statistics, noting that local law enforcement has identified hundreds of victims and expressed the need for more detectives and prosecutors to address the crisis effectively.

Toomey emphasized that Arkansas is currently underfunded in its efforts to protect children, stating that the existing budget for the Human Trafficking Council is insufficient given the scale of the problem. He urged the committee to take decisive action to position Arkansas as a leader in child protection initiatives, stressing that the state is lagging behind in the fight against trafficking.

Following Toomey's testimony, the committee chair acknowledged the importance of the bill and indicated that it had garnered unanimous support within the committee. The discussion then shifted to a technical amendment proposed by Senator Tucker, which corrected a reference in the bill to ensure it aligned with the appropriate legal code. The committee unanimously approved this amendment.

Senator Bryant then presented Senate Bill 355, which seeks to establish penalties for individuals who fail to comply with subpoenas, classifying such noncompliance as a Class C misdemeanor. The bill aims to clarify existing laws and provide prosecutors with a more specific tool to address disruptions in government operations. After a brief discussion, the committee moved to pass the bill without opposition.

The meeting concluded with the committee addressing additional bills on the agenda, including a motion to defer Senate Bill 356, which was also approved. Overall, the session underscored the committee's commitment to addressing pressing legal and social issues, particularly in the realm of child protection and law enforcement efficiency. The next steps will involve further discussions and potential votes on the remaining bills as the legislative session progresses.