House committee approves amendment to require trafficking-hotline postings at licensed nail and massage businesses near interstates

The Arkansas House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday adopted an amendment to House Bill 1474 that adds licensed nail salons and licensed massage businesses to locations required to post human-trafficking hotline information and establishes a 1,320-foot placement standard from interstates, sponsor Rep. Joey Carr said.

Rep. Joey Carr, R-34, said the bill “cleans up some language” in an existing human-trafficking statute and that the amendment removes an outdated reference to the term “parlor,” adds licensed nail salons and licensed massage businesses, and sets the proximity measure at 1,320 feet from an interstate — language required by the Bureau of Legislative Research’s drafting conventions. “It’s an existing bill dealing with human trafficking. It's the hotline information, and, this bill, cleans up some language,” Carr said.

Committee members asked for clarification on why the panel removed a prior requirement to post hotline information at private clubs. Rep. Claney asked for the rationale for deleting that subsection. Carr said the attorney general’s office and the Arkansas State Police told staff that private clubs already have “enough restrictions and monitoring” and that law enforcement’s emerging data shows hotspots elsewhere. “The AG's office and State Police ... saw that there was enough restrictions and monitoring there that it was no longer necessary,” Carr said. He added he will remain “in collaboration with them” and that the requirement could be revisited if the State Police data warrants it.

The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and then voted to report the bill do pass as amended. The record does not include a roll-call tally; the committee chair announced, “The ayes have it.” No members of the public signed up to speak for or against the bill during the hearing.

Supporters framed the measure as a way to expand public reporting options at locations Arkansas State Police identified as emerging trafficking hotspots. The bill directs that printed hotline information be placed where the public and employees at licensed businesses could see it; the transcript does not specify the exact poster text, enforcement mechanism, or penalties for noncompliance.

The committee advanced the bill to the next stage with the amendment in place. Sponsor Carr asked for a favorable vote and said he will continue to work with law enforcement on data and any future adjustments.