Senate committee advances package of human‑trafficking bills, creates fund and new enforcement unit

The Arkansas Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a package of six bills aimed at strengthening penalties, victim protections and law‑enforcement capacity for human‑trafficking cases, sponsors told the committee on Wednesday.

Senator Joshua Bryant, sponsor of the package, told the committee the measures are rooted in a 2023 executive‑order effort to coordinate state responses and close gaps identified in a nationwide assessment of state laws and resources. "The mission is simple: to prevent trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute criminals," Bryant said.

The measures include Senate Bill 427, which reclassifies and stiffens penalties for "promoting prostitution," including new first‑, second‑ and third‑degree classifications and business liability provisions; SB 428, which creates a civil cause of action with a 10‑year limitations period counted from discovery; SB 429, which expands no‑contact orders and creates presumptions and pathways to seal prostitution convictions that resulted from trafficking; SB 430, which mandates restitution for victims and extends the time to file victim reparations claims; and SB 442, which broadens asset‑forfeiture authority for trafficking cases, creates an Arkansas Human Trafficking Council Support Fund, and establishes a human‑trafficking operations unit within the Arkansas State Police.

On SB 427, Bryant said the bill replaces prior promoting‑prostitution…