Judiciary panel approves AG-backed package to strengthen human trafficking penalties and victim supports

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation sponsored by Representative Charlene Fite and attorneys from the Attorney General’s office to strengthen Arkansas’s response to human trafficking.

HB1459 adjusts culpable mental states in trafficking-related offenses from 'knowing' to 'know or should have known,' increases an additional special fine (raising small misdemeanor-related penalty from about $250 to a sliding scale up to $15,000 for the most serious felonies), and directs that fine revenues be split between the state’s Safe Harbor Fund for exploited minors and the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Victim Support Fund. Brooke Gassaway of the Attorney General’s office said the change will prevent bad actors from claiming ignorance when minors or vulnerable adults are exploited.

The bill also authorizes the Human Trafficking Victim Support Fund to provide grants to nonprofits and, for the first time, to local law enforcement for training on human trafficking identification and response. Representative Fite said HB1470 makes a narrow change to allow children who are victims of sexual offenses and people of any age who are victims of human trafficking to qualify for reparations even if they could not fully cooperate with law enforcement because of coercion or fear.

Committee members asked about trends in trafficking and the use of funds; AG office witnesses said state reporting shows trafficking incidents have increased and the funding adjustments will expand services and training. Both measures passed on a voice vote and now proceed to the full Senate.