Arkansas to soon have human trafficking law

Arkansas legislators have taken the first step in fighting the growing, but often hidden, problem of human trafficking in the state.

HB1203, introduced by Rep. David Meeks, R-Conway, and SB 242, introduced by Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain Home, strengthens state laws to combat the growing problem. The bills passed both the house and senate and will be signed by Gov. Mike Beebe this week, according to Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample.

"It will be a tool to convict the people that are doing it," Meeks said. "(It will impose) tougher penalties for those who were trafficking the victims."

Meeks said the bill also empowers victims of human trafficking to file suit against their traffickers.

"We also gave civil course of action that empower victims to sue for restitution against traffickers for what they've done," he said.

TASK FORCE PROVISION
The bill also allows the office of the Attorney General to set up a task force with local police and prosecutors to come up with a plan to combat trafficking in Arkansas, Meeks explained.

State Rep. Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, said while HB1203 was important for combating human trafficking in the state, it would not be the only piece of legislation that deals with the issue.

A safe harbor act, which would protect women under the age of 18 from prosecution for prostitution and other trafficking-related offenses, is under consideration in the senate while a bill to vacate convictions of women caught up in human trafficking is under consideration in the house.

Vacating convictions of women victimized by human trafficking is a vital component of any meaningful human trafficking legislation, Leding said.

"That would allow for somebody, a woman who is perhaps convicted of prostitution in connection to her victimization, would allow her to vacate that conviction because she is not doing that on her own by any means," he said. "My piece would also mandate the posting of the Polaris Project hotline."

POLARIS PROJECT CONNECTION
The Polaris Project is leading the push for reforming laws across the nation in regards to human trafficking. The organization hosts a hotline, available 24 hours a day, that allows individuals to report suspected human trafficking, Leding said.

"It seems like a minor thing, but it's one of the biggest challenges we have right now," he said.

Should Leding's legislation pass, the number, (888) 373-7888, would be posted at motels and hotels, strip clubs, airports, train stations, rest areas, information centers and other establishments "that have been cited as a public nuisance."

Passage of the original house bill, along with the continued fight by Leding and others for additional reforms, brings the issue of human trafficking full-circle from last summer when Leding and Meeks hosted the state's first ever Legislative Summit on Human Trafficking.

BROAD SUPPORT
Leding said he is pleased with the positive response human trafficking legislation has received in the legislature, especially since Arkansas was one of only four states to not have a legal framework in place to fight human trafficking in a meaningful way.

"There's been no one who's been dismissive or said they oppose this bill," he said. "it's been great. It's nice to be able to point out to people that there are certainly partisan fights from time to time but here's a perfect example of both sides working together."

Leding also took an opportunity to praise Meeks.

"Rep. Meeks, to his credit, really led the charge on this," Leding said. "This was a fairly significant deal."

Meeks was happy with the outcome as well, specifically praising the passage of the house bill 91-0 and the senate bill 34-0 in their respective chambers.

"It's a wonderful accomplishment. It's wonderful knowing that this law is actually going to help people who have been trafficked and get them the help that they need and this is what the legislature is all about," Meeks said. "When we're talking about making lives better, it's just a wonderful thing."