All Roll Calls
Yes: 160 • No: 0
ArkansasSB4312025 Regular SessionSenate
TO AMEND THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2013; TO ELIMINATE THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES; TO CREATE SAFE HARBORS FOR VICTIMS; AND TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN SEXUALLY EXPLICIT PRODUCTS THAT RESEMBLE A CHILD.
Sponsored By: Joshua Bryant (Republican), R. Scott Richardson (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New criminal defense for trafficking victims
Trafficking victims can raise an affirmative defense to specified criminal charges in Arkansas. They must show that they committed the charged conduct as a result of being trafficked. Covered charges include forgery, defrauding a prospective adoptive parent, prostitution offenses, and obscene performances at live public shows. Controlled substance offenses also qualify, except Class Y felonies. This is a defense to charges, not automatic protection from prosecution.
No deadline for trafficking crime prosecutions
Arkansas removes prosecution deadlines for human trafficking, patronizing a trafficking victim, and grooming a minor for future sex trafficking. The law also removes deadlines for traveling to commit an unlawful sex act with a minor. Sexual extortion has no prosecution deadline when the victim was a minor at the time of the offense.
Child sex dolls bring felony penalties
Arkansas bans knowingly possessing, bringing into the state, distributing, or making a child sex doll. This means an anatomically correct or precise doll, mannequin, or robot resembling a minor and intended for sexual acts. The definition covers whole bodies and body parts, including a pelvis. Possession is a Class D felony. Bringing one into Arkansas or distributing one is a Class C felony; manufacturing one is a Class B felony.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Joshua Bryant
Republican • Senate
R. Scott Richardson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Bart Hester
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/15/2025
Senate Vote - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 1:28:47 PM
Yes: 35 • No: 0
House vote • 4/14/2025
House Vote - Monday, April 14, 2025 6:43:07 PM
Yes: 92 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/2/2025
Senate Vote - Wednesday, April 2, 2025 2:34:50 PM
Yes: 33 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Notification that SB431 is now Act 987
4/23/2025SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
4/16/2025SenateReported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
4/16/2025SenateORDERED ENROLLED
4/15/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/15/2025SenateRules suspended.
4/15/2025SenateHouse Amendment No. 1 read first time, rule suspended, read second time and concurred in.
4/15/2025SenatePlaced on second reading for purpose of amendment.
4/15/2025SenateReturned from the House as passed as amended # 1 .
4/14/2025SenateReturned to the Senate as passed.
4/14/2025HouseRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
4/14/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
4/10/2025HouseRe-referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY COMMITTEE- HOUSE
4/9/2025HouseREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
4/9/2025HouseAmendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.
4/9/2025HousePlaced on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
4/9/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
4/8/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on JUDICIARY COMMITTEE- HOUSE
4/2/2025HouseRECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
4/2/2025HouseOrdered immediately transmitted to the House.
4/2/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/2/2025SenateREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
4/1/2025SenateAmendment # 1 & 2 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
4/1/2025SenatePlaced on second reading for purpose of amendment.
4/1/2025SenateReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 1 & 2
3/31/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB431 - Introduced
3/11/2025
Act Version
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