LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas House has approved a bill intended to toughen the state's law against human trafficking.
The House voted 91-0 Friday for the bill that would offer new protections for victims of human trafficking, such as allowing them to sue their abductor for damages. The legislation would also broaden the definition of human trafficking and create new penalties for knowingly patronizing a prostitute who is a human trafficking victim.
The bill sponsored by Republican Rep. David Meeks of Conway also creates a task force to make recommendations on how to further address human trafficking in the state.
Republican Sen. Missy Irvin of Mountain View is sponsoring an identical version of the bill that passed in the Senate Thursday by a 34-0 vote.
