Arkansas 2023 Regular Session Status: In Committee

SB 385 — TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ISSUES RELATED TO CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING AND CHILD EXPLOITATION.

Last action — Sine Die adjournment

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2023 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

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The bill amends existing law to exclude certain professionals from the prohibitions on possessing materials depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child and establishes multidisciplinary teams to address child sex trafficking and exploitation.

  • Arkansas Code § 5-27-602

    (d) This section does not apply to matter depicting sexually explicit conduct with a child that is possessed by the following individuals in the course of conducting their professional duties for a bona fide medical, scientific, governmental, law enforcement, or judicial purpose: (1) A physician; (2) A psychologist; (3) A scientist; (4) An attorney; (5) An employee of the Department of Human Services; (6) An employee of a law enforcement agency; (7) A judge; (8) A judicial clerk; or (9) A member of a multidisciplinary team created under § 12-19-106.

    This addition provides exemptions for specific professionals from laws against possessing sexually explicit conduct involving a child when conducting their official duties.

  • Arkansas Code Title 12, Chapter 19

    12-19-106. Child sex trafficking and child exploitation — Multidisciplinary teams — Creation. (a) The Prosecutor Coordinator shall work with the following to develop recommendations on the creation of multidisciplinary teams to provide responses specific to child sex trafficking and child exploitation cases: (1) The Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police; (2) The Arkansas Sheriffs' Association; (3) The Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police; (4) The Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas; and (5) The National Child Protection Task Force, Inc. (b)(1) The Prosecutor Coordinator shall create the multidisciplinary teams recommended under subsection (a) of this section. (2) The multidisciplinary teams created under this section shall: (A) Enhance the services provided to victims of child sex trafficking and child exploitation; (B) Improve the coordination of investigations and the tracking of child sex trafficking and child exploitation cases; and (C) Identify gaps in: (i) Services provided to victims of child sex trafficking and child exploitation; and (ii) The prevention of child sex trafficking and child exploitation.

    This section establishes a framework for creating multidisciplinary teams aimed at improving responses to child sex trafficking and exploitation.

Action History

  1. Sine Die adjournment

  2. Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

  3. Read first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to JUDICIARY COMMITTEE - SENATE

  4. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 136 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (136)

136 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 385?
SB 385 is sponsored by Steve Unger and Clint Penzo.
What is the current status of SB 385?
This bill died with 2023 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 385?
Track SB 385 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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