SB282

Senate Bill 282 amends Arkansas law regarding civil causes of action for victims of human trafficking. The bill clarifies that victims may sue persons or entities that knew or should have known they were involved in trafficking and benefited financially from the act. It allows courts to award various types of damages, including attorney's fees, costs, and treble damages for willful and malicious acts. The bill establishes specific tolling provisions for the statute of limitations, including delays for minors, disabilities, or situations involving ongoing threats, intimidation, or fraud. Crucially, the legislation mandates that comparative fault rules do not apply to these civil actions, ensuring that the victim's own alleged fault cannot be used to reduce their recovery against traffickers. By doing so, the bill seeks to strengthen the legal recourse available to survivors of human trafficking.