LITTLE ROCK (AP) - Gov. Mike Beebe has signed legislation that toughens the state's anti-human trafficking law.
The new law offers protections for victims, including a right to sue their abductors. The law also creates new penalties for anyone who knowingly patronizes a prostitute who is a human trafficking victim.
Also under the law, the attorney general will now be allowed to create a task force to suggest other ways to address human trafficking.
A national group last year called Arkansas 1 of the "faltering four" states in terms of legislation to protect victims of human trafficking.
Law enforcement officials said that although the state has had a human trafficking law on the books since 2005, but no one has ever been arrested under the statute.
COMPLETE COVERAGE
Gov. Beebe signs anti-human trafficking bill
Ark. House approves anti-human trafficking bill
Lawmakers tout bills to curb human trafficking
