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Committee advances bill raising solicitation to felony to target high-frequency buyers; advocates and law enforcement split
Summary
House Bill 88, which would eliminate a misdemeanor option and make paying for sex a felony on the first offense, was advanced to the floor after sponsors argued the change targets repeat buyers; criminal-defense groups warned it could drive the sex trade underground and increase danger for sex workers.
The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee voted to send House Bill 88 to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation after testimony that split legal and public-safety advocates.
Representative Britt Raybould, sponsor of the bill, said the measure removes a misdemeanor option and makes solicitation and paying for sex a felony on first offense to deter repeat, high-frequency buyers. "This should be a crime, period, full stop," Raybould said, arguing that high-frequency buyers drive demand and create market incentives for traffickers.
Raybould cited comparative data from Texas,…
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