Lawmakers, local officials seek tougher penalties and licensing changes to curb trafficking-linked massage parlors

State Rep. Charles Foote, a Derry resident and town councilor, told the Criminal Justice and Public Safety subcommittee that illicit massage parlors are a “real concern in Derry and statewide,” and urged lawmakers to raise criminal penalties so prosecutors and police can act more effectively.

Advocates, local officials and law enforcement who testified on House Bill 405 told the committee the current mix of misdemeanor-level offenses, licensing gaps and enforcement barriers allow operators to shift locations and keep illicit activity moving. Dave Karan, Derry town administrator, told the panel a three-part approach is needed: a statewide licensing database to prevent reciprocity, limits on where an individual license may be used, and landlord responsibility for who occupies their premises. “Once you have some skin in the game as far as losing potentially losing some real estate, you’re gonna be much more careful about what goes on,” Karan said.

Pamela (last name not specified), speaking for a local coalition, urged the committee to focus immediately on the prostitution statute’s paragraph now treated as a misdemeanor and consider raising that portion to a felony. “Page 2 . . . really speaks to that taking action component, as something that we could do this year,” she said, referring to a handout the coalition provided.

Law-enforcement witnesses and Homeland Security partners told lawmakers that investigative hurdles and staffing shortages make current tools ineffective. Panel members and witnesses discussed three enforcement levers: criminal penalties for proprietors who “own or control” illicit establishments; licensure and registration of establishments as well as individual therapists; and regulatory inspections by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). Testimony noted legal limits on using regulatory inspections to gather criminal evidence—inspectors acting in a law-enforcement role may need warrants.

Representative Sherr and others recommended pairing criminal and regulatory changes so the state can pursue criminal prosecutions while giving towns and regulators tools to identify and shut down illicit outlets quickly. Committee Chair said he would draft a “white sheet” (initial working draft) and reconvene in a few weeks to circulate language and prepare legislation for the full committee.

What’s next: Committee staff will draft language and bring stakeholders—including Homeland Security, municipal officials, the OPLC and prosecutors—back to the subcommittee to shape a bill. The panel did not take a vote during the hearing.