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Committee backs felony-level penalty for solicitation and paying for sex
Summary
House Bill 88, which would make solicitation / paying for sex a felony rather than a misdemeanor (charging a felony on first offense), was sent to the floor by the committee after debate among sponsors, law enforcement testimony, and opposition from criminal-defense advocates who said heavier penalties can make sex workers less safe.
House Bill 88, which would remove the misdemeanor option and make solicitation for commercial sexual activity a felony on first offense, was forwarded to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation after a closely contested committee debate.
Sponsor Representative Britt Raybould said the change is aimed at reducing demand and repeat offending. "This should be a crime, period, full stop," Raybould said, adding that studies of buyer behavior show a small number of high-frequency buyers account for the majority of transactions and that raising penalties for buyers targets that demand.
Opponents told the committee…
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