Committee unanimously advances bill to make pimping and pandering felonies after survivor‑and‑law‑enforcement testimony

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to advance SB 547, a bill that would make pimping and pandering felonies regardless of whether it is a first offense.

Sponsor remarks framed the change as bringing Georgia into alignment with neighboring states and said making buyers and facilitators subject to felony penalties will help law enforcement shrink demand. “What we’re doing is making pimping and pandering felonies no matter whether it’s a first offense or not,” the sponsor said during the presentation.

Camille Azoltlagari, vice president of government affairs for Street Grace and a former human‑trafficking prosecutor, testified that raising penalties for buyers and facilitators increases law‑enforcement incentives to prosecute demand‑side actors. “Felony level sanctions create a more salient and effective deterrent for potential buyers,” she said, and cited research and enforcement experiences showing higher buyer arrests and reduced demand where penalties were increased.

Gwinnett County Sergeant John Paugherty described the practical changes brought by the internet and social platforms and the operational hurdles police face when misdemeanor penalties fail to deter buyers or justify resource‑intensive demand‑reduction operations. He recounted recovering juvenile victims and the trauma bonding that inhibits cooperation with investigations.

The committee’s do‑pass motion (moved by Senator Watson and seconded by Senator Gooch) carried with no recorded opposition. Committee members thanked the witnesses and noted continued interest in complementary victim‑support and enforcement resources.

What’s next: The bill now moves toward the Senate floor for further consideration.