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Committee advances 'John School' option to sentencing, with fee to fund victim services
Summary
House Bill 12-69 would let judges require a court‑approved prostitution‑offender education program as part of sentencing for unlawful propositioning. The program is discretionary, carries a participant fee (up to $500) and directs funds to victim services, the arresting agency and county administration. The committee received broad support from prosecutors, victim advocates and public defenders.
Representative Maureen Bauer told the committee House Bill 12‑69 would authorize judges to order completion of a court‑approved prostitution offender education program at sentencing (often called 'John School') as a discretionary sentencing option. The bill does not create a new crime or increase penalties; it enables a structured educational sentencing alternative with a participation fee to support victim services and local costs. Bauer described the proposal as survivor‑informed and said 13 counties already operate similar programs.
Courtney Curtis of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorney's Council said prosecutors support programming that reduces recidivism. Victim‑services groups and Raindrops Rising emphasized the bill’s role in shifting accountability toward buyers and to fund the Human Trafficking Prevention and Victim Assistance Fund. The committee discussed fee administration and whether online programming should be explicitly accommodated; testifiers suggested language allowing up to a $500 fee and recognizing online options so counties without in‑person programs can participate.
The committee moved the bill and recorded a favorable tally; sponsors said they would consider technical edits to ensure counties with online programming are not double‑charged.
