This bill aims to combat sex trafficking, yet it further criminalizes sex workers and sex trafficking survivors with the new crime of felony prostitution. There is no immunity for reporting sex trafficking for clients. When misdemeanors become serious felonies, it becomes impossible for clients to report violent crimes like sex trafficking. Kemp goes on to say that “prosecutions for sex trafficking have increased significantly from 2011 to 2020. House Bill 68 proposes lifetime bans on various professional licenses for those convicted of sex trafficking, including sex workers and sex trafficking survivors who are not accused of harming anyone.

Source: Washington Post May 09, 2024 04:58 UTC