PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Gov. Don Carcieri has signed legislation closing a loophole that made indoor prostitution legal and allowed more than 30 suspected brothels to operate around Rhode Island.

The bills signed Tuesday end Rhode Island's status as the only
state that allowed indoor prostitution statewide. It is legal in
parts of Nevada. The new law takes effect immediately.

Carcieri praised the new law as a step forward and said it ended
the state's "terrible" distinction.

Rhode Island lawmakers inadvertently created the loophole in
1980 when they passed a law cracking down on prostitutes and their customers who operated in public. But it was silent on paid sex in private.

As a result, police had been unable to prosecute prostitutes who
operated indoors even when they admitted offering sex for cash.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)