RI house to discuss bill to allay penalties in prostitution cases

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The State House judiciary committee will discuss a bill that would ease penalties in prostitution cases.

The bill, sponsored by Providence democratic representative Edith H. Ajello, would under “certain circumstances” provide immunity for prostitution, procurement, loitering for prostitution and soliciting from a motor vehicle.

However, sex worker advocates in the Rhode Island have come out against the bill.

Coyote RI, or “Call of your old tired ethics” said the bill undermines public safety concerns faced by sex workers and trafficking victims.

Advocates said the bill could also prevent the reporting of violent crimes.

They went on to highlight that the bill did not mention massage parlors, saying in part:

It is a betrayal of the women who were once legal business owners, taxpayers and contributors to our society. Women who are now being targeted by ICE and Homeland Security, women who represent 81-percent of those arrested in these raids.

The judiciary committee will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday.