Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that repeals prohibitions on sex work.

Highlights:

• Exempts individuals from arrest, citation, and prosecution who in good faith and a timely manner report to law enforcement that they are a victim or or a witness to or a crime that arose from their involvement in protitution or human trafficking (Sec. 2).

• Establishes a Sex Work Study Commitee to make reccommendations to the General Assembly regarding modernization of Vermont’s prostitution laws (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the aforementioned committee shall be composed of the following members, including but not limited to (Sec. 3):

• A current member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House;

• A current member of the Senate appointed by the Committee on Committees;

• The Attorney General designee; and

• The Executive Director of the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs or their designee.

• Requires the aforementioned committee to develop a modern approach to state involvement in sexual activity for hire by consenting adults while maintaining criminal penalties for trafficking, coercion, and exploitation of minors and strong protections for victims of those crimes (Sec. 3).

• Establishes that this act shall take effect July 1, 2020 (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text