HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 2008

Title:  An act relating to persons who patronize prostitutes.

Brief Description:  Authorizing law enforcement officers to impound the vehicles of persons who are patronizing prostitutes.

Sponsors:  Representatives Sheahan, Sterk, Crouse and Costa.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Edie Adams (786-7180).

Background:  It is a misdemeanor offense for a person to patronize a prostitute and a class C felony for a person to patronize a juvenile prostitute. 

A person is guilty of patronizing a prostitute if he or she:  (1) pays a fee, under a prior understanding, as compensation for another person having engaged in sexual conduct with him or her; (2) pays a fee to another person with the understanding that the person will engage in sexual conduct; or (3) solicits another person to engage in sexual conduct in exchange for a fee.

A person is guilty of patronizing a juvenile prostitute if that person engages in or offers or agrees to engage in, sexual conduct with a minor in return for a fee.

When a law enforcement officer arrests the driver of a vehicle, the officer may take custody of the vehicle and provide for its removal to a place of safety.  A person whose vehicle has been impounded may redeem the vehicle by paying the costs of towing and storage.  In addition, the person may request a hearing in district court to determine the validity of the impoundment.

Summary of Bill:  A law enforcement officer who arrests and takes into custody a person suspected of patronizing a prostitute or patronizing a juvenile prostitute may impound the vehicle used by the person arrested in the commission of the crime if the person arrested is the owner of the vehicle.

Impoundments must be performed in accordance with current law regarding towing and impoundment.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

                 Office of Program Research