Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee

HB 1123

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Modifying provisions relating to the sentencing or imposition of conditions for certain prostitution and sex crimes.

Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins and Hurst.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Imposes as conditions for a conviction for Prostitution, Patronizing a Prostitute, or Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor that the person must: (1) not be subsequently arrested for those crimes; and (2) remain outside an area designated by a local government as an area of increased prostitution activity.

  • Requires local governments to post signs at the boundaries of designated areas of increased prostitution activity.

  • Penalizes violation of the conditions as a misdemeanor.

Hearing Date: 1/26/11

Staff: Alexa Silver (786-7190).

Background:

Under state law, when a court sentences or imposes conditions on a person convicted of or receiving a deferred sentence or prosecution for Patronizing a Prostitute or Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor, the court must impose requirements that the person:

A person is guilty of Prostitution, a misdemeanor, if he or she engages or agrees to engage in sexual conduct with another person in return for a fee. A person is guilty of Patronizing a Prostitute, a misdemeanor, if he or she pays or agrees to pay a fee to engage in sexual conduct or requests that another person engage in sexual conduct for a fee. A person is guilty of Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor if he or she pays or agrees to pay a fee to engage in sexual conduct with a minor or requests that a minor engage in sexual conduct for a fee. Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor is a class B felony with a seriousness level of VIII.

In some cities, the municipal court may issue a "Stay Out of Areas of Prostitution" (SOAP) order as a probationary condition for a person convicted of an offense related to prostitution.

Summary of Bill:

When a court sentences or imposes conditions on a person convicted of or receiving a deferred sentence or prosecution for Prostitution, Patronizing a Prostitute, or Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor, the court must impose requirements that the person:

Local governments must post signs at the boundaries of designated areas of increased prostitution activity. Violation of the conditions imposed by the court is a misdemeanor.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.