Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee

ESB 6254

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: Changing promoting prostitution provisions.

Sponsors: Senators Delvin, Hargrove, Kohl-Welles, Roach, Conway, Pflug, Ericksen, Carrell, Schoesler, Fain, Baumgartner, Fraser, Padden, Regala, Kline, Shin, Litzow, Eide, Chase, Stevens, Nelson and Keiser.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill

  • Amends the offense of Promoting Prostitution in the first degree to include compelling a person with a mental or developmental disability that renders the person incapable of consent to engage in prostitution.

Hearing Date: 2/15/12

Staff: Sarah Koster (786-7303).

Background:

A person is guilty of Promoting Prostitution in the first degree if he or she knowingly advances prostitution by compelling a person by threat or force to engage in prostitution or profits from prostitution which results from such threat or force.

Promoting Prostitution in the first degree is a class B felony.

Summary of Bill:

Compelling a person with a mental or developmental disability to engage in prostitution is added to the definition of Promoting Prostitution in the first degree, so that:

A person is guilty of Promoting Prostitution in the first degree if he or she knowingly advances prostitution:

  1. by compelling a person by threat or force to engage in prostitution or profits from prostitution which results from such threat or force; or

  2. by compelling a person with a mental or developmental disability that renders the person incapable of consent to engage in prostitution or profits from prostitution.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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