HOUSE BILL REPORT

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.

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 History:

Committee Activity:

Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness: 2/15/12, 2/21/12 [DPA].

Floor Activity:

Passed House - Amended: 3/1/12, 96-0.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill

(As Amended by House)

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

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Hurst, Chair; Ladenburg, Vice Chair; Pearson, Ranking Minority Member; Klippert, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Armstrong, Goodman, Hope, Kirby, Moscoso and Ross.

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 Amended Bill:

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; or
by compelling a person with a mental incapacity or developmental disability that renders the person incapable of consent to engage in prostitution or profits from prostitution which results from that compulsion.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This is part of a package of 10 bills with bipartisan support. The 2012 legislative session is the tenth anniversary of Washington's first anti-trafficking legislation. Washington has led the way for the country on this issue. This bill is a simple fix to a problem that has been found to occur in which developmentally disabled persons have been taken advantage of.

(Opposed) None.