The new governor is open to decriminalizing prostitution in Mass. What would that mean for us hobbyists?

I would not bet on it getting through the legislature.

At first I thought the above response was "Touch and Go!" .... Hopeful thinking on my part, LOL

I don't know. Ayanna Presley is behind it and she's a VIP here in Mass. I doubt there are many politicians here in Mass ready to face a 'firing' squad

Long before she was Gov, and when she was Attorney General, I believe she was vocally opposed to legalization (and maybe even prosecuted prostitution cases). If I remember correctly, earlier in her career, before she had come out as being lesbian, she was slow to accept / endorse / advocate for gay rights, including marriage rights. She did take up the cause in the 2000s and successfully argued against the Defense of Marriage Act http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_Marriage_Act for MA in Federal court.

Charges were trafficking  against the agency owners.. many of us were aware of that.. that may be the motivation

a model where the escort is not treated as a criminal as long as they  submit to some kind of re-education regimen, but the client would still face charges.

Any moves on the federal front to make adjustments to the draconian FOSTA/SESTA?

There is a report that a court might strike some part of the Act, however it is sort of small potatoes, but any weakening of it would be a good thing.

If it became a non illegal activity as long it was behind closed doors like the old providence law.  It wouldn’t decrease street level activity but most definitely increase prices since it would also require frequent sti panels and new taxes on the income and since sex work was legal providers could charge more probably due to increased demand.