For all the newbies out there, this question NEVER keeps you safe. I will rarely see anyone who uses this statement. To me, it implies that something illegal is going to take place where LE would need to be present.

Research who you are seeing, it takes all of 5 minutes. I would strongly advise not to TOFTT until you are a seasoned hobbyist.

I notice newbie hobbyist tend to ask me this. I tell them "no". After the session is done I usually tell them not to ask that because if I WAS a cop I could lie. There's no rile against that. I usually then give them some "tips" to be safe and make sure they are not seeing a cop.

Newbies, here's the deal, cops arrest you. The local DA prosecutes you. The vice squad will say or do almost anything to arrest you. That's there job, the DA takes the case from there.
Asking that question DOES NOT protect you from anything. (IANAL)  I am not a lawyer.