Thursday, March 13, 2008 By Cynthia Needham Journal State House Bureau
PROVIDENCE — With the nation’s eyes trained on former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s alleged involvement with a prostitute, Rhode Island lawmakers are considering a bill that would close the loophole in this state’s laws that makes prostitution legal if it occurs indoors.
The proposed legislation has become something of a perennial bill in recent years, but has never been passed by the General Assembly. This year’s version came before the House Judiciary Committee again last night, where its sponsor, Joanne M. Giannini, D-Providence, argued that extending the state’s misdemeanor prostitution statute to cover indoor activity would make it easier for the police to crack down on suspected brothels.
“A lot of people don’t realize that prostitution is legal in Rhode Island if you do it indoors,” State Police Inspector Stephen Bannon testified. In an accompanying letter, State Police Supt. Col. Brendan P. Doherty noted that under current law, “persons are free to solicit sex for money in newspapers and/or over the Internet as long as the conduct that is agreed upon takes place in private.”
But opponents, including the Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, say the bill would unfairly target the women who are forced into prostitution.
The Judiciary Committee took no action last night, though House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox, D-Providence, said in a statement that the House plans this session “to look very carefully at closing this loophole once and for all.”
Considering the time of year it is would it be a politically expedient thing to do and if so will one be able to have funding for the necessities that would come with this activity? Also how will the prostitutes interest be protected and how will the government address the quality of life issues as well? Although they will protect against coercion and human trafficking, what are they going to do to contain certain STD's? As Carol Leigh says where basically sitting ducks.
and it works just fine. Health cards work fine in other countries. The fees charged make them revenue producing and the ladies are required to be tested on a regular basis.
It's no different than regualted any other business. As far as the costs go, the government will net millions from the increased amount of taxes actually collected from providers that start reporting like other businesses and contractor do.
because it opens the door for government control of the industry. I'd much rather do my homework and take my chances with the existing system.... and allow the independent ladies to remain independent.
Legalization generally means getting the government involved in licensing, testing requirements and taxation. Decriminalization means not prosecuting certain types of sex for money exchanges.
I favor the R.I. approach which sounds like the Canadian approach. No brothels and no streetwalking solicitations.
I am not in favor of broadening criminal laws so that a smaller subset of crimes can be more easily caught.
I never could understand under what interpretation of the constitution the laws making it a crime for two consenting adults to engage in sex for money is constitutional. I understand limiting things to off the street (zoning laws make sense, I guess) and making it illegal to have people forced to engage in the activity. (I would want it illegal to force people to be barbers or accountants as well.) I can understand requiring periodic examinations, but making the activity illegal? Is it the sex or the money or just the pleasure of it all?
those who use kids, well, not exactly a good thing... Let's face it, prostitution is a staple of civilization, always has been, is and always will be. It Should be decriminalized for a ton of reasons... but, aspects of the sex trade are not healthy and should be banned... sex slavery is one - and AMPs for the most part, are exactly that - sex slave shops.
As to the street walkers... I would hope that while they too should be legal, there would be a ban on pimps... much like canada... where a lady can offer her wares... but a pimp cannot. Seems that we've plenty of great examples of Independants who offer a great service, and they get to keep a greater percentage of their take... and that is the way I like it.
Please don't tell me that you have bought into that bullshit that all AMP girls are sex slaves. It's simply not true, and it's been discussed here ad nauseum.
Many if not most countries that have legalized prostitution outlaw pimping.There is no legitimate reason we can't do the same here. Of course I realize it probably will never happen, but it should.
Unfortunately it looks like your attempt to purchase VIP membership has failed due to your card being declined. Good news is that we have several other payment options that you could try.
VIP MEMBER
, you are now a VIP member!
We thank you for your purchase!
VIP MEMBER
, Thank you for becoming VIP member!
Membership should be activated shortly. You'll receive notification!
