house judiciary committee agrees to advance proposed amendments for current prostitution laws
For better or worse, the conversations of politicians matter. And, in that arena, we, unfortunately, need to remain informed and involved. At first glance, the conversations and proposals of judiciary committees can cause our eyes to gloss over and our minds to wander. But, we must stick with it and engage!
This morning I was fortunate to be present when the Arizona House Judiciary Committee discussed the proposed bill HB2720 introduced by Representative Selina Bliss. This proposal amends the language of the current A.R.S.13-3214 which specifically regards the classification of “prostitution.”
A.R.S.13-3214 currently outlines the illegality of engaging in prostitution. HB2720 proposes the addition of felony consequences for “buyers” because the issue (as already agreed upon in the law) concerns human trafficking and exploitation—simply stated, the argument in favor of HB2720 is that it’s wrong to attempt to buy a person! HB2720 emphasizes the human trafficking nature deeply intertwined with the plague of prostitution. And, furthermore, the purpose of the amendments are to reduce the financial incentives unfortunately associated with human trafficking and provide clearly stated consequences for attempting to purchase a person for the disgusting purpose of sexual gratification.
As currently written, A.R.S.13-3214 states in Section A that “it is unlawful for a person to knowingly engage in prostitution.” HB2720, however, proposes that Section A should be split into two separate classifications (one for those being prostituted and another for those purchasing prostitution) while simultaneously also adding language that restricts attempted engagements in prostitution.
HB2720 proposes that A.R.S.13-3214 should be amended to read as follows: “It is unlawful for a person to knowingly: (1) Engage in or agree or offer to engage in sexual conduct under a fee arrangement with any person for money or other valuable consideration. (2) Pay for or agree or offer to pay for sexual conduct under a fee arrangement with any person for money or any other valuable consideration.”
Section A.1 maintains prostitution’s illegality with consequences outlined in the retained Section E—first offenses starting as a class 1 misdemeanor with subsequent convictions escalating to a class 5 felony. The newly added Section A.2 allows for violation consequences for “buyers” as outlined in the new Section F—first offenses starting as a class 6 felony with subsequent convictions escalating to a class 4 felony. At the first offense, “buyers” receive harsher penalties than those being prostituted. Meanwhile, the already present clause in Section D is maintained allowing for an affirmative defense that those who committed acts of prostitution did so as a result of being a victim of sex trafficking.
While this may appear to be an obscure conversation from the mission and agenda of MissingNoMore, we must take a step back and view the larger consequences. Just as with the boring details of unenforceable loitering laws, the details of the law matter—and, they matter because they have real world implications. In regard to A.R.S.13-3214, the current lack of deterrents for willingly funding trafficking and exploitation only encourages the expansion of this black market industry.
And, we must remember that this is an industry that includes children.
When we read that the reported national statistic is that at minimum 1 in 6 missing children are trafficked and exploited, we should keep ourselves aware of the practical means in which these horrors are accomplished. While many imagine elaborate stories well suited for Hollywood, the reality exists in the shadows of our community that we seek to avoid: local motels, nearby street corners, and in the private spaces of unsavory massage parlors. MissingNoMore exists, firstly, to find these missing kids with the hope of ending or preventing exploitation; but, such a mission also requires us to be a voice of advocacy combating the conditions in which the atrocities of child exploitation thrive.
HB2720 amends A.R.S.13-3214 by proposing the addition of felony consequences for prostitution “buyers,” and we are proud to announce that it has just successfully moved forward with bipartisan support! There were eight votes in favor with one Democrat representative voting “present.”
As of today, nothing has passed…yet. But, this commonsense proposal has moved forward; and, it’s a small victory that we should be grateful for today.