Currently a john only pays a $150 fine the first time he gets caught
in the act of buying sex. And a pimp only pays $300 the first time he’s
caught selling sex.
Reps.
Tina
Orwall, a Democrat from Des Moines and Kevin Parker, a Republican from Spokane, decided that’s just not enough, so they
put their political differences aside and worked on a couple of bills that
increase the fines.
UnderHouse
Bill 2692, instead of $150, johns will pay $1,500 for a first offense, $2,500
for a second offense, and $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense. And under House
Bill 1983, instead of $300, pimps will pay $3,000 for a first offense, $6,000 for a second offense,
and $10,000 for a third or subsequent offense.
The revenue from these fines will be put to good use to educate offenders about the negative costs of prostitution, and on prevention and
rehabilitative services to help victims get out of the sex trade industry.
Both bills passed the House unanimously and are on their way to the
Senate.
Read
the press release here.To read this story in Spanish, click here.
