A loophole in state law permits prostitution as long as it …
A new bill to end legalized prostitution in Rhode Island and …
An effort in Rhode Island to close a legal loophole permitting …
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Lawmakers vote on prostitution ban
Judiciary Committee passes the bill
Updated: Wednesday, 28 Oct 2009, 9:39 AM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 28 Oct 2009, 9:38 AM EDT
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP/WPRI) - Lawmakers have struck a deal to ban indoor prostitution in Rhode Island, the only state where it is legal besides parts of Nevada.
Lawmakers have been working for months on legislation to ban indoor prostitution.
Members of the House Judiciary Committee
voted 11-3 on Tuesday to send the bill forward
for a floor vote expected later this week.
It must still be approved by the Senate before going to Governor Don Carcieri.
The bill would make prostitution a misdemeanor crime
regardless of where it occurs. Prostitutes could be punished by up
to six months in prison for a first offense, while their customers
would face up to a year.
As the law stands now, police can arrest prostitutes and
customers operating in public. Those operating inside cannot be
prosecuted because of a 1980 legal loophole.
House and Senate lawmakers reached a compromise recently on
closing the loophole after clashing earlier.
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