HB433 Summary

• Establishes safe harbor protections for sexually exploited children under 18, prohibiting them from being adjudicated delinquent or convicted of prostitution crimes, instead allowing adjudication as children in need of supervision or dependent children.

• Prohibits transfer of sexually exploited children's cases from juvenile court to adult court and requires juvenile courts to retain jurisdiction to issue protective orders and ensure access to social and community services including counseling, shelter, and medical treatment.

• Imposes a mandatory $500 fine upon conviction for promoting prostitution or certain prostitution offenses, with fines increasing 50% for each subsequent conviction through the fourth conviction, to be paid to court-certified therapeutic counseling entities.

• Allows up to 72 hours detention for persons arrested for prostitution to ensure access to resources such as health care and shelter, and prohibits publication of arrest photographs without a district court judge's order.

• Requires domestic and interstate escort businesses offering companionship to register with the Secretary of State within 30 days, with violations classified as Class D misdemeanor for first offense and Class D felony for subsequent violations.