SB 982 Summary

• Creates a new crime for soliciting, agreeing to engage in, or engaging in prostitution with a person under 18 years of age whom the person knows or reasonably should know is under 18.

• First conviction is punishable as either a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in county jail) or felony (16 months, 2, or 3 years in county jail); second or subsequent conviction is punishable as a felony (16 months, 2, or 3 years).

• Imposes an additional fine of up to $25,000 for violations, with collected funds directed to programs and services for commercially sexually exploited minors in the counties where offenses occurred.

• Applies only to the person who exchanged or offered to exchange anything of value in return for a lewd act, and does not prohibit prosecution under other applicable laws.

• Specifies no state reimbursement is required for implementation as it changes penalty provisions for existing crimes.