S.B. No. 247 Summary

• Prohibits prostitution and receiving proceeds: Criminalizes engaging in sexual activity for hire (misdemeanor for first offense; felony for repeat offenders) and knowingly receiving money/value from a prostitute (felony charges).

• Creates Sexual Exploitation Public Database: Establishes a database maintained by the Attorney General containing conviction records of persons convicted of prostitution offenses, including name, address, photograph, offense details, and location.

• Database removal provisions: Allows automatic removal after 5 years since most recent prostitution conviction, or through application if conviction is overturned/expunged/sealed.

• Modifies solicitation offenses: Updates penalties for soliciting sexual activity for hire based on victim age and circumstances, ranging from misdemeanor third degree to felony third degree charges.

• Appropriates funding: Allocates $170,000 for fiscal year 2020 and $20,000 for fiscal year 2021 to establish and maintain the Sexual Exploitation Public Database.