Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB2171

Introduced
3/28/24  

Caption

In public indecency, further providing for prostitution and related offenses.

Impact

If implemented, HB 2171 would significantly affect current state laws on public indecency and prostitution, updating the statutory language and enforcement procedures. These changes could empower law enforcement to act more decisively in cases of public indecency and may lead to increased prosecutions of related offenses. This reflects a shift towards stricter enforcement of public morality laws, which some legislators believe is necessary to maintain order and public decency within communities.

Summary

House Bill 2171 focuses on amendments related to public indecency laws and provides stipulations regarding prostitution and related offenses. The bill aims to clarify and enhance the legal framework concerning these particular offenses, possibly introducing stricter penalties or redefining certain terms that relate to public indecency. As such, it is intended to address concerns regarding the prevalence of such offenses in various communities and provide law enforcement with clearer guidelines on how to approach these situations.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 2171 appears to be a mix of support and criticism. Proponents argue that the measure is essential for public safety and complaint-driven policing, promoting a moral standard within communities. On the other hand, critics raise concerns that such laws may disproportionately target vulnerable populations and fail to resolve the underlying social issues related to prostitution and public decency, such as poverty and lack of access to resources.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 2171 include debates about the potential consequences for individuals charged under the new provisions. Concerns have been raised about the ramifications for marginalized groups and whether the bill might lead to increased criminalization without addressing systemic issues. Opponents suggest that focusing on punitive measures could exacerbate the challenges faced by individuals involved in prostitution and public decency offenses rather than offering constructive solutions.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB1122

In public indecency, further providing for prostitution and related offenses.

PA SB647

In public indecency, further providing for prostitution and related offenses.

PA HB632

In public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses.

PA HB0022

Prostitution Offense Amendments

PA HB1187

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition prohibited; in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of murder; in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking and for the offense of unauthorized administration of intoxicant; in sexual offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of rape, repealing provisions relating to the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and further providing for the offense of sexual assault, for the offense of institutional sexual assault, for the offense of sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association, for the offense of aggravated indecent assault and for general rule relating to loss of property rights; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and for order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; in public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; in minors, further providing for transmission of sexually explicit images by minor; in criminal history record information, further providing for expungement and for juvenile records; in child custody, further providing for consideration of criminal conviction; in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions; in child protective services, further providing for definitions, for exclusions from child abuse and for employees having contact with children and adoptive and foster parents; in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for penalties; in limitation of time, further providing for infancy, insanity or imprisonment, for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; in depositions and witnesses, further providing for spouses as witnesses against each other and for hearsay; in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions, for inspection of court files and records, for law enforcement records, for conduct of hearings, for transfer to criminal proceedings and for assessment of delinquent children by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board; in court-ordered involuntary treatment of certain sexually violent persons, further providing for definitions and for court-ordered involuntary treatment; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second or subsequent offenses, for sentences for offenses against elderly persons, for sentences for offenses against infant persons, for sentences for offenses committed while impersonating a law enforcement officer, for sentencing for trafficking of persons, for definitions, for sexual offenses and tier system, for termination of period of registration for juvenile offenders, for assessments, for registration and for assessments; in judicial change of name, further providing for change by order of court; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole procedure; and, in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states.

PA HB2300

Relating to the offense of solicitation of prostitution, civil racketeering related to human trafficking, and common and public nuisances related to certain criminal conduct, including prostitution; increasing a criminal penalty; making conforming changes.

PA HB3626

CRIM CD-PROSTITUTION-REPEAL

PA H0895

Prostitution and Related Acts

PA HB2795

Relating to the offense of solicitation of prostitution and certain other consequences of that offense; increasing a criminal penalty; making conforming changes.

PA SB527

In theft and related offenses, further providing for the offense of theft of mail.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.