Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB1122

Introduced
4/5/24  

Caption

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

Impact

If enacted, Senate Bill 1122 would significantly impact state laws regarding public indecency and prostitution. The legislative changes proposed in the bill may include stricter penalties for offenses and modifications to the classification of these acts. This could lead to an increase in arrests and prosecutions for offenses previously deemed less serious. Furthermore, by clarifying definitions, the bill seeks to reduce ambiguity in enforcement, which can lead to more consistent application of the law across different jurisdictions within the state.

Summary

Senate Bill 1122 seeks to address and revise the legal framework surrounding public indecency and related offenses, particularly focusing on prostitution. The bill aims to provide clearer definitions and stipulations concerning these offenses, thereby enhancing law enforcement’s ability to address issues related to public conduct. By amending existing legal texts, SB1122 intends to streamline the prosecution and penalties associated with public indecency acts, which could potentially increase the efficiency of the legal process in these cases.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB1122 appears to be mixed, with supporters advocating for the clarity and strength it brings to existing laws. Proponents argue that it will help law enforcement effectively manage and mitigate public indecency issues. On the other hand, there are concerns from civil rights groups and some lawmakers who argue that the proposed changes might lead to increased criminalization of vulnerable populations, particularly sex workers. This division highlights a broader debate on how to effectively balance public morality laws with individual rights.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the potential for the bill to disproportionately affect marginalized individuals engaged in sex work. Critics argue that without adequate support systems in place, the harsher penalties could lead to increased criminal records among those already vulnerable, while others argue that the bill is necessary to protect community standards and public order. This tension reflects broader societal debates surrounding issues of morality, legality, and the treatment of sex work as a criminal offense rather than a public health issue.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2171

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.