Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB632

Introduced
2/20/25  

Caption

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

Impact

If enacted, the bill would impact the grading of certain offenses regarding prostitution, particularly those related to individuals who knowingly promote prostitution involving persons who are HIV positive. The intent is to address past legislative decisions that have resulted in severe penalties for individuals in these situations. This modification could lead to a reduction in the number of felony charges imposed in cases of prostitution linked to HIV status, aligning legal practices more closely with contemporary views on public health and criminal justice.

Summary

House Bill 632 seeks to amend Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes particularly concerning public indecency and related offenses, focusing on prostitution. The bill intends to modify existing statutes that detail the grading and penalties associated with prostitution-related offenses. Notably, it includes provisions that allow for the resentencing of individuals previously convicted under certain sections of the law, potentially reducing felonies to misdemeanors for eligible cases.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 632 appears to be mixed, reflecting the complexities of sex work legislation and public health concerns. Supporters of the bill argue that it humanizes individuals in vulnerable situations, allowing for fairer treatment and decreased stigma for those involved in prostitution, especially under health-related circumstances. Conversely, some opposition exists around the implications of reducing penalties, with critics expressing concern that it may not sufficiently deter exploitation or address broader issues of human trafficking.

Contention

The most significant contention surrounding HB 632 lies in its approach to the intersection of criminal law and public health. Advocates for public health reform support the idea of reducing penalties to mitigate stigma and promote treatment, while opponents may argue that leniency in law could undermine efforts to combat exploitation and provide adequate safeguards for both sex workers and the broader community. This debate underscores the ongoing tension between progressive reform in criminal justice and the perceived needs for strict enforcement against sex-related offenses.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2171

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

PA SB1122

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

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 SB527

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

PA SB600

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of arson and related offenses; and, in sentencing, further providing for sentencing procedure for murder of the first degree.

PA HB323

In other offenses, further providing for the offense of invasion of privacy.

PA HB2503

In other offenses, further providing for the offense of invasion of privacy.

PA HB1326

In criminal homicide, repealing provisions relating to the offense of drug delivery resulting in death; in assault, providing for the offense of drug delivery resulting in death or serious bodily injury; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for additional fine for arson committed for profit; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions; in limitation of time, further providing for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; and, in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second and subsequent offenses.

PA HB416

In assault, further providing for the offense of stalking.

PA HB696

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

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.