NY State Senators Introduce Bill to Decriminalize Sex Work

NY State Senators Introduce Bill to Decriminalize Sex Work

NEW YORK — New York State legislators introduced a bill today that would decriminalize sex work and repeal statutes that prohibit the buying and selling of sex between adults.

Current laws against rape and assault, sexual harassment and human trafficking would be unaffected.

The 13-page bill was introduced today, following calls for legislation to address the issue earlier this year, according to reports. Advocacy group DecrimNY.org is the driving force behind the bill, sponsored by state senators Jessica Ramos and Julia Salazar.

Five other senators also introduced a companion bill into the state Assembly.

The bill modifies laws “around facilities that are used as places of prostitution,” according to one report, and would legalize the buying and selling of sex “under certain circumstances.”

Ramos and Salazar stress their bill protects LGBTQ youth, living on the street, who have been found to trade sex at higher rates than of other youths, and undocumented immigrants, who make up the largest group arrested in massage parlor raids.

“Every worker in New York and beyond has an inherent right to a safe workplace environment no matter what work they do. We are here to affirm sex work is work,” said Ramos during a news conference.

Jessica Raven is a former sex worker and an activist who works with DecrimNY. She penned an op-ed for the Daily News that addresses the core components of the proposed legislation.

“New York criminalizes adults for trading sex for resources, but falls short in addressing root causes. Instead, we subject sex workers, and the people who live and work with them, to state violence,” she said.  “Criminal records make it harder for people in the sex trades to access resources such as housing, services and other employment.”

Further, she notes, "criminalization also makes workers more vulnerable to police violence." Decriminalization protects sex workers who could vet clients and report violence because their work would no longer be underground. "We distinguish this model from legalization models like we’ve seen in Nevada and Amsterdam, where those who are most marginalized, such as people who don’t have documentation or are experiencing homelessness, are excluded by strict legal requirements that empower owners and managers over workers themselves."

Read the full text of the proposed legislation here.

Follow DecrimNY on Twitter.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

2025 XMA Europa Awards Expand With New Creator Branch, Pre-Noms Now Open

XMA organizers are pleased to announce the categories for the 2025 XMA Europa Awards, the capstone event of XBIZ Amsterdam.

Gage Palmer, Eddie Patrick Headline 'Sexerance' From SayUncle

Gage Palmer and Eddie Patrick star in the first installment of the latest SayUncle feature, "Sexerance."

Canadian Senator Revives Push for National AV Law

Sen. Julie Miville-Dechêne, whose previous multiple attempts to legislate national age verification requirements all failed, has introduced a new bill that would impose fines of up to $500,000 on adult sites that do not implement age verification for Canadian viewers.

FSC Submits Statement to House Committee in Support of FIRM Act

Free Speech Coalition has announced that it submitted a statement to the House Financial Services Committee in support of the Financial Integrity and Regulation Management (FIRM) Act.The announcement follows:

Trump Tariffs Remain in Effect Pending Appeal of Trade Court Ruling

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on Thursday stayed an injunction by the U.S. Court of International Trade, delaying the trade court’s order blocking the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs, which have significantly impacted the pleasure industry.

Joey Dane, Diego Silva & Angelo Front Latest From Sean Cody

Joey Dane, Diego Silva, and Angelo star in the latest release from Sean Cody.

Ariel Demure Headlines 'TS Chronicles' From TransSensual

Reigning XMAs Trans Performer of the Year Ariel Demure toplines “TS Chronicles” from Mile High Media studio imprint TransSensual.

Angellica Good Returns to TransAngels

Angellica Good stars with William Seed in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “Jumping to Cumclusions.”

Malik Delgaty Fronts Latest From Men.com

Malik Delgaty stars in the latest release from Men.com, titled "Clear Eyes, Full Balls, Can’t Lose."

Crystal Thayer Stars in Latest From Transfixed

Crystal Thayer stars with River Lynn in the latest release from Transfixed, titled "Lonely Goddess of Love."

Show More