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

Drake Von, Hazel Hoffman Star in Latest From Men.com

Men.com exclusive Drake Von and Hazel Hoffman star in the studio's latest release, titled "The Last Time."

Heath Halo, Jayson Parker Star in Latest From Fetish Force

Heath Halo and Jayson Parker star in the first installment of "To The Edge," from Falcon/NakedSword studio brand Fetish Force.

AV Bulletin: Age Verification Hits the Mainstream, Ofcom Sets a Date

Industry stakeholders and free speech advocates have anxiously been awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which could significantly impact state age verification laws around the country. In the meantime, state legislatures continue to weigh and pass AV bills, AV tech providers continue to tout their services, and legal challenges continue to play out in the courts — with some cases on hold pending the SCOTUS ruling in Paxton.

NakedSword Releases New Rhyheim Shabazz Collab

NakedSword has debuted its latest collaborative release with producer Rhyheim Shabazz.

Arcom Reports Age Verification Enforcement Actions Against 5 Adult Sites

French media regulator Arcom released a statement Tuesday detailing recent actions to enforce age verification rules as set forth under France’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

Kieran, Gianni Amaro & Bunker Front Latest From Sean Cody

Kieran, Gianni Amaro, and Bunker star in the latest release from Sean Cody.

Tito Patron, Ali Rush Headline 'Kinky Hookups' From Icon Male

Tito Patron and Ali Rush topline the latest title from Mile High Media studio imprint Icon Male, titled “Kinky Hookups.”

Zariah Aura Stars in Latest From Transfixed

Zariah Aura stars with Kenna James in the latest release from Transfixed, titled "Feeling Her Way."

Brittney Kade Fronts 'Couples Loving Trans 2' From GenderX

Brittney Kade stars with Adira Allure and Sage Roux in the second volume of GenderX Films' "Couples Loving Trans," directed by Jim Powers.

Christian Wilde Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Christian Wilde has relaunched his site through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Show More