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 © 2024 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

Lilyadick Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Canadian star Lilyadick has made her debut for TransAngels alongside Parker Savage in the video game-themed scene “Playing With The NPC Babe.”

SantanaXXL, Trevor Brooks & Shadow Star in Latest From Men.com

SantanaXXL, Trevor Brooks and Shadow star in the studio’s latest release, titled “Gobble That Cock Part 2.”

2025 XMA Award Nominees Announced

'Tis the season to celebrate as the nominees for the 2025 XMAs – Adult Industry’s Biggest Night® – have been revealed, honoring outstanding achievements across the global adult industry, with 1,625 nominees spanning 100 categories.

Kansas Law Firm Deploys Religion, Bunk Science While Recruiting Plaintiffs Under AV Law

Kansas-based personal injury law firm Mann Wyatt Tanksley is promoting debunked scientific theories and leveraging religious affiliation against the industry while it seeks potential plaintiffs for lawsuits against adult companies under the state’s age verification law.

UK Tech Secretary Lists Age Verification Among OSA Priorities

Peter Kyle, the U.K.’s Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, on Wednesday made public a draft version of his priorities for implementing the Online Safety Act (OSA), including age verification.

ASGMax Releases 1st Installment of 'Goldenrod Resort 2'

Alpha Studio Group has released the first installment of "Goldenrod Resort 2: Singles Weekend," the second feature to be released under the company's new ASGmax Films brand.

Sir Peter, Paddy O'Brian Star in 'Spain in the Ass' From NakedSword

Falcon/NakedSword Exclusive Sir Peter and Paddy O’Brian star in the studio's latest release, titled "Spain in the Ass."

10th Circuit Rejects Final FSC Appeal in Utah AV Case

The United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit on Monday rejected a motion by Free Speech Coalition (FSC) requesting that the full court rehear its appeal in Free Speech Coalition v. Anderson, the industry trade association’s challenge to Utah’s age verification law.

Jax Returns to Sean Cody

Jax makes his return to Sean Cody, starring in the studio’s new six-part series “Tropical Getaway.”

Men.com to Debut Drake Von's 1st Bottoming Scene

Men.com exclusive Drake Von makes his bottoming debut in the studio's latest release, “Top to Bottom.”

Show More