Lawmakers approve more prostitution conviction removals
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The Washington state House has passed a measure to make it easier for women to clear their criminal records in cases where they were trafficked or forced into prostitution.
Under current law, women with prostitution convictions stemming from being forced into the sex trade may have those convictions removed only if they have since had a clean record, are facing no new criminal charges and have never previously had a prostitution conviction vacated.
The bill, passed Monday by a vote of 91-1, would remove those restrictions.
Bill supporters said it would make it easier for victims of the prostitution trade to find work and housing and help them to get their lives in order.
House Bill 1292 heads next to the Senate.
Under current law, women with prostitution convictions stemming from being forced into the sex trade may have those convictions removed only if they have since had a clean record, are facing no new criminal charges and have never previously had a prostitution conviction vacated.
The bill, passed Monday by a vote of 91-1, would remove those restrictions.
Bill supporters said it would make it easier for victims of the prostitution trade to find work and housing and help them to get their lives in order.
House Bill 1292 heads next to the Senate.
About damn time. People forced into selling themselves, who rarely see any of the money, get a far more severe punishment than the pimps, usually. That's sickening. These young women & men need help and recovery, a chance to start anew (many are runaways or from abusive environments), not a harsh punishment on a situation they had little chance to escape from.Â
There are thousands of young men and boys in the US forced into prostitution. So the law just specifies the person must be female? Nice.
Prostitution needs to be legalized and regulated. Its another one of those religious laws and doesn't belong in this country.
@Blindman I completely disagree. Making prostitution legal would be counter intuitive. Pimps will not go away, they will be able to get licenses to run their prostitution rings, therefore going under the radar as long as they pay for licensing their business.  There is no real way to tax this type of business. How could it be regulated? Paying for sex is "Rape for Profit".. Real men don't buy girls!!  What I would say to any man out there with an urge to buy sex from a woman that he doesn't even know her name is; stop being lazy and wine and dine a lady and hope that she will give him the goods. Â
Who is the 'one' MORON that voted against this? #thingsthatmakeyousaywow
@d_2Â Who are the morons that voted the first law into place? Â They were forced into prostitution against their will. Â Why are they prosecuted at all?
@d_2 Easy to figure out. Representative Klippert.
 http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1292&year=2013
@d_2Â Republican, with all the usual religious right bells and whistles...
@lakeview We don't agree often... but do on this one. Cheers...
Unfortunately the other Washington works this way too.
Good thing...however, there IS a more pressing matter that effects FAR more people with MUCH farther reaching consequences on both individual and societal levels....that would be the MIA BUDGET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Woodswalker They're waiting until the special session to work on the budget. Can't be doing anything important unless it is on overtime.
Dear legislature:
It's the BUDGET, stupid!