Today's Politics news sponsored by:. Don't miss our comprehensive coverage of the legislature. A group of lawmakers has introduced a bill for the session that would decriminalize sex work in the state of Vermont. The bill , only four pages long, would simply repeal current sex work statutes prohibiting the act.
Human trafficking and the sale of sex that is coerced in any form would still be illegal under the legislation, but it would decriminalize the sale of sex between two consenting adults. Selene Colburn, P-Burlington, said she introduced the bill primarily to protect sex workers from the risks inherent in the illicit profession.
Research has shown that where sex work is criminalized, sex workers experience far higher rates of sexual and physical violence from their clients and abuse from law enforcement. Simply, sex work would not be illegal in the state, so charges could not be brought against a sex worker or the person paying for sex.
The bill is also being sponsored by Rep. Diana Gonzalez, P-Winooski; Rep. Maxine Grad, D-Moretown; and Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, D-Brattleboro. It will be heading to the House Judiciary Committee for review.
Colburn said the bill will be considered in tandem with H. While conversations about decriminalizing sex work in the United States are picking up steam, only some states have introduced legislation considering the idea. If passed, Vermont would become the first state in the nation to decriminalize sex work. Nevada is the only state in the nation where a few counties have legalized sex work. Missing out on the latest scoop?
