If HB 287 becomes law, a committee would be formed to study decriminalizing both the buying and selling of sex work (prostitution).

According to the bill, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Edwards, the committee would look at the positive and negatives behind changes in laws related to sex work in other locations around the world. The committee would also look at Rhode Island where prostitution was made illegal in 2009.

The committee would also look at related issues, such as the effects on rates of sexual assault and sexually transmitted infections, in addition to costs to the police and court systems.

In the US, more than 55,000 prostitution arrests are made annually.

Supporters for decriminalizing sex work emphasize that low-income and homeless women, women of color and trans people are unfairly targeted in prostitution prosecutions. Others argue that sex work is a business transaction between consenting individuals.

Opponents contend, however, that sex work is akin to slavery and condones the extreme sexualization of women. Some argue that sex work leads to human trafficking.

Should NH decriminalize sex work?  Leave a comment to join the discussion.