AUGUSTA - Today, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law LD 1435, An Act to Reduce Commercial Sexual Exploitation. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Lois Galgay Reckitt, D-South Portland.
"We are long overdue to better protect and decriminalize sellers engaged in prostitution without legalizing pimping and sex buying, acts that would expand the market in Maine," said Reckitt. "LD 1435 is the responsible, effective way to help the sex trade's most vulnerable, particularly Maine kids. I am incredibly grateful for the bipartisan support this bill has received and for Gov. Mills signing it into law."
As amended, the bill eliminates the crime of engaging in prostitution and raises the solicitation of a child for commercial sexual exploitation from a Class D crime to a Class C crime. The bill also makes language changes in state law to rename the crime of "patronizing prostitution of a minor or a person with a mental disability" to "commercial sexual exploitation of a minor or a person with a mental disability" and renames the crime of "solicitation of a child to engage in prostitution" to "solicitation of a child for commercial sexual exploitation."
The bill further adds commercial sexual exploitation to the list of circumstances in a child's family background that would qualify the child as a special needs child under the states adoption assistance program.
The measure will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.
Reckitt is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and represents part of South Portland. She is a member of the Judiciary Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Reckitt] c. 305-965-2744