Vermont Legislators began introducing bills in 2020 to decriminalize prostitution. 2021, 2022, and now 2023 saw continued efforts to pass this legislation. This year we saw the House introduce H.372, “An act relating to voluntary engagement in sex work.” It’s companion bill, S.125, “An act relating to voluntary engagement in sex work” was also introduced this session. Although neither bill advanced during the 2023 legislative session, H.372 and S.125 both still “sit on the wall” and can be taken up in the 2024 session at any time.
Please stand with our most vulnerable citizens and reach out to the legislators who are promoting these efforts. Ask them to stand up for those who struggle to stand up for themselves. Ask them to STOP promoting these efforts and to protect those of us in Vermont who need protecting. If prostitution were to ever be decriminalized in this state, Vermont would become a sex tourism destination. Such an action would lead to increased prostitution, increased trafficking, increased unprotected sex resulting in pregnancy, and increased forced abortions.
Representatives who supported H.372 were: Representatives Small, Surprenant, Black, Bluemle, Casey, Cina, Headrick, Hyman, Kornheiser, LaMont, McGill, Mulvaney-Stanak, Pajala, and Rachelson.
Senators who supported S.125 were: Senators White, Bray, Clarkson, Gulick, Hardy, Harrison, Hashim, McCormack, Ram Hinsdale, and Vyhovsky.
