Senator Saland’s Legislation to Increase Penalties for Patronizing or Promoting Child Prostitution Passes Senate

Senator Steve Saland (R,I,C Poughkeepsie) today announced that the Senate has passed his legislation that changes the way prostitution offenses are handled, especially when a child prostitute is involved (S.1415C).

There are multiple inconsistencies throughout the Penal Law regarding the ages of victims of crimes of prostitution and certain other sex crimes involving children.  Senate bill S.1415C would substantially conform the ages of victims in certain prostitution offenses to the ages of victims of rape offenses.  This bill also raises the penalties for patronizing a prostitute in the third, second and first degrees and for promoting prostitution in the first degree. 

“It is incomprehensible that someone would force a child into prostitution, but it happens,” said Senator Saland.  “It is inconceivable that someone who has sex with a child prostitute faces a lesser penalty than someone who engages in sex with a minor.  This bill corrects that inequity in the law

The bill has been sent to the Assembly for consideration.