HB 1787

Present law provides that it is an offense when a person patronizes prostitution where the subject of the offense is a law enforcement officer or an adult law enforcement officer posing as a minor. This bill removes this provision and provides, instead, that it is an offense when a person patronizes prostitution where the subject of the offense is any of the following:  A law enforcement officer.  A law enforcement officer 18 or older posing as a minor.  A person who has an intellectual disability.  A person who is less than 18. PENALTY Present law provides that, generally, patronizing prostitution is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months, 29 days in prison, a fine up to $2,500, or both. However, patronizing prostitution from a person who is younger than 18, has an intel lectual disability, or is a law enforcement officer posing as a minor is punishable as trafficking for commercial sex, which is generally a Class B felony, punishable by eight to 30 years in prison and a fine up to $25,000. However, a violation of traffi ck ing for commercial sex is a Class A felony if the victim of the offense is a child 12 to 18. This bill removes these provisions. This bill provides, instead, the following penalties:  Patronizing prostitution where the subject of the offense is a law enforcement officer is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months, 29 days in prison, a fine up to $2,500, or both.  Patronizing prostitution where the subject of the offense is either a law enforcement officer posing as a minor or a person who has an intellectual disability is a Class B felony, punishable by eight to 30 years in prison and a fine up to $25,000.  Patronizing prostitution where the subject of the offense is less than 18 is a Class A felony, punishable by 15 to 60 years in prison and a fine up to $50,000. ON APRIL 14, 2026, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 1787, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 updates a cross-reference citation without making a substantive change to present law.