SB 2178

Present law provides that it is an offense w hen a person patronizes prostitution where the subject of the offense is a law enforcement officer or a n 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, p atronizing 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, p atronizing prostitution from a person who is younger than 18 , has an intellectual 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 traffick 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.