By Guy Page
H268, a bill to create a study group “for the purpose of modernizing Vermont’s prostitution laws,” was introduced yesterday into the Vermont House. It alleges state law prohibiting prostitution is steeped in racism.
It is sponsored by Representatives Selene Colburn of Burlington, House Judiciary Chair Maxine Grad of Moretown, Kate Donnally of Hyde Park, John Killacky of South Burlington, Emilie Kornheiser of Brattleboro, Jim Masland of Thetford, Bill Notte of Rutland City, Barbara Rachelson of Burlington, Taylor Small of Winooski, and Rebecca White of Hartford. Grad, Colburn, Donnally, Notte and Rachelson all sit on the House Judiciary Committee, where the bill has been sent.
A virtually identical bill aimed at legalizing prostitution in Vermont, H568, passed the House last year but was stalled in the Senate.
The bill alleges that current prostitution laws are rooted in white supremacy: “The majority of Vermont’s laws on prostitution were adopted more than 100 years ago and have remained largely unchanged since that time…. a section of law codified in 1910 pursuant to ‘An act to prevent what is commonly known as the ‘white slave’ traffic,’ prohibits transportation of persons into and out of the State not only for the purpose of prostitution but also for ‘any immoral purpose.’ Historically, these types of laws were used to prosecute men of color for having relationships with white women.”
H569, a companion bill to H568, maintained penalties for coerced prostitution but legalized consensual prostitution. Critics of legalization say the practice is inherently oppressive and that few women freely choose prostitution as a career choice.
H268 also would provide limited immunity for people reporting information about crimes when the information was gained while engaged in prostitution.
For more information on human trafficking in Vermont, contact New Englanders Against Sexual Violence.
Read other Vermont Daily coverage of legalized prostitution legislation:
Kingdom lawmaker vocal on carbon, prostitution, American flag
Legalizing prostitution in Vermont would increase demand for young prostitutes
Vermont should help women escape prostitution, not legalize it, human trafficking official says
Gender-neutral Constitution amendment, tax & regulate prostitution proposed
Nevada ex-prostitutes expose life in legal sex trade
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