An act relating to voluntary engagement in sex work
S.54 would repeal Vermont’s existing prostitution statute, including the provisions that criminalize “indiscriminate sexual intercourse” and consensual sex work for hire by adults. The bill’s stated purpose is to remove criminal penalties for voluntary sex work between consenting adults while keeping in place, and emphasizing, the state’s existing human trafficking laws and penalties for conduct involving force, fraud, or coercion.
The bill also includes legislative findings arguing that Vermont’s prostitution laws are outdated, rooted in early 20th-century moral norms, and inconsistent with personal and bodily autonomy. It cites research and public health evidence claiming that criminalization increases violence, health risks, and barriers to safety and services for sex workers. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.
If enacted, S.54 would repeal 13 V.S.A. chapter 59, subchapter 2, eliminating Vermont’s current prostitution offenses and removing criminal liability for consensual adult sex work under those provisions. It would not alter the state’s human trafficking framework in 13 V.S.A. chapter 60, which would continue to prohibit trafficking, patronizing minors or coerced persons, and related conduct, with substantial felony penalties remaining in place. The practical effect would be to shift the legal treatment of voluntary sex work away from criminal enforcement while preserving enforcement against exploitation, coercion, and trafficking.
Based on the bill text alone, the measure is framed positively and reform-oriented, with sponsors presenting it as a public health, safety, and autonomy issue rather than a morality issue. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented legislative debate or vote history to indicate broader chamber sentiment. The introduction by multiple senators suggests at least some sponsorship support, but the overall institutional reaction is not available from the supplied materials.
The central point of contention is the repeal of prostitution laws as applied to consensual adult sex work. Supporters, as reflected in the findings, view the current law as outdated and harmful because it criminalizes voluntary conduct and may increase risks to sex workers. Opponents, if any emerge in later debate, would likely focus on concerns about public order, exploitation, and whether decriminalization could complicate enforcement against trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation. The bill explicitly tries to address that concern by preserving and highlighting strong trafficking penalties and coercion-based offenses.