S.B. 304 & H.B. 582 Under Fire from Conservatives

Bills Decriminalizing “Kiddie” Prostitution Would Turn Morality Upside Down

The author promised to have a new version of S.B. 304 available February 8th. Hopefully, the new bill will not include the decriminalization of juvenile prostitution. If it does, the opposition will proceed. The following facts explain the persistent opposition to her original version.

S.B. 304 decriminalizing juvenile prostitution would drastically affect the law as follows:

• Minors under age 16 could not be charged with the offense of prostitution even when caught soliciting or committing the act. They could engage in and practice the full spectrum of sex acts, including but not limited to sexual intercourse or sodomy, and receive payment for it.

• Minors under age 16 could not be charged with the offense of masturbation, whether as a masseur, masseuse or “sex worker.” They could commit the offense of masturbation for hire (exclusive of sexual intercourse) and receive payment in money or other items.

During a press conference at the State Capitol, February 1, 2010 conservatives announced their opposition to a proposed legal change they never dreamed could occur in Georgia – the decriminalization of “kiddie prostitution2.” If S.B. 304 passes, juvenile prostitution would not be a crime in Georgia and law enforcement officers would have no jurisdiction over it.

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