Bill > H1757

This bill proposes to promote the health and safety of people in the sex trade by amending existing laws in Massachusetts. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. Striking out the language "Common night walkers, common street walkers, both male and female" from section 53 of chapter 272 of the General Laws, effectively decriminalizing certain aspects of sex work. 2. Repealing subsections (a) and (b) of section 53A of chapter 272, which dealt with the offense of engaging in sexual conduct for a fee. 3. Repealing sections 8 and 62 of chapter 272, which criminalized activities related to sex work. 4. Establishing a process for the expungement of criminal records related to marijuana offenses and prostitution-related offenses committed before the enactment of certain laws. This includes notifying relevant authorities, prohibiting the use of such expunged records in employment applications and court proceedings, and ensuring the restoration of driver's licenses suspended due to marijuana-related infractions. 5. Requiring the review of sentencing records of prisoners currently incarcerated for marijuana or prostitution-related offenses, and providing a process for their potential release if the only basis for their detention was the violation of an expunged law.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1757