Bill > S03967

This bill provides legal protection for individuals engaged in prostitution who are victims of or witnesses to a crime. Specifically, the bill creates a new section in the penal law that grants limited immunity from prosecution for prostitution-related offenses (under sections 230.00 and 230.03) when a person reports a crime, seeks necessary medical care, or assists in the investigation or prosecution of a crime. The immunity applies to acts of prostitution committed at or near the time of the crime and under circumstances reasonably related to the crime. If a person is charged with a prostitution offense but believes they qualify for immunity, they can request a hearing within 15 days of the charge, where the court will review evidence to determine if the immunity conditions were met. If the court finds by "clear and convincing evidence" that the conditions for immunity were satisfied, the charges will be dismissed. The bill defines "crime" broadly to include acts that reasonably appear to be criminal, regardless of whether they result in a conviction. The law will take effect 60 days after becoming law and will apply to prosecutions pending at that time.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3967