Bill > H4610

This bill establishes an Interagency Commission to study the decriminalization of sex work in Massachusetts, comprising 23 members from various government agencies and advocacy organizations, including survivors of trafficking, sex workers, civil liberties representatives, and public health experts. The commission will be charged with investigating multiple aspects of sex work criminalization, including existing criminal penalties for sex workers and buyers, potential labor protections, necessary health and safety services, strategies to reduce human trafficking, alternative safety models that prioritize public health, and developing a fund to support sex workers' health, safety, and autonomy. Members will be appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with the first meeting required within 90 days of the act's effective date. The commission must submit a comprehensive report with findings and potential legislative recommendations to the state legislature and relevant committees by December 31, 2026, aiming to provide a thorough examination of the complex issues surrounding sex work criminalization and potential policy reforms.