Bill
Bill > S473
NJ S473
NJ S473Upgrades penalties for certain prostitution crimes; creates crimes of leader of prostitution network and participant in prostitution network.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill upgrades certain crimes related to prostitution and creates the crimes of leader of a prostitution network and participant in a prostitution network The bill upgrades the criminal penalties for the promotion of prostitution to a crime of the second degree and imposes a mandatory minimum term of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, or five years, whichever is greater, during which time the defendant would not be eligible for parole. Under current law, all crimes under the umbrella of promotion of prostitution are crimes of the third degree, except the crimes of soliciting a person to patronize a prostitute and procuring a prostitute for a patron, which are crimes of the fourth degree. The bill also upgrades the criminal penalties for compelling another to engage in or promote prostitution and promoting prostitution of one's spouse from crimes of the third degree to crimes of the second degree, and imposes a mandatory minimum term of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, or five years, whichever is greater, during which time the defendant would not be eligible for parole. The bill creates two new crimes: (1) leader of a prostitution network, a crime of the second degree; and (2) participant in a prostitution network, a crime of the third degree. The bill provides that it is an affirmative defense to the crime of participant in a prostitution network that the defendant was a victim of human trafficking during the commission of the crime. A disorderly persons offense is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 6 months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. A crime of the second degree is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. Under the bill, crimes related to prostitution, with the exception of engaging in prostitution as a prostitute, would be ineligible for admission into the Pretrial Intervention Program. This bill is in response to the State Commission of Investigation report released on October 17, 2024, entitled "An Inquiry into Human Trafficking Activity in the Massage and Bodywork Therapy Industry in New Jersey."
AI Summary
This bill significantly increases penalties for certain prostitution-related offenses and introduces new crimes related to prostitution networks, aiming to address human trafficking concerns highlighted in a recent report. Specifically, it elevates the crime of promoting prostitution, which involves activities like owning or managing a house of prostitution, procuring individuals for prostitution, or encouraging someone to become a prostitute, from a third-degree crime to a second-degree crime, carrying a mandatory minimum prison sentence where parole is not an option. Similarly, compelling someone into prostitution or promoting the prostitution of one's spouse will now also be second-degree crimes with the same mandatory minimum sentencing. The bill creates two new offenses: "leader of a prostitution network," a second-degree crime for those who organize, supervise, or finance prostitution operations, and "participant in a prostitution network," a third-degree crime for those who act as subordinates within such networks, though victims of human trafficking can use this as a defense. Furthermore, most prostitution-related offenses, excluding engaging in prostitution as a prostitute, will no longer be eligible for the Pretrial Intervention Program, a rehabilitation program designed to divert individuals from the traditional criminal justice system.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S473 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S0500/473_I1.HTM |
Loading...