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AB 209

Provides immunity from criminal liability for engaging in prostitution or solicitation for prostitution. (BDR 15-781)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by David Orentlicher

Grants limited immunity from prostitution/solicitation charges to those who seek emergency medical care or report needs, encouraging victims to report without fear of prosecution.

Vetoed by the Governor.
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Bill Summary · AB 209

AB 209 — Immunity for Prostitution/Solicitation When Seeking Medical Assistance (BDR 15‑781)

Status: Vetoed by the Governor (June 5, 2025)
Introduced: January 8, 2025
Sponsor: Assemblymember David Orentlicher (reprints)
Effective-date provision in bill: applies to offenses committed on or after October 1, 2025 (had it become law)

Purpose / Intent

AB 209 was drafted to reduce a barrier that discourages people engaged in criminalized sex work from seeking help when they are victims or witnesses of serious crimes. The bill declares it public policy to encourage victims of serious violent crimes to report and participate in the criminal justice system without fear of prosecution for prostitution-related offenses.

Key provisions (final enrolled version)

  • Adds new sections to Chapter 201 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS).
  • Creates limited criminal immunity for a person described as a “prostitute” under NRS definitions from:
    • Violations of NRS 201.353 (prostitution) and paragraph (b) of subsection 1 of NRS 207.030 (solicitation-related offense).
  • Conditions for immunity:
    1. The person seeks medical assistance from a 911 emergency service or a medical provider; and
    2. The evidence supporting the alleged prostitution/solicitation violation was obtained as a result of:
      • the person seeking medical assistance,
      • the immediate need for medical assistance, or
      • reporting a need for medical assistance.
  • Incorporates existing NRS definitions of “prostitute,” “prostitution,” etc., into the new sections.
  • Applies prospectively to offenses committed on or after October 1, 2025.

Legislative history / procedural timeline

  • Referred to Judiciary Committee (prefiled Feb 3, 2025).
  • Passed Assembly (third reading, March 20, 2025).
  • Passed Senate with amendments (May 21–22, 2025); multiple amendments and reprints narrowed the bill’s scope from an originally broader proposal (which would have covered additional low‑level offenses and immunity when acting as witness/victim for certain violent crimes) to the final medical‑assistance‑only formulation.
  • Enrolled and delivered to Governor: May 29, 2025.
  • Vetoed by the Governor: June 5, 2025.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: persons who meet statutory definition of “prostitute” under NRS (those engaged in prostitution/solicitation).
  • Secondary: law enforcement, prosecutors, medical providers, courts — because the bill limits prosecutorial options in the narrowly defined circumstances and could affect evidence handling.
  • Policy stakeholders: advocates for victims of trafficking/sexual violence (support testimony submitted), and opponents concerned about potential loopholes or impacts on public safety.

Potential impacts and debate

  • Supporters argued the immunity would increase reporting of violent crimes against sex workers and improve victim safety and prosecution of serious offenders. Testimony and surveys cited distrust of law enforcement among sex workers and low reporting rates for violent crimes.
  • Opponents warned the immunity could be abused to avoid prosecution for prostitution (and earlier drafts had broader concerns about drug/offense exemptions), creating enforcement challenges.
  • Amendments during committee consideration narrowed the bill’s scope in response to these concerns; a conceptual amendment proposing data collection was discussed but not adopted in the enrolled version.

Fiscal note: bill reported “No effect on local government; No effect on the State.”

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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