Bill
A 1029
The bill provides legal protections and possible immunity for prostitution victims or witnesses to crimes, aiming to improve reporting, cooperation, and access to victim services.
Status and procedural history
- Bill number: A1029 (primary sponsor: Assemblymember Anna Kelles). Numerous cosponsors across the Assembly.
- Referred to the Codes Committee on January 8, 2025.
- Amended and printed as A1029A (March 24, 2025). Reported out and advanced to third reading (May 8, 2025). Amended on third reading as A1029B (June 4, 2025).
- June 17, 2025: A1029 was substituted by S3967B (the Senate companion/vehicle); subsequent consideration will proceed under that Senate bill number.
Purpose and intent
- The bill “relates to individuals engaged in prostitution who are victims of or witnesses to a crime.” Its stated aim (by title and legislative context) is to change how the criminal justice system treats people engaged in prostitution when they are victims of crime or witnesses—typically to increase protections, reduce collateral consequences, and facilitate cooperation with investigations and prosecutions of other offenses.
Key provisions (based on bill title and common legislative approaches)
- Provides protections or limited immunity from arrest/ prosecution for prostitution-related offenses for persons who are victims of or witnesses to certain crimes, where this immunity is necessary to secure reporting, testimony, or cooperation.
- Establishes or clarifies procedure for law enforcement and prosecutors to identify eligible victims/witnesses and to document the basis for any protections.
- May require or authorize vacatur, non-prosecution, or dismissal of prostitution charges in circumstances where the individual was a victim of or cooperating witness to another crime.
- May direct agencies to develop protocols, training, or referral pathways to victim services (medical care, housing, counseling, social services) for affected individuals.
- Likely includes safeguards to balance public safety and prosecutorial discretion (e.g., exceptions for violent offenders, trafficking perpetrators, or when public safety concerns outweigh immunity).
Who would be affected
- Individuals engaged in prostitution who are victims of, coerced into, or witnesses to crimes (including assault, trafficking, or other felonies).
- Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts—responsible for applying new procedures and documenting eligibility for protections.
- Victim service providers and social service agencies—potentially tasked with outreach, assessment, and support.
- Potential indirect effects on public-safety casework and records management.
Impact and implementation notes
- The bill aims to remove barriers that discourage crime reporting and cooperation by people involved in prostitution, while connecting them to services.
- Substitution by S3967B means final text and any amendments will be considered under the Senate bill number; interested parties should review S3967B for the enacted language and details.
- Because the full text is not included here, stakeholders should consult the bill text (A1029A/B or S3967B) for exact definitions, eligibility criteria, procedural requirements, and any exceptions.
Related legislation
- Companion: S3967 / S3967B. Prior-session related measures: A255, A7471, A8869.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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