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AB 299

Revises provisions relating to prostitution. (BDR 15-1080)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nicole Cannizzaro and 1 co-sponsor

AB 299 makes buyers of prostitution subject to mandatory arrest on probable cause, raises fines, and channels civil penalties to enforcement and treatment programs.

(Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.3, no further action allowed.)
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Bill Summary · AB 299

AB 299 — Summary (BDR 15-1080)

Status: Enacted (Chapter 531, Statutes of 2025). Approved by Governor: October 10, 2025. Introduced: January 23, 2025. (Reported as subject to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.3 during earlier proceedings.)

Purpose

AB 299 revises Nevada law governing the criminality and penalties for customers who engage in prostitution or solicitation (outside licensed houses of prostitution). The bill increases monetary penalties, requires arrest on probable cause, creates/clarifies certain civil remedies for victims, adjusts record-sealing timelines, and directs use of civil-penalty revenues for enforcement and treatment.

Key provisions

  • Mandatory arrest: Whether or not a warrant exists, a peace officer must arrest a person when the officer has probable cause to believe the person violated the prohibition on customers engaging in prostitution (NRS 201.354).
  • Increased criminal fines:
    • First offense (adult): minimum fine raised from $400 to $800 (misdemeanor; jail exposure per NRS 193.150).
    • Second offense: gross misdemeanor with minimum fine of $800.
    • Third or subsequent offense: gross misdemeanor with minimum fine of $1,300.
  • Increased civil penalty: court must order a civil penalty of not less than $600 per offense (previously $200). Collected civil penalties go to the city or county treasury.
    • Use of civil-penalty funds: deposited locally and used for (a) enforcement of NRS 201.354 and (b) treatment programs for persons who solicit prostitution certified by the Division of Public and Behavioral Health. At least 50% must be used for enforcement.
    • Courts may permit community service in lieu of full payment where inability to pay is shown.
  • Enhanced penalties for solicitation involving children: separate felony tiers retained/clarified (category D/C/B felonies with specified fines and prison terms).
  • Civil causes of action and statute of limitations:
    • AB 299 (as amended) authorizes a victim who suffered injury as the proximate result of unlawful prostitution/solicitation to sue the convicted person for actual and, where appropriate, punitive damages.
    • A specific 20‑year statute of limitations applies to those civil claims (except where other existing law allows tolling or provides broader timeframes, e.g., when the victim was under 18—those claims remain uncapped).
  • Record sealing: a person discharged and whose proceedings were dismissed after completing an ordered treatment program may petition the court two years after discharge for sealing of all records related to the discharge and dismissal. (Provisions on nonpublic records retained by state agencies for court use are maintained; discharge/dismissal without adjudication language also retained with its limitations.)

Who is affected

  • Primary: customers (buyers) of sex acts occurring outside licensed brothels — increased arrest likelihood, higher fines, civil exposure.
  • Secondary: local law enforcement (mandatory arrest duty), local courts, district/city attorneys (collection/disposition of civil penalties), local government budgets (potential for increased jail/detention use), and survivors of unlawful prostitution (expanded civil remedies and treatment-funding sources).
  • Service providers: treatment programs certified by state health authorities may receive funds from civil penalties.

Fiscal and enforcement impacts

  • Local governments: bill increases or newly provides for local jail or detention exposure and associated costs; civil penalties are directed to local treasuries with minimum allocation to enforcement.
  • State: stated as having no fiscal effect.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Passed both houses (urgency clauses adopted during floor actions) and chaptered on October 10, 2025 (effective upon enactment due to urgency provisions).
  • The measure was amended in committee and on the floor (including joint sponsorship by Senator Cannizzaro and addition of civil-action/statute‑of‑limitations provisions in a reprint and Amendment No. 392).

Stakeholder positions (recorded)

  • Support: victim‑service and anti‑trafficking organizations (argue the bill holds buyers accountable and reduces demand).
  • Opposition/concern: public defenders, sex‑worker advocacy and harm‑reduction groups (caution that increased criminalization can drive sex work underground, increase harm, and reduce cooperation with law enforcement).

Practical effect

AB 299 tightens enforcement against buyers of prostitution by mandating arrest on probable cause and raising monetary penalties, while creating (or clarifying) civil pathways for injured persons and channeling civil penalties toward enforcement and treatment programs.

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

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