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Bill

A 1185

Upgrades offense of prostitution as patron; directs fines collected to "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Aura Dunn and 9 co-sponsors

New Jersey bill upgrades penalties for purchasing sex acts and directs fines to a Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund to support trafficking victims.

Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading
#crimproced #crimes
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Bill Summary · A 1185

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 1185 upgrades the criminal offense of purchasing sexual services (patronizing prostitution) in New Jersey and dedicates all fines collected from these convictions to a newly established "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund." The bill treats buying sexual services as a more serious offense while redirecting penalty revenue toward victim support services.

Why is this important

This legislation attempts to address human trafficking by increasing legal consequences for demand-side participation in prostitution, under the theory that reducing demand decreases trafficking. The dedicated funding stream would create a revenue mechanism for survivor services without requiring separate appropriations, potentially expanding support programs for trafficking victims.

Potential points of contention

  • Criminalization vs. decriminalization debate: Criminal justice advocates are divided on whether upgrading patron penalties is effective; some argue full decriminalization or sex work legalization would better protect vulnerable individuals from trafficking by bringing the industry into regulation
  • Conflation of sex work and trafficking: Critics argue the bill treats all prostitution as trafficking-related, when consensual sex work and human trafficking are distinct issues requiring different policy responses
  • Funding adequacy concerns: Relying solely on fines from prosecutions may create unpredictable, insufficient funding for survivor services; questions exist about whether this generates sustainable revenue or incentivizes prosecution over prevention

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

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