The proposed bill amends New Jersey's laws on prostitution and related offenses, significantly increasing penalties for various crimes associated with these activities. It introduces new definitions for terms such as "house of prostitution" and "promoting prostitution," and establishes that engaging in or promoting prostitution involving minors is classified as a first-degree crime. Other related offenses are categorized as second or third-degree crimes, with mandatory minimum sentences for certain violations. The bill also creates new offenses for being a leader or participant in a prostitution network, with leaders facing second-degree charges and participants facing third-degree charges. Notably, the bill emphasizes that a conviction does not require proof of profits from prostitution activities.

Additionally, the bill raises the penalties for compelling another to engage in prostitution and for promoting prostitution of one's spouse from third-degree to second-degree crimes, both with mandatory minimum sentencing. It also specifies that crimes related to prostitution, excluding engaging in prostitution as a prostitute, will not be eligible for the Pretrial Intervention Program. This legislative action responds to the findings of the State Commission of Investigation's report on human trafficking in New Jersey's massage and bodywork therapy industry, aiming to strengthen legal consequences for those involved in prostitution networks and address the critical issue of human trafficking in the state.