The bill aims to address commercial sexual exploitation in Washington State by enhancing legal interventions against buyers and increasing support for victims. It recognizes that vulnerable populations, including women, children, and LGBTQ+ individuals, are disproportionately affected by exploitation. The legislation proposes a two-pronged approach: establishing a public health system to support survivors with resources such as housing and trauma recovery services, and implementing measures to deter demand from buyers, who contribute to the violence and profits associated with exploitation.

Key amendments include changing the terminology from "patronizing a prostitute" to "commercial sexual exploitation" and reclassifying the offense from a misdemeanor to a class C felony. The bill also introduces new penalties, including increased fees for offenders based on their prior convictions, with a maximum fee of $10,000 for repeat offenders. Additionally, it mandates that at least 50% of the revenue from these fees be allocated to prevention and rehabilitation programs for victims, ensuring that funds are used effectively to combat commercial sexual exploitation and support affected individuals.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 9A.88.110, 9A.88.120