Honorable Aaron Pena, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3371 by Thompson (Relating to the penalty for the offense of compelling prostitution.), As Introduced
The bill would amend the Penal Code by enhancing the penalty for those who cause someone younger than 18 years to commit prostitution. At present the offense of compelling prostitution is punishable as a felony of the second degree. Under the provision of this bill, causing someone younger than 18 years to commit prostitution would be punishable as a felony of the first degree.
A felony of the second degree is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 20 years or less than 2 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.
A felony of the first degree is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 5 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.
Increasing the penalty for any criminal offense is expected to result in increased demands upon the correctional resources of counties or of the State due to longer terms of probation, or, longer terms of confinement in county jails or prison. During fiscal year 2006 less than ten offenders were admitted to prison for compelling someone under age to commit prostitution. Assuming the same number of offenders in future years, implementation of this bill is not expected to have a significant impact on criminal justice populations.