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SALT LAKE CITY — A Senate panel approved a bill Wednesday that would clarify that a person is guilty of prostitution when not only engaging in a sexual activity with another for money, but also for trade of goods.
“This bill makes a minor change, or maybe it’s a really big change,” said bill sponsor Sen. Ann Millner, R-Ogden.
Current Utah law specifies an individual can be charged with prostitution for engaging in sexual activity with another for a fee, but it doesn’t clearly state the crime can occur for the equivalent of a fee, like barter or trade of goods, Millner said.
Clarifying the law would aid law enforcement in prosecuting those guilty of prostitution, Millner said.
“I’m surprised it wasn’t already the standard,” said Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Saratoga Springs.
Within three minutes of discussion, the Senate committee unanimously voted to pass SB238 to the Senate floor.
