PROSTITUTION VIOLATIONS: LOWER AGE LIMIT
House Bill 5449
Sponsor: Rep. Judson Gilbert II
Committee: Criminal Justice
Complete to 11-26-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5449 AS INTRODUCED 11-1-01
The bill would amend several provisions of the Michigan Penal Code to lower the age threshold for certain prostitution-related crimes. Currently, a person 17 years of age or older who solicits or accosts another to commit prostitution or lewdness, who admits or offers to admit a person into a place (structure, house, building, or vehicle) for the purpose of prostitution or lewdness, or who aids or abets another person to commit prostitution or lewdness is guilty of a misdemeanor for a first or second offense and a felony for a third or subsequent offense. The bill would lower the age threshold to 16 years of age or older.
Current law also makes it a misdemeanor offense to employ, receive, detain, or allow - for purposes other than for prostitution - a female under 17 years of age in a house of prostitution. The bill would instead prohibit a person from employing, receiving, detaining, or allowing a person under 16 years of age to remain in a house of prostitution. (Thus, the bill would lower the age threshold and the prohibition would pertain to both underage males and females.) Further, the bill would specify that a violation of the prohibition would be a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $100, or both.
MCL 750.448 et al.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.