Bill description: HB 584 would impose fines for the existing crime of patronizing a prostitute.
Rating: -1
Does it directly or indirectly create or increase penalties for victimless crimes or non-restorative penalties for nonviolent crimes? Conversely, does it eliminate or decrease penalties for victimless crimes or non-restorative penalties for non-violent crimes?
This legislation would impose higher penalties for the misdemeanor crime of patronizing a prostitute. In Idaho, patronizing a prostitute is a misdemeanor when it occurs on the first or second offense. It results in a $1,000 fine, as outlined by Idaho Code 18-113, which provides for misdemeanor penalties not otherwise specified in statute. The new law would increase the fine to $2,000 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for a second offense. In both cases, the crime would remain a misdemeanor. The felony provision in the existing statute, for third offenses and beyond, remains unchanged.
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Analyst's Note: If HB 584 passes, the higher penalties would exceed those for assault, battery, sexual exploitation by a medical care provider, and a first-offense violation of a no-contact order, among other crimes.