Decriminalizes certain commercial sexual activity. It would also include human trafficking as a racketeering activity and would allow expungements of certain convictions in § 11-34.1 after one year.

Rhode Island Bill Summary: Commercial Sexual Activity & Human Trafficking

This bill makes significant changes to how Rhode Island handles laws related to commercial sex work. Most notably, it would decriminalize certain forms of commercial sexual activity, meaning that people engaged in consensual adult sex work would no longer face criminal charges under the specific statutes listed in Rhode Island law (Section 11-34.1). This does not mean the activity becomes fully legal or regulated — it simply means it would no longer be treated as a criminal offense subject to arrest and prosecution.

The bill also strengthens penalties related to human trafficking by adding it to the state's list of racketeering activities. Racketeering laws are typically used to go after organized criminal enterprises, so this change would give law enforcement and prosecutors more powerful legal tools to pursue and punish individuals and networks involved in trafficking people for commercial sex or other purposes.

Additionally, the bill creates a path for people who were previously convicted under these commercial sexual activity laws to have those convictions expunged (erased) from their records after one year. This could help individuals who were arrested or convicted in the past — many of whom may have been victims of trafficking or exploitation themselves — move forward without a criminal record affecting their ability to find jobs, housing, or other opportunities.

This bill would primarily affect people who have engaged in or been charged with commercial sexual activity, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and survivors of human trafficking in Rhode Island. It is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for review.