New Mexico lawmakers seek to end penalties for youth in prostitution
ALBUQUERQUE - Children who are subjected to prostitution won’t be treated as criminals under legislation being considered by the state Legislature.
The legislation sponsored by Rep. Gail Chasey, an Albuquerque Democrat who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, proposes changing state law so that prostitution would no longer be considered a punishable offense or delinquent act for New Mexico youth. The committee passed the proposal on Wednesday.
The state’s children’s code currently lists prostitution among numerous offenses for which juveniles can be arrested and taken into custody.
Under the measure, the Children Youth and Families Department would instead refer children and teens younger than 18 to community-based services. The youth would be connected with counseling and housing services, Chasey said. The bill does not define the scope of those services.
Read more: https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/legislature/2019/01/31/child-prostitution-new-mexico-lawmakers-seek-end-penalties/2728233002/