New York Bill Would Decriminalize Consensual Sex Work

The bill is structured in parts. One repeals the criminal penalties that fall on consensual adult sex work; the sponsor memo frames the goal as repealing statutes that criminalize sex work between consenting adults while keeping laws relating to minors and trafficking in place. A second part offers record relief, allowing people previously convicted of newly decriminalized prostitution offenses to have those convictions vacated and expunged. A third makes conforming changes across related statutes.

Salazar's bill reflects a full-decriminalization approach, distinct from the 'Nordic' or asymmetric model that decriminalizes the sale of sex but continues to criminalize buyers, an approach competing proposals in New York and laws in states such as Maine have taken. Advocacy groups argue full decriminalization better protects workers' safety and willingness to report violence, while opponents favor models that keep buyer-side penalties.

As of its most recent action, the bill was referred to and remains before the Senate Codes Committee, having been amended and recommitted, and has not advanced to a floor vote. Its reintroduction keeps New York among the states with active legislative decriminalization efforts, even as none has yet enacted full decriminalization.