Prostitution crime surcharge and making an appropriation. (FE)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Under current law, the court must impose certain surcharges on a defendant who has been found guilty of a criminal offense. The surcharges are in addition to any applicable fines, costs, and fees. For instance, the court must impose a crime victim and witness assistance surcharge in an amount of $67 for each conviction of a misdemeanor count and in an amount of $92 for each conviction of a felony count. The surcharge amounts collected reimburse counties for services provided to victims and witnesses of crimes.

This bill creates a $5,000 surcharge to be imposed on persons who are convicted of patronizing or soliciting prostitutes, pandering, keeping a place of prostitution, soliciting a child for prostitution, or patronizing a child. Under the bill, the surcharge amounts collected are used for treatment and services for sex-trafficking victims and for criminal investigative operations and law enforcement relating to Internet crimes against children.

Who's behind it

13 representatives are its authors⁠. 10 are Republicans and 3 are Democrats.

3 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From CTS
• Fiscal Estimate From DA