An act relating to voluntary engagement in sex work

S 54 would repeal Vermont’s laws criminalizing consensual sex work between adults and "indiscriminate sexual intercourse" for hire, while maintaining felony penalties for human trafficking. It directly affects adult sex workers who engage voluntarily, removing criminal penalties for their work. The bill replaces outdated laws (dating to the early 1900s) with a focus on protecting those compelled into sex work through force, fraud, or coercion. The legislation cites research showing criminalization increases health risks and safety threats for sex workers, aligning with a 2018 Johns Hopkins study on the harms of sex work laws.