Category: Vermont
Vermont Prostitution Laws
Is prostitution legal in Vermont?
Vermont prostitution laws make sex work a crime throughout the state. Progressive legislation was introduced in 2020 which would provide limited criminal immunity to sex workers who report a crime committed against themselves. This legislation has Decriminalize Sex Work's full support.
Prostitution Laws of Vermont
§ 2631: Definitions
§ 2632: Prohibited acts
§ 2634: Terms of probation
§ 2635: Slave traffic
§ 2636: Unlawful procurement
§ 2637: Appropriating or levying upon earnings of prostitute
The term "prostitution" shall be construed to include the offering or receiving of the body for sexual intercourse for hire and shall also be construed to include the offering or receiving of the body for indiscriminate sexual intercourse without hire. The term "lewdness" shall be construed to mean open and gross lewdness. The term "assignation" shall be construed to include the making of an appointment or engagement for prostitution or lewdness as defined in this section.
(a) A person shall not:
(1) Occupy a place, structure, building or conveyance for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation;
(2) Knowingly permit a place, structure, building or conveyance owned by the person or under the person's control to be used for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation;
(3) Receive or offer, or agree to receive, a person into a place, structure, building or conveyance for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation;
(4) Permit a person to remain in a place, structure, building or conveyance for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation;
(5) Direct, take or transport or offer or agree to take or transport a person to a place, structure, building or conveyance or to any other person knowingly, or with reasonable cause to know that the purpose of such directing, taking or transporting is prostitution, lewdness or assignation;
(6) Procure or solicit or offer to procure or solicit a person for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation;
(7) Reside in, enter or remain in a place, structure or building or enter or remain in a conveyance for the purpose of prostitution, lewdness or assignation;
(8) Engage in prostitution, lewdness or assignation; or
(9) Aid or abet prostitution, lewdness or assignation, by any means whatsoever.
(b) A person who violates a provision of subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than $100.00 or may be imprisoned not more than one year. For a second offense such person shall be imprisoned for not more than three years.
Probation or parole shall be granted or ordered in the case of a person infected with a venereal disease only on such terms and conditions as shall insure medical treatment therefor and prevent the spread of such disease.
(1) Induce, entice or procure a person to come into the state or to go from the state for the purpose of prostitution or for any immoral purpose or to enter a house of prostitution in the state;
(2) Wilfully or knowingly aid such person in obtaining transportation to or within the state for such purposes;
(3) Place a person in the charge or custody of another person for immoral purposes or in a house of prostitution;
(4) Induce, entice, procure or compel such person to reside in a house of prostitution; or
(5) Induce, entice, procure or compel such person to live a life of prostitution.
(b) A person violating a provision hereof shall be imprisoned not more than ten years nor less than one year or fined not more than $2,000.00 nor less than $200.00, or both.
(1) Induce, entice, procure or compel a person, for the purpose of prostitution or for any other immoral purposes, to enter a house of prostitution;
(2) Receive money or other valuable consideration for or on account of placing a person in a house of prostitution;
(3) Pay money or other valuable consideration to procure a person for the purpose of placing such person for immoral purposes in a house of prostitution, with or without the person's consent; or
(4) Knowingly receive money or other valuable thing for or on account of procuring or placing a person in a house of prostitution for immoral purposes, with or without the person's consent.
(b) A person violating a provision hereof shall be punished as provided in section 2635 of this title.
(1) Hold, detain or restrain a person in a house of prostitution for the purpose of compelling such person, directly or indirectly, by the person's voluntary or involuntary service or labor, to pay, liquidate, or cancel a debt, dues or obligations incurred or claimed to have been incurred in such house of prostitution; or
(2) Accept, receive, levy or appropriate money or other valuable thing from the proceeds or earnings of a person engaged in prostitution.
(b) An acceptance, receipt, levy or appropriation of such money or valuable thing shall be presumptive evidence of lack of consideration.
(c) A person who violates a provision of this section shall be punished as provided in section 2635 of this title.