House body reviewing anti-prostitution bill

The House Committee on Health and Welfare is now refining the amended version of the existing anti-sex trade law, which was conceived due to reports of widespread prostitution practices especially at the Western Garapan district.

Rep. Malua T. Peter said her committee is strictly reviewing the proposed amendment to ensure that concerns raised by the Commonwealth’s law enforcement agencies are properly addressed.

Ms. Peter said all proposals, including those that came from business organizations and the Department of Public Safety, were carefully considered for inclusion in the amended version of the anti-prostitution law.

She said the House of Representatives is hoping to act on the measure swiftly to prevent proliferation of sex trade in the Northern Marianas, which has may soon adversely taint the islands’ image as a family-oriented, wholesome tourist destination.

Although she did not disclose specifics of the bill, Ms. Peter hinted that the new version would include tighter penalties for sex workers and their pimps that may include longer jail term and deportation for non-Americans.

She also dropped strong hints that the proposals submitted by the Department of Public Safety has been incorporated to the amended version of the law.

Ms. Peter hopes to introduce the immediately proposed measure to complement efforts by the Administration against continued operation of the sex trade in the CNMI.

Police Commissioner Charles W. Ingram Jr. previously proposed to deport any non US-citizen found guilty of the first prostitution offense.

Mr. Ingram also suggested that any person arrested for a prostitution-related offense be required to undergo HIV testing as a condition precedent to the issuance of bond for the offense.

The police commissioner also said authorizing law enforcement officers to impound the vehicle of any individual found engaged in prostitution would be helpful.

He wants the amended version of the local anti-prostitution law patterned after the Municipal Code of the City of Tacoma in Washington, which makes it unlawful to either commit or request, or even agree to commit any sexual act with any person for a fee.

DPS wants these things be considered in the amended law as prohibited acts of prostitution:

• to secure or offer to secure another for the purpose of committing any such act;

• to loiter in or near any thoroughfare or place open to the public in a manner and under circumstances manifesting the purpose of inducing, enticing, soliciting or procuring another to commit an act of prostitution;

• to knowingly transport anyone to any place where he or she may commit of for the purpose of committing such act;

• to knowingly receive, offer or agree to receive anyone into any place or building for the purpose of performing any such act, or to knowingly permit anyone to remain there for any such purpose;

to direct anyone to any place for the purpose of committing any such act; or

• to aid, abet or participate in the doing of any such act.
Mr. Ingram also offered ways to determine whether someone is guilty of patronizing a prostitute. This, he added, would discourage people from going out with sex workers and eventually minimize, if not completely eliminate, prostitution from the islands.