Last updated on: 5/4/2018 | Author: ProCon.org

US Federal and State Prostitution Laws and Related Punishments

 

Presented below are federal laws on prostitution, state laws on prostitution, and Nevada county laws on prostitution. Prostitution is illegal in the United States with the exception of 10 Nevada counties. On Nov. 3, 2009, Rhode Island closed a legal loophole that had allowed indoor prostitution to exist since 1980. Most states punish the prostitute and the customer equally; however, nine states have harsher penalties for the customer (CO, KS, MA, MT, NE, NY, NC, TN, UT) and two have harsher penalties for the prostitute (DE, MN).

 

Federal Laws on Prostitution

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State Laws on Prostitution (All 50 states and DC)

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Nevada County Laws on Prostitution

According to Nevada state law it is unlawful for any person to engage in prostitution or solicitation except in a licensed house of prostitution [NRS 201.354]. Brothels are not permitted in a county whose population is 700,000 or more [NRS 244.345]. All prostitutes must use condoms [NAC 441A.805] and be tested weekly for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and monthly for HIV [NAC 441A.800].

 

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