There's a glaring loophole in Utah's laws regarding prostitution. If something other than money is exchanged for sex, it's not illegal.
SB 238, sponsored by Sen. Ann Millner, R-Ogden, seeks to close that loophole by making it illegal to also exchange goods and services for sex.
"What we see happening in some cases is people are exchanging drugs, electronic devices and other things," she says. "This would allow prosecutors to charge someone with prostitution in all of these cases."
Millner says the bill was brought to her by prosecutors who say this sort of non-cash transaction for sex is becoming more and more popular.
She says the bill is a "no brainer."
"The only thing I haven't figured out yet is how to talk about this issue on the Senate floor," she adds with a laugh.
