DSW Staff at the MA State House

Massachusetts has introduced a handful of bills that would improve the rights, health, and safety of sex workers and victims of trafficking in the state. Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) Legal Director Melissa Broudo and Staff Attorney Becca Cleary spent a day in the MA State House meeting with legislators and advocating for passage of the bills. Along with the Boston Sex Workers and Allies Collective (BSWAC), they met with the offices of eleven legislators, including Senators and State Representatives. The meetings were productive and the information shared by advocates was well received by the bi-partisan group of legislators.

Bills to watch in MA include:

* H1980 (Sabadosa): This omnibus legislation decriminalizes sex work in Massachusetts.

* H2467 (Kilcoyne): This bill creates an interagency committee to study decriminalizing sex work.

* H1747 (Higgins): This bill prohibits victims and witnesses who report crime to law enforcement from being prosecuted with certain crimes.

* H2634 (Higgins): This bill prohibits law enforcement officers from having sexual contact with someone in their control.