DSW Testifies in Massachusetts on Critical Legislation To Support Sex Worker Health and Safety

In July, staff from Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) traveled to the Massachusetts State House to testify in support of two important bills aimed at protecting the health, safety, and rights of sex workers and survivors of trafficking. These legislative efforts represent vital steps toward more humane, evidence-based approaches to sex work policy in the Commonwealth.

On July 10, DSW offered testimony before the Joint Committee on Public Health in support of H.2467, a bill that would establish an interagency committee to study the decriminalization of sex work in Massachusetts. The proposed committee would include representatives from various state agencies, advocacy groups, direct service organizations, and members of affected communities. Its mission would be to assess the impacts of criminalizing sex work and to develop recommendations on how to better support the health, safety, and autonomy of sex workers. The committee would also examine effective strategies for eliminating human trafficking in the commercial sex sector, centering public health and human rights in its analysis.

Addressing the criminalization of sex work is a complex and multifaceted challenge, and H.2467 acknowledges the need for thoughtful, collaborative policy development rooted in data and lived experience. The creation of this committee would mark a critical step toward understanding the consequences of current laws and identifying practical solutions to reduce harm.

Just five days later, on July 15, DSW testified before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary in support of H.1747, a safe reporting bill designed to improve public safety by encouraging victims and witnesses of crime to come forward without fear of prosecution. This legislation would protect individuals from being charged with certain offenses when they report a crime, ensuring that people involved in the sex trade, regardless of the circumstances that brought them there, can safely seek help from law enforcement. By removing barriers to reporting, H.1747 would enhance trust in public institutions and improve outcomes for communities often overlooked or underserved by the justice system.

Together, these two bills represent a meaningful opportunity for Massachusetts to lead on pragmatic, compassionate policy reform. DSW remains committed to supporting legislation that recognizes sex work as a public health and human rights issue and works to reduce the harms caused by criminalization.