Is prostitution legal in Maryland?
Maryland prostitution laws make sex work illegal. Recent legislative efforts have made it illegal for officers to engage in sexual acts with anyone in their custody.
Prostitution Laws of Maryland
- § 11-301: Definitions
- § 11-302: Effect of subtitle on other laws
- § 11-303: Pandering
- § 11-304: Receiving earnings of prostitute
- § 11-306: House of prostitution
§ 11-301: Definitions
(a) In general.- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) Assignation.- "Assignation" means the making of an appointment or engagement for prostitution or any act in furtherance of the appointment or engagement.
(c) Prostitution.- "Prostitution" means the performance of a sexual act, sexual contact, or vaginal intercourse for hire.
(d) Sexual act.- "Sexual act" has the meaning stated in § 3-301 of this article.
(e) Sexual contact.- "Sexual contact" has the meaning stated in § 3-301 of this article.
(f) Solicit.- "Solicit" means urging, advising, inducing, encouraging, requesting, or commanding another.
(g) Vaginal intercourse.- "Vaginal intercourse" has the meaning stated in § 3-301 of this article.
§ 11-302: Effect of subtitle on other laws
A person charged with a crime under this subtitle may also be prosecuted and sentenced for violating any other applicable law.
§ 11-303: Pandering
(a) Prohibited - In general.- A person may not knowingly:
(1) take or cause another to be taken to any place for prostitution;
(2) place, cause to be placed, or harbor another in any place for prostitution;
(3) persuade or encourage by threat or promise another to be taken to or placed in any place for prostitution;
(4) unlawfully take or detain another with the intent to use force, threat, or persuasion to compel the other to marry the person or a third person or perform a sexual act, sexual contact, or vaginal intercourse; or
(5) receive consideration to procure for or place in a house of prostitution or elsewhere another with the intent of causing the other to engage in prostitution or assignation.
(b) Same - Consent of parent or guardian.- A parent, guardian, or person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision of another may not consent to the taking or detention of the other for prostitution.
(c) Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of the misdemeanor of pandering and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.
(d) Statute of limitations and in banc review.- A person who violates this section is subject to § 5-106(b) of the Courts Article.
(e) Venue.- A person who violates this section may be charged, tried, and sentenced in any county in or through which the person transported or attempted to transport the other.
§ 11-304: Receiving earnings of prostitute
(a) Prohibited.- A person may not receive or acquire money or proceeds from the earnings of a person engaged in prostitution with the intent to:
(1) promote a crime under this subtitle;
(2) profit from a crime under this subtitle; or
(3) conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, or control of money or proceeds of a crime under this subtitle.
(b) Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.
(c) Statute of limitations and in banc review.- A person who violates this section is subject to § 5-106(b) of the Courts Article.
§ 11-306: House of prostitution
(a) Prohibited.- A person may not knowingly:
(1) engage in prostitution or assignation by any means;
(2) keep, set up, occupy, maintain, or operate a building, structure, or conveyance for prostitution or assignation;
(3) allow a building, structure, or conveyance owned or under the person's control to be used for prostitution or assignation;
(4) allow or agree to allow a person into a building, structure, or conveyance for prostitution or assignation; or
(5) procure or solicit or offer to procure or solicit for prostitution or assignation.
(b) Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.